March 22, 2023
Dear Technology Coordinators,
As you may be aware, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month off their internet bills (or up to $75 per month for households living on Tribal lands), as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 off an eligible connected device like a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. In many cases, households can get high-speed internet without paying a dime by choosing a fully covered internet plan.
To assist outreach with the ACP; we wanted to send a reminder that a household is eligible to participate in the ACP if a child in the household receives free or reduced-price school meals. Under the ACP rules, every household with a child attending a school participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program is eligible for ACP benefits is eligible for ACP benefits.
To apply, households will need documentation, such as an official, individualized letter from the CEP school stating that the student is enrolled at a CEP-participating school. The documentation must also include the student’s name, the relevant school year, the name and address of the school, and school contact information. We also recommend that schools include a unique number in the letter to enable the ACP administrator to confirm its authenticity if needed.
For your convenience, we have attached a template verification letter School Districts can use as documentation for families.
Households can learn more and apply for the ACP at GetInternet.gov. There is a pull down menu to choose which government assistance program your household participates in: Enrollment at a USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) School is listed as an option.
While this reminder is specific to schools that are participating in CEP, additional information about eligibility for CEP discount benefits can be found in the School Outreach Toolkit (available in English in PDF/Word and Spanish in PDF/Word) which provides information about other ways households can qualify for the ACP—including through an individual student’s participation in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program providing free or reduced price meals; through a household member’s participation in a wide range of other Federal assistance programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and many others; or based on the household’s income (up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level).
OSPI Educational Technology Department
Any questions about this email can be directed to:
Ana Ketch she/her
Federal Education Funding Optimization Program Specialist