$30 federal Affordable Connectivity Program credit would cover the cost of Internet Essentials, making broadband access free for eligible students
August 19, 2022 – University of Illinois students who receive Pell Grants may be automatically eligible for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a monthly $30 credit toward the cost of Internet and/or mobile service. The $30 ACP credit can be used to cover the cost of Internet Essentials and Internet Essentials Plus, Comcast programs that provide broadband Internet service, including a modem and access to millions of WiFi hotspots, to eligible low-income college students receiving Pell Grants, as well as households with grammar and high school students, seniors, veterans, public housing residents, people with disabilities and others enrolled in an array of government assistance programs.
According to a national study by Educationdata.org, 34% of undergraduate students nationwide – or around 6.2 million students – received Pell Grants in the 2020-2021 school year – nearly 265,000 in Illinois alone.
“The cost of college today is out of reach for many Americans. Low-income students need help not only with tuition, they need help with related costs, including Internet service,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region Senior Vice President. “The ACP is a lifeline for these students, and Comcast is proud to participate in it and help college students get online.”
For more information about Internet and other services locally available and ACP, visit the Xfinity booth at the following events in Champaign, IL:
- County Market, August 18-20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and August 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 331 E. Stoughton St.;
- Lofts54, August 18-20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and August 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 309 E. Green St.;
- University Group, August 18, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and August 20, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 309 S. 1st; and
- Illini Frenzy, August 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Campus Recreation, located at 201 E. Peabody Dr. in the ARC Parking Lot (E-24).
In addition, new and existing customers can visit xfinity.com/acp or visit the Champaign Xfinity Store at 2000 N. Neil St. in the Market Place Shopping Center for more information about Internet Essentials and ACP.