Comcast Expands Internet Essentials to Federal Pell Grant Recipients to help even more Low-income Americans Connect to the Internet
Federal Pell Grant expansion will help those pursuing careers requiring post-secondary degrees or technical certifications
September 24, 2021 – Comcast recently announced that the company is expanding eligibility of its Internet Essentials program to now include all Federal Pell Grant recipients within its service area. The expansion will help even more students stay connected as they continue to pursue degrees at colleges, universities and technical schools. The Federal Pell Grant program, established in 1965, is the largest source of federal grant aid for students pursuing a postsecondary education.
Internet Essentials is the nation's largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program for low-income households. It provides low-cost, high-speed residential Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax; the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer; and multiple options to access free digital literacy training in print, online and in person.
"Digital equity is key to success in education and economic mobility, now and into the future," said Broderick Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Executive Vice President, Digital Equity for Comcast. "As our economic, medical, and educational systems become increasingly digital, it's more important than ever that every American gets online. For those young people pursuing higher education, the expansion of IE eligibility to Pell Grant recipients is a real boost."
"One thing this pandemic has taught us is the necessity of digital access for all students," said Maureen Hoyler, President, Council for Opportunity in Education. "By expanding eligibility to include Pell Grant recipients, Internet Essentials has taken an important step towards helping low-income college students realize their postsecondary goals."
Since the launch of Internet Essentials in 2011, the program has helped connect 10 million low-income Americans to broadband Internet at home, most for the very first time. The program is structured as a partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials and nonprofit community partners.
For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast's commitment to education and digital equity, please visit https://corporate.comcast.com/education. To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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Filed Under: Community Investment
Tagged With: Broderick Johnson, Digital Equity, internet essentials, Maureen Hoyler, Pell Grants