Programs Aimed at Assisting Pell & Other Eligible Students

The federal government announced a new program aimed at assisting Pell Grant receipients with accessing the internet and an expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help students experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic. 

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a May 12 start date for its Emergency Broadband Benefit Program that aims to provide subsidies for students struggling to pay for internet amid the pandemic. The program, first established in February, will allow eligible households — which include those with a Pell Grant recipient or that have experienced significant income loss since February 2020 — to receive substantially subsidized broadband service ($50 monthly subsidy for most, $75 monthly subsidy for those on tribal lands) and devices ($100 one-time subsidy for a device). The agency is urging students to familiarize themselves with the registration process so that, come May 12, they'll be able to enroll and work through the FCC verification process as soon as the program is live.

Learn more at https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Expanded SNAP Benefits

SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of high-need families and individuals so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. Most SNAP eligibility rules apply to all households, but there are some special rules for students attending an institution of higher education that are described on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 temporarily expanded student eligibility to new groups from January 16, 2021 through the end of the public health emergency. The new, temporary change to student eligibility means that certain students who were not eligible for SNAP before may now be eligible. 

Visit the USDA website for eligibility information and a list of frequently asked questions.