Reduce Your Broadband Bill – Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Students may be able to reduce their broadband bill. Please share the following information with them…

On May 12, 2021, low-income households may begin applying for and enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program offered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If your household is eligible, you can temporarily reduce your broadband bill by up to $50 per month and receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10, but less than $50).

A household can qualify for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program if it has an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or if any member of the household:

• Received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year;
• Qualifies for Lifeline benefits through participation in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance or Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit;
• Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 with a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
• Received approval for 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;
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program, and that provider received FCC approval for its eligibility verification process; or
• Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

For additional information and to apply, please visit https://getemergencybroadband.org/.

If you would like to learn more about other resources that may be available, please contact NOVA’s Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers. You are also encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about financial aid or if you would like assistance with applying for federal, state or institutional aid.

Submitted by:
Clint Young, Financial Aid & Support Services, JCYoung@nvcc.edu