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Legislative bills

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

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Senators Amy Klobuchar, Mazie K. Hirono, Gary Peters, and Jacky Rosen have introduced the Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act, which aims to provide financial assistance to college students who cannot afford high-speed internet and essential equipment such as laptops and tablets. The bill would allocate $1 billion to establish an Emergency Higher Education Connectivity fund to 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 home internet connectivity to students. The legislation would also prioritize students eligible for need-based financial aid, such as Pell Grants.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act would provide $1 billion in funding to establish an Emergency Higher Education Connectivity fund to help colleges and universities provide high-speed internet to students in need.
  • The bill would prioritize students eligible for need-based financial aid, such as Pell Grants.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by 60 organizations, including Higher Learning Advocates, ED2WORK, Student Veterans of America, The Education Trust, and National Urban League.
  • Senators Klobuchar, Hirono, Peters, and Rosen have introduced the bill in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the need for high-speed internet access for college students.
  • The bill is part of a larger effort by Senator Klobuchar to address the digital divide in the United States, including her previous bipartisan legislation to sustain rural broadband connectivity during the pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 14 million estimated households in the United States do not have any internet access (Hirono).
  • 60 organizations have endorsed the Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act.
  • $1 billion would be allocated to establish the Emergency Higher Education Connectivity fund.
  • 10% of college student households lack broadband access, and 25% are considered to be online learning "laggards" (Rosen).

Sources:

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar, "Klobuchar, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Ensure College Students Have Access to High-Speed Internet During Pandemic," March 20, 2020.
  • Senator Mazie K. Hirono, "Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Ensure College Students Have Access to High-Speed Internet During Pandemic," March 20, 2020.
  • Senator Gary Peters, "Peters, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Ensure College Students Have Access to High-Speed Internet During Pandemic," March 20, 2020.
  • Senator Jacky Rosen, "Rosen, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Ensure College Students Have Access to High-Speed Internet During Pandemic," March 20, 2020.
  • Letter from Senators Klobuchar, Hirono, Peters, and Rosen to Senate Majority Leader McConnell, Speaker of the House Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and House Minority Leader McCarthy, April 2020.
  • Letter from Senator Ed Markey to Senate Majority Leader McConnell, House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and House Minority Leader McCarthy, April 2020.

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