Student success, educational excellence, and inclusion all depend greatly on equitable access to the modern tools needed to earn an education. Now eligible Wayne State University students can get discounted access to home internet thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a benefits program from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that was created as an extension of the Lifeline Program and in response to shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The new program began in early 2022 and partners with industry service providers to grant two types of discounts per household—one for a monthly-charged service, and another for a one-time purchase. Qualifying Wayne State students can receive up to $30 per month (up to $75 per month for Tribal lands) in discounts toward a home Wi-Fi connection and up to $100 towards a laptop or desktop computer or a tablet (one per household). 

“It’s a big perk for students who are [living] on their own or who do not have family who can support them financially,” said Engineering Student Senate President Kelly Whitlock, who takes advantage of ACP herself for home internet with Xfinity and encourages other Warriors to follow suit. 

“ACP has given me access to a faster Wi-Fi connection that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and that ensures I can properly run the software I need for my courses,” said Whitlock. 

To be eligible for the ACP, household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or have at least one member who meets at least one of the criteria listed at fcc.gov/acp.  Students can see if they qualify for the ACP at kb.wayne.edu/500486. 

The ACP partners with Verizon, AT&T, Comcast/Xfinity, and others to provide these services. Students can enroll by contacting their chosen provider and going to AffordableConnectivity.gov. 

Aside from the ACP, Wayne State Computing and Information Technology (C&IT) provides resources to support student access to technology. Learn more at tech.wayne.edu/remote/student. 

Computing and Information Technology (C&IT) is Wayne State’s central IT organization and a division of Academic Affairs. Contact us at cit@wayne.edu or 313-577-4357.