The following federal program is being shared as a benefit for our London City Schools families. Please use the links included in the release to access more information.
Over the past year of the pandemic, the need for universal broadband has never been more necessary for schools and families. In the words of Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the internet has become a need-to-have, "from work to healthcare to education, this crisis has made it clear that without an internet connection too many households are locked out of modern life. It’s more apparent than ever that broadband is no longer nice-to-have. It’s need-to-have.”
The FCC has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides 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. Among other eligible statuses, all students who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, as well as all students in a Community Eligibility Provision school, are eligible for the benefit. Share this flyer, available in color and black and white, with your families.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.
Families seeking assistance can also contact the RemotEDx Connectivity Champions who will guide families through the application process. Connectivity Champions can be reached by phone at 844-512-6446, email at connectme@ohio-k12.help, or through the web at https://www.ohio-k12.help/remotedx .