Senators Introduce Legislation to Ensure College Students Have Access to High-Speed Internet During Pandemic

Strategic Insights -

United States senators have introduced legislation to provide emergency funding for college students to access high-speed internet and essential equipment, such as laptops and tablets, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act aims to bridge the digital divide affecting many students and ensure they can continue their education remotely.

Key Takeaways:

  • The legislation, introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar, Mazie K. Hirono, Gary Peters, and Jacky Rosen, would provide $1 billion to establish an Emergency Higher Education Connectivity fund at the National Telecommunications Information Administration.
  • The fund would help historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions, as well as rural-serving institutions, provide high-speed internet connectivity to students in need.
  • Institutions that receive funding must prioritize students eligible for need-based financial aid, such as Pell Grants.
  • The bill is endorsed by 60 groups, including Higher Learning Advocates, ED2WORK, Student Veterans of America, The Education Trust, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
  • In March 2020, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Kevin Cramer introduced bipartisan legislation to sustain rural broadband connectivity during the coronavirus pandemic, which would appropriate $2 billion for a temporary Keeping Critical Connections fund at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Statistics:

  • Over 14 million households in the US lack any internet access.
  • The bill aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity to students in need, prioritizing those eligible for need-based financial aid.
  • The legislation would appropriate $1 billion to establish an Emergency Higher Education Connectivity fund.
  • The fund would support historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions, as well as rural-serving institutions.
  • 60 organizations endorse the bill, including six national associations of higher education institutions and 54 educational and advocacy groups.
  • In March 2020, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Kevin Cramer introduced bipartisan legislation to sustain rural broadband connectivity during the coronavirus pandemic, which would appropriate $2 billion for a temporary Keeping Critical Connections fund at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Sources:

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) press release, May 14
  • Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) press release, May 14
  • Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) press release, May 14
  • Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) press release, May 14
  • Letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, April 2020
  • Letter to Senate Majority Leader McConnell, House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and House Minority Leader McCarthy, March 2020
  • Letter to Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), March 2020
  • Letter to Senate Majority Leader McConnell, Commerce Committee Chairman Wicker, March 2020
  • Letter to FCC, March 2020