Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (2024)

  • Resource Center
  • Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (1) Internet

JS
Joe Supan

Aug 10, 2021 — 9 min read

Everything you need to know to take advantage of all the internet deals available for educators and students.

For millions of Americans caught in the digital divide, the overnight shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has presented an enormous challenge.

According to a recent analysis of U.S. census data by The Associated Press, an estimated 17% of U.S. students don’t have access to computers at home, and 18% don’t have a broadband internet connection.

This is often called the homework gap, which refers to students who lack internet access to complete school assignments at home. But as one report on the issue puts it, “The homework gap isn’t just about homework anymore.” More than 50 million public school students were learning remotely last year, and it will likely be a fixture in some form going forward.

On this page: Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (3)

Who is affected by the digital divide and how to help

Internet providers helping to bridge the gap

Other low-income internet discounts

Nonprofits and organizations addressing the homework gap

Who is affected by the digital divide and how to help

While nearly every aspect of education today relies on internet access in some way, the digital divide affects everyone uniquely. This section will go over the needs of different groups, from younger students to libraries, as well as the organizations that are helping them.

K-12 students

Few groups are as impacted by the digital divide as students between kindergarten and 12th grade. According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 6-in-10 students use the internet at their home to do homework every day or almost every day.

Unfortunately, about 15% of U.S. households with school-age children lack a high-speed internet connection, which puts them at a severe disadvantage when it comes to learning. Of course, this has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a June 2020 report from Common Sense Media and the Boston Consulting Group, more than 50 million public school students were learning remotely last year, but nine million of them didn’t have the necessary device or internet connection.

The following groups are currently focused on connecting these K-12 students. You can click on the links to jump down on the page for more information:

  • Internet provider discounts: Altice Advantage, Cox Connect2Compete, Mediacom and WOW! all offer discounts for families with a K-12 student who received reduced price lunches or participate in a government assistance program like SNAP.
  • Affordable Connectivity Program: Anyone with an income that is 200% or less than the federal poverty guidelines can get $30 off home internet each month.
  • Lifeline: Households that have an annual income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines can use the Lifeline program to get $9.95 off their monthly internet bill.
  • The ON IT Foundation: Low-income households with K-12 students can apply through this nonprofit for computers and internet access by writing to the organization directly.

College students

While most of the spotlight from the homework gap is on K-12 students, it also has a major impact on students pursuing college degrees. In a report from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, researchers found that nearly 1 in 5 college students reported technology barriers impacted their participation in online learning. Like most digital divide trends, Black and Hispanic students were disproportionately affected.

Fortunately, there are several great resources available to help keep college students connected. You can click the links below to learn more about each option:

  • Emergency Broadband Benefit: Anyone who qualifies for Lifeline or received a Federal Pell Grant during the current year can get $50 off home internet each month.
  • Lifeline: College students whose annual income is at 135% of federal poverty guidelines or below ($12,880 for one person) can use the Lifeline program to get $9.95 off their monthly internet bill.
  • Xfinity internet: Xfinity offers varying discounts for college students living in their service areas.

Teachers and school administrators

Like students, many teachers are also affected by the homework gap. According to the report from Common Sense Media and the Boston Consulting Group, about 10% of public school teachers — 300K to 400K people — lack adequate internet connectivity to conduct remote learning classes. Here are some resources teachers and administrators can use to keep themselves and their students connected for remote learning:

  • Optimum: The only nationwide internet provider to offer a discount for teachers, Optimum provides 60 days of high-speed internet free, then just $14.99/mo. after that.
  • Project 10Million: This initiative launched by T-Mobile works with school administrators to provide free high-speed data, mobile hotspots and equipment to students participating in the National School Lunch Program
  • Computers for Learning: A federal program that lets teachers and school administrators request refurbished government computer equipment.

Public libraries

For many students without an adequate internet connection, public libraries are often one of the best ways to get online. Often called “anchor institutions” by advocates, libraries serve as gateways to the internet in communities with lower connectivity rates — a function that only got more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a survey from the Public Library Association, a majority of libraries in the U.S. left Wi-Fi on even when the building was closed, and many began placing Wi-Fi access points outside the building and letting patrons check out hotspots.

The FCC recently made more than $7 billion in funds available to schools and libraries through its Emergency Connectivity Fund, which allows them to purchase computer equipment and internet services for students, teachers and library patrons who lack internet access and connected devices. In addition to this, there are several nonprofits and organizations that address the needs of public libraries:

  • Computers for Learning: A federal program that lets public libraries request refurbished government computer equipment.
  • The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA): The NDIA is a coalition of nonprofits and government bodies working to address the digital divide.

Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (4)

Internet providers helping to bridge the gap

Altice Advantage Internet

This discount is available to anyone in a Suddenlink or Optimum service area who has a child in grades K-12 and participates in the National School Lunch Program. It costs $14.99/mo. and gets you 30 Mbps download speeds, free equipment, unlimited data and discounted installation.

