As we prepare for a successful new school year, IDEA aims to leverage 1:1 computer access to help students learn at home, close the homework gap, and ready to be successful in college, career, and a technology-centered world.
IDEA’s 1:1 Program provides each student with a school-issued device for use throughout the school year, thereby creating new opportunities for students to learn. This allows students to extend the learning day and boost the home-to-school connection, giving families more real-time feedback on their child’s learning. This program is part of our commitment to support students with the highest quality education on the path to and through college.
To ensure student success with our 1:1 Program, families must have the tools and resources needed to keep devices working properly, including reliable internet access. The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a temporary Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that will help households struggling to afford internet service during the pandemic and enable students to:
- Communicate with teachers
- Access and complete assignments at home
- Engage in individualized learning through provided applications
About the Emergency Broadband Benefit
The EBB will provide a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The EBB is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Learn more about eligibility and how to apply at fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit. Eligible households can also enroll through an approved provider or by visiting GetEmergencyBroadband.org. Families can also follow the step-by-step instructions to apply using the EBB infographics below.
See this list of broadband providers that have elected to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. If you are in areas not serviced by eligible providers or unable to secure internet service through the EBB, IDEA will work to leverage available resources to ensure students have internet access from home however possible.
