Some free and discounted internet is still available to students in the United States, but no single national program covers every family. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is over, so the realistic routes now are school and district programs, T-Mobile’s Project 10Million for eligible K–12 households, the federal Lifeline discount, low-cost plans from providers such as Xfinity and AT&T, and a few city programs. Which of these applies to you depends on your household’s eligibility, your student’s grade, your street address, and whether a local program is still taking enrollments. This guide reflects the program status we could confirm as of October 2026, and the offers below can change without notice.
Start by knowing what is no longer available
The Affordable Connectivity Program ended on June 1, 2024. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers federal low-income telecommunications programs, states plainly: “The ACP ended on June 1, 2024, due to a lack of additional funding from Congress.” The Federal Communications Commission’s 2024 order records that more than 23 million low-income households received ACP support during its two years, and that millions of those households lost the benefit starting June 1, 2024. That figure describes past participation, not current enrollment.
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Many state pages, provider pages, and search results still describe the old ACP benefit of up to $30 a month for broadband, or up to $75 a month on qualifying Tribal lands. Those amounts are historical. There is no ACP application to submit, and a page offering to sign you up for ACP is out of date.
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Start with your child’s school or district
For most families, the school is the fastest route to a free device, hotspot, or service. Districts set their own programs, so a neighboring district may offer something yours does not. When you contact the school:
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- Ask the counselor, the family liaison, or the district technology office whether the district loans hotspots or provides home internet service.
- Ask whether an enrollment window is open now, and when the next one opens.
- Ask which documents or benefit letters they accept as proof of eligibility.
- Ask whether the school can connect you to a digital navigator or community technology program.
Do not assume a nationwide school entitlement exists. Schools can confirm only what their own district offers.
T-Mobile Project 10Million for eligible K–12 households
T-Mobile’s Project 10Million page advertises “free internet for students” for qualifying student households. The offer includes a free hotspot and annual data. Households can qualify with National School Lunch Program participation, and T-Mobile lists other qualifying programs as acceptable evidence. The offer is limited to one per household.
Three points matter before you apply:
- Allocation caps. T-Mobile states that state allocations can fill, which pauses new activations until the next July 1.
- The data amount. The annual data allowance is a limited amount, not unlimited home broadband. Older flyers and search snippets sometimes show different figures, so use the number on T-Mobile’s current page.
- Coverage. A hotspot needs cellular signal at your home. Test it in the room where your student will study before you rely on it for class.
Lifeline: a federal monthly discount
Lifeline is the one long-running federal program still open to most low-income households. It is a discount, not free service. USAC lists up to $9.25 per month toward internet or bundled service. For eligible people living on Tribal lands, the enhanced benefit is up to $34.25 per month.
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USAC’s Lifeline FAQ answers the question most families ask, “How can I qualify?” The general path is:
- Confirm eligibility. You can qualify through certain benefit programs, including SNAP or Medicaid, or through income. USAC says qualification through a child or dependent is possible, so a student’s enrollment in a qualifying program can count.
- Apply. You can apply online, by mail, or with help from a participating company.
- Claim the benefit. Approval alone does not reduce your bill. Contact a participating phone or internet company and ask them to apply Lifeline to your service.
- Recertify each year. Lifeline requires annual recertification, so mark the renewal date when you enroll.
Low-cost plans from internet providers
Two national providers offer low-cost home internet plans for qualifying households. Their terms and prices change, so confirm them on the provider’s page before you sign up. Both require an address check.
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Xfinity currently advertises Internet Essentials plans starting at $14.95 per month for qualifying customers. To qualify, you need:
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- Xfinity internet available at your address.
- Participation in a qualifying assistance program.
- No Xfinity internet service in the last 90 days.
- No outstanding Comcast debt that is less than a year old.
The service-history and debt rules are the most common reason an application is turned down, so check them before you apply.
AT&T Access
AT&T Access is marketed as low-cost home internet for qualifying households. AT&T states that availability is limited, so start by entering your address on AT&T’s Access page. Then confirm which qualifying route applies to you. The monthly price is not stated in the material we reviewed, so get the exact figure from AT&T before comparing it with other plans.
City programs: check whether yours is enrolling
Some cities run their own student connectivity programs. These can be the best option where they exist, but their enrollment status changes, so confirm it directly with the city or school district.
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Philadelphia: PHLConnectED
PHLConnectED helps eligible pre-K through 12 student households explore free and low-cost internet options, including T-Mobile hotspots. Families can also connect with Digital Navigators through 311, the city’s non-emergency line. Ask the navigator to check every option against your address, since the best fit depends on what is available where you live.
Chicago: Chicago Connected
Chicago Connected shows why local dates matter. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) states: “The City of Chicago is funding the Chicago Connected program for another year (SY26-27) for families currently enrolled.” The CPS page also says that no new families can enroll. If your family is already in the program, you can continue for the 2026–27 school year. If you are not, look at the other options in this guide.
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CPS reports that 17,000 families have enrolled and that nearly 228,000 students had their eligibility expanded through the program. These are CPS figures for Chicago only, not national totals.
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A hotspot is a backup, not the first step
A separate portable hotspot is a device that connects to a cellular network. It still needs a data plan and cellular coverage where you live. If a school or student program already supplies a hotspot and service at no cost, use that first. Buy your own device only after you have checked that your home has a usable cellular signal and that the data plan fits what your student needs.
Compare the options side by side
| Option | Who it is for | Monthly cost | Status and limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | Households qualifying through SNAP, Medicaid, income, or a child or dependent’s qualifying program | Up to $9.25 toward internet or bundled service; up to $34.25 for eligible Tribal lands (USAC) | A discount, not free service; you must claim it with a participating company; annual recertification |
| T-Mobile Project 10Million | Eligible K–12 student households, including those in the National School Lunch Program | Free hotspot and annual data; the data amount is on T-Mobile’s current page | One offer per household; state allocations can fill and pause until the next July 1 |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | Qualifying households with Xfinity service at their address | From $14.95 per month, as advertised by Xfinity | No Xfinity internet in the last 90 days; no Comcast debt under a year old |
| AT&T Access | Qualifying households at addresses AT&T serves | Not stated in the material reviewed; confirm with AT&T | Availability is explicitly limited |
| PHLConnectED (Philadelphia) | Eligible pre-K through 12 student households in Philadelphia | Varies by option; not stated | Helps families explore options and connects them with Digital Navigators through 311 |
| Chicago Connected | Families already enrolled in the program | Not stated | Continues for SY26-27 for currently enrolled families; no new families can enroll |
Before you commit, check these points
- Eligibility route. Confirm which benefit or income test you meet and whether it applies to your household or your student.
- Enrollment status. Verify that the program is accepting applications now.
- Address coverage. Enter your exact address, not your mailing address alone.
- Monthly cost and post-promotion cost. Find out what you pay after any introductory period.
- Data, speed, and prioritization. A free hotspot with a limited annual allowance is not the same as unlimited home broadband. Do not assume a plan can support daily video classes until you have checked its data and usage limits.
- Equipment, shipping, installation, and taxes. Ask whether the modem, router, or hotspot costs extra, and whether installation is required.
- Service history and debts. Check for recent-service restrictions and unpaid balances with the provider.
- Offer duration. Find out how long the offer lasts and when you must recertify.
If one of these options fits your household, apply to it first, then keep the others as a fallback in case funding or enrollment changes.
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