Learn more about Altice Advantage Internet Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (5)

Cox

Cox Communications is the third-largest cable provider in the U.S. and has the most generous discounts for students of any provider. Through its Connect2Compete program, Cox offers 50 Mbps of download speed for just $9.95/mo. To qualify, your household must have at least one K-12 student and participate in a government program like SNAP, the National School Lunch Program or rental assistance.

Learn more about Cox’s Connect2Compete discount Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (6)

Mediacom

Like Cox, Mediacom also participates in the Connect2Compete program, but its speeds aren’t quite as generous. You’ll get 25 Mbps of download speeds — the bare minimum to meet the FCC’s definition of broadband — for just $9.95/mo. Only households who have at least one K-12 student and participate in a free or reduced-price school lunch through the National School Lunch Program can get the discounted rate.

Learn more about Mediacom’s Connect2Compete discount

Optimum

Optimum is one of the few internet providers that offers discounts for teachers. Any active and licensed teacher, professor, faculty, instructor or staff member of a U.S. K-12 school, college or university can get 60 days of entirely free 30 Mbps internet. After 60 days, they’ll be charged a discounted rate of $14.99/mo.

Learn more about Optimum’s educator discount Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (7)

Project 10Million from T-Mobile

Created by T-Mobile to address the connectivity challenge for students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Project 10Million works with school administrators to provide free high-speed data, mobile hotspots and equipment to students participating in the National School Lunch Program. While students can’t apply themselves, school districts can enroll on behalf of their students.

Learn more about Project 10Million Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (8)

Verizon Fios

Like Optimum, Verizon Fios also offers discounts to active K-12 teachers. The amount of your Verizon teacher discount depends on which Fios plan you choose. Here’s what you can get:

  • $5 off per month on 200 Mbps or less plans
  • $10 off per month on either 300 Mbps or 400 Mbps plans
  • $15 off per month on either 500 Mbps or Gigabit connection plans

Learn more about Verizon’s teacher discount Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (9)

WOW!

With service limited to the Midwest and southern U.S., WOW! isn’t as large as the other providers we’ve listed, but it does offer some great discounts for students. For just $9.99/mo., you’ll get 50 Mbps of download speeds through WOW! — one of the most generous deals we’ve come across. Like the other discounts listed, you must have a K-12 student participating in the National School Lunch Program to qualify.

Learn more about WOW!’s student discount Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (10)

Xfinity

If you’re a full or part time college student living in an area serviced by Xfinity, you can get discounted internet for as low as $9.95/mo. Xfinity student deals also include a $100 prepaid Visa card and six months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free.

Learn more about Xfinity’s college discounts Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (11)

Other low-income internet discounts

While these programs aren’t targeted towards students or teachers specifically, they offer significantly discounted internet to low-income households across the country. In most cases, you’ll need to qualify for a program like SNAP or reduced lunches to take advantage of them.

  • Access from AT&T: If you participate in a government program like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or National School Lunch and Head Start Programs, or make 135% or less of federal poverty guidelines, you can sign up for AT&T’s reduced-price internet plan. It costs just $10/mo., and you’ll get speeds up to 25 Mbps.
  • Affordable Connectivity Program: Launched in January 2022, the Affordable Connectivity was created by the FCC to keep Americans connected. It provides $30/mo. to eligible households towards their internet bill, plus $100 off a laptop or computer when purchased through an internet provider.
  • Lifeline: This program also provides a discount on your monthly internet bill, but it’s significantly smaller than the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) — just $9.95/mo. for most households. But unlike the EBB, you have the option to use it on a cellphone bill instead of home internet.

Learn more about low-income internet options

Nonprofits and organizations addressing the homework gap

In addition to the resources from the federal government and internet service providers themselves, a number of nonprofit organizations are also working to close the digital divide for students.

PCs for People

PCs for People addresses the digital divide on two fronts: the equipment needed to connect to the internet and the broadband connections themselves. The organization refurbishes old computers that have been donated and distributes them to individuals and organizations. It also uses wireless hotspots to connect people for just $15/mo.

EveryoneOn

While many nonprofits focus on supplying students the equipment they need to get online, EveryoneOn addresses internet access itself. Its flagship program is called Connect2Compete, and it partners with nationwide broadband providers like Cox and Mediacom to deliver high-speed internet at reduced prices for low-income households.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) is one of the most well-known organizations working to expand internet connectivity in the U.S. today. It acts as a central hub for internet nonprofits, technology training and advocacy. If you’re new to the issue and want to find the resources available to you — or just want to get involved by volunteering or donating — this is a great first step.

human-I-T

In an effort to address every aspect of the digital divide, human-I-T provides people with both equipment and internet connections. Their team of staff and volunteers repairs donated devices and gives them to people in need. In addition to this recycling program, human-I-T also assists people looking for affordable internet options in their area.

Computers with Causes

The name says it all with Computer with Causes. The nonprofit organization receives computer donations from individuals and corporations throughout the U.S. and builds computer labs in low-income communities. You can get involved by donating computers in all 50 states.

