Whether you’re tackling the upcoming college semester remotely, heading to high school for the first time or in the midst of middle school, a new school year is drawing near — and whether or not you’ll be engaging in any remote learning this time around, you’re going to want a reliable, affordable internet connection at home. Good connections usually don’t come cheap, but there are a number of broadband discounts available that might help ease the financial burden on you and your family.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Here’s where you should start
Before digging into the provider-specific deals out there, it’s best to start with federal programs that may be of use no matter which internet provider services the area in which you live or go to school. If you or anyone in your household participates in Federal Public Housing Assistance, the National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or other qualifying federal programs, you will likely be eligible.
First off is Lifeline, a program that’s been around since 1985. It’s often viewed as a program for seniors — participation in Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income are among some of the qualifiers — but Lifeline is really intended to offer assistance for low-income households. That makes it a viable option for families with K-12 kids or for college students out on their own. Eligibility factors include income that’s 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines, or participation in federal assistance programs like FPHA or SNAP.
Once you qualify, you get a discount of up to $9.25 a month on your internet bill. That’s $111 a year off your broadband costs.
If you qualify for Lifeline, you’re also eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which is a government subsidy program set up by the Federal Communications Commission. Qualified households will receive a monthly discount on the cost of broadband service from participating internet service providers.
You can use the EBB toward the programs listed below and it might fully cover your monthly charge. Or, you could also opt to use the EBB to pay for a faster plan with more megabits per second.
Finally, let me share a note of caution: Beware the “student deals” pages on some ISP sites. Many are just glorified ads masquerading as helpful tips. Instead of showing you legitimate discounts or unveiling special deals, they’re trying to sell you on higher-speed plans. So, definitely use some discernment as you shop.
Now, without further ado, here are some of your options.
Top internet deals and discounts for students
AT&T
Access from AT&T
Jim Lane/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
This program features up to 25Mbps download speeds for $5-$10 a month for limited-income households within AT&T’s 21-state footprint. There are no contracts, data overage charges or installation fees, and AT&T provides a Wi-Fi modem free of charge. You may apply via income status or participation in Head Start, NSLP or SNAP.
Cox
Connect2Compete
Cox
Participants in this program will receive up to 50Mbps download speeds for $10 a month. This is aimed at families with school-aged children (K-12) that receive government assistance (including NSLP, SNAP, TANF or public housing). Cox’s offer includes no contracts, free installation and Wi-Fi modem rental at no charge.
Kinetic by Windstream
Lifeline promotion
Kinetic by Windstream
New customers to Kinetic by Windstream who are also eligible for Lifeline will receive two months of internet service for free. There are also no data caps, no contracts and a waived activation fee.
Mediacom
Connect2Compete
Mediacom
Mediacom’s offering shares a name with Cox’s low-income plan, but is a different discount program. It features up to 25Mbps download speeds for $10 a month. No deposit is required and there are no contracts. Your installation, equipment rental and Wi-Fi modem are free as well. To be a qualifying household you must have at least one student in K-12 and at least one child in NSLP.
Optimum
Altice Advantage Internet
Optimum
For $15 a month, participants will receive up to 30Mbps download speeds as well as a free smart router and modem, unlimited data, discounted installation and no contracts. You may be eligible if you or anyone in your household participates in NSLP or is a New York City resident and attends a New York City public school.
Sparklight
COVID-19 relief measures
Sparklight
Sparklight is extending an offer to assist low-income families as well as high school and college students. It will make its 15Mbps plan available for $10 a month for three months.
T-Mobile
Project 10Million
Sarah Tew/CNET
This special program is available for students K-12 who are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. The application process typically goes through school administrators, but parents and guardians can apply on behalf of their child’s school. All eligible students will receive 100GB a year and a free mobile hotspot for at least five years. There’s also the option to use the money value ($500 a year) toward a larger data plan and pay the rest out of pocket. Considering the average household uses more than 400GB a month, that’ll probably be the way to go for most families.
Xfinity
Student-exclusive University Offer
Angela Lang/CNET
Xfinity offers college students a deal where they can get up to $100 in a Visa Prepaid Card, free self-installation and six months of Amazon Music Unlimited. Further details will depend upon your area and verifying your student status. Offer not available to students living in on-campus housing.
Xfinity
Internet Essentials
Ry Crist/CNET
This plan features up to 50Mbps download speeds for $10 a month and no installation fee for participants in NSLP, public housing, SNAP or TANF. Also, now through Dec. 31, eligible new customers can receive 60 days of free service.
More internet advice
Best satellite internet providers of 2021Best fiber internet providers of 2021Best internet provider for rural areasHow fast is your internet connection? Here’s an easy way to find outComcast Xfinity vs. Spectrum: Which is better for cable internet?
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this website, as i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this site
conations genuinely pleasant funny stuff too.
It’s an amazing piece of writing for all the web users; they will obtain advantage from it I am sure.
Great article! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i am glad studying your article.
However should statement on few common things, The website style is
wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Excellent
process, cheers
Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog.
Im really impressed by your site.
Hello there, You have performed an excellent job.
I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
I’m sure they will be benefited from this web site.
Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!
What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your affiliate
hyperlink to your host? I desire my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
First off I would like to say awesome blog! I had a quick
question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear
your mind before writing. I’ve had a difficult time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I truly do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are
generally lost just trying to figure out
how to begin. Any recommendations or tips? Kudos! quest bars http://bit.ly/3jZgEA2 quest bars
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different
subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design.
Wonderful choice of colors! scoliosis surgery https://coub.com/stories/962966-scoliosis-surgery scoliosis surgery
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Fantastic work! ps4 https://bit.ly/3z5HwTp ps4 games
Thanks for sharing such a nice thinking, piece of writing is
fastidious, thats why i have read it entirely scoliosis surgery https://0401mm.tumblr.com/ scoliosis surgery
Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse
your site on my iphone during lunch break.
I really like the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look
when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my
cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
Anyhow, fantastic blog! cheap flights http://1704milesapart.tumblr.com/ cheap
flights