The ON IT Foundation

Short for ​​Opportunities Necessary to Increase Technology, the ON IT Foundation focuses specifically on closing the homework gap. The nonprofit provides free computers, computer training and broadband internet connections to low-income families with students in grades K-12 that receive a free or reduced school lunch and attend a public school.

Computers for Learning

Computers for Learning is a government program run by the General Services Administration recycles old government computers and donates them to schools and nonprofits around the country. You can apply for equipment like desktops, keyboards and monitors by registering your organization on the Computers for Learning website.

Allconnect: Let us compare providers for you

Why should you choose Allconnect? We’re the #1 broadband marketplace in the U.S, meaning you can trust us to search, compare and order internet and TV service for your home.

Get started

Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (13)

Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (14) Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (15)

Written by:

Joe Supan

Principal Writer, Broadband Content

Joe is a senior writer for CNET covering home technology and broadband. Prior to joining CNET, Joe led MYMOVE’s moving coverage and reported on broadband policy, the digital divide, and privacy issues for the br… Read more

Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (17) Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (18)

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

Read bio

What to read next Read more

  • Featured Digital divide: Organizations that are helping bridge the gap Joe Supan — 5 min read
  • Featured What recent studies show us about the homework gap Taylor Gadsden — 3 min read
  • Featured A community guide to advocating for better broadband services Ari Howard — 7 min read

Latest

  • Monday, July 1, 2024

    The best cities in the U.S. for the fastest internet

    Camryn Smith — 4 min read

  • Monday, July 1, 2024

    What is the digital divide?

    Ari Howard — 5 min read

  • Wednesday, June 26, 2024

    Troubleshooting Wi-Fi connection issues: Why can’t I connect to a network?

    Camryn Smith — 6 min read

Teacher and student internet and tech discounts 2022 | Allconnect (2024)

FAQs

Do college students get discounts on the internet? ›

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government program that acts as a lifeline for students who need affordable internet access. Spearheaded by the Federal Communications Commission, the ACP offers monthly discounts on broadband services from participating ISPs.

Can teachers get discounts? ›

Educators can get education supplier discounts for universities, colleges, and nurseries as well as the opportunity to earn extra money by taking part in research opportunities and paid surveys. To get access to these amazing deals, all you need to do is join Teacher Perks, which is absolutely free!

How to get student discount online? ›

How do I get a student discount? Usually, you just need to show your student ID card in-store. For online buying, you may be required to sign up to a student discount service like Unidays or Student Beans. These sites verify your student status for the retailer.

What is the best Internet provider for college students? ›

College student internet options

If you're a college student in need of reliable and affordable internet options, Spectrum, Xfinity and Frontier may have what you're looking for.

Is T-Mobile internet really $50 a month? ›

Yes. One of the appealing aspects of T-Mobile Home Internet is that its monthly fee -- $60 to $70 a month (or $40 to $50 monthly for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) -- includes a 5G Gateway (a modem/router combo device).

How to get free internet? ›

The FCC Lifeline program can provide reduced-cost or even no-cost internet access. You can go to the Lifeline Support site to check your eligibility and to apply to the program. You can also check out our in-depth analysis of government programs for free and low-cost internet.

Can teachers get an Amazon discount? ›

Amazon: By signing up for a free Amazon Business for Education account, teachers can get access to discounts, flexible payment options and business-only pricing. Apple: Faculty, staff and homeschool teachers of all grade levels can save on Mac, iPad and accessories through their "education pricing."

Do teachers get discounts at Target? ›

Start by verifying your status here. Save your teacher savings Circle offer. You'll see your discount when you checkout in your Target wallet in the store or on Target.com. If you aren't ready to use your 15% coupon, uncheck it from your Target wallet and use it for another purchase at another time.

Does Microsoft give a teacher discount? ›

Shop with a 10% discount. Eligible students, parents, teachers and military can save 10% on select products from Microsoft store. *Discounts may not be combinable, see terms and conditions.

Do students get discounts on streaming services? ›

What are the best streaming services with student discounts? Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Prime offer some of the best student discounts, often providing significant savings and additional benefits like free trial periods or bundled services.

How can I get $10 dollars a month on WiFi? ›

Yes, you can get free or discounted internet with food stamps. Programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and Lifeline offer subsidies to eligible households, potentially lowering your monthly bill to $10 or even making it free. Check with your internet provider or the ACP website to see if you qualify.

What app gives college students discounts? ›

Student Beans is the top-rated money-saving app for students. We've got exclusive discounts you can't find anywhere else and more offers than any other app. Grab a discount code and save money on your shopping!

Can college students get a free hotspot? ›

Installation fees will be waived for new student households. AT&T is providing free access to its WiFI hot spots (Links to an external site.) throughout the country.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kerri Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5733

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kerri Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1992-10-31

Address: Suite 878 3699 Chantelle Roads, Colebury, NC 68599

Phone: +6111989609516

Job: Chief Farming Manager

Hobby: Mycology, Stone skipping, Dowsing, Whittling, Taxidermy, Sand art, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.