NASFAA Urges FCC to Implement Simple Verification Process for Emergency Broadband Program

NASFAA, in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is urging the agency to make the verification process for a newly available benefit for federal Pell Grant recipients as simple as possible, so as not to deter qualified applicants from participating in the program. Under the emergency program, which was included in a year-end spending package, households where at least one member has received a Pell Grant in the current award year are eligible to receive a discount off the cost of broadband service. While NASFAA would like the agency to rely on a computer matching agreement between the FCC and the Department of Education — along with consideration of establishing a permanent broadband benefit program in the long-term — we have proposed a number of guidelines for the FCC to consider in distributing the emergency benefit to eligible applicants.

Publication Date: 1/26/2021

Jodi C | 1/26/2021 12:34:54 PM

How do eligible students apply for this benefit? Is there an application to complete and how are the applications distributed?

Joel T | 1/26/2021 9:56:00 AM

"While NASFAA would like the agency to rely on a computer matching agreement between the FCC and the Department of Education — along with consideration of establishing a permanent broadband benefit program in the long-term..."

That's an interesting position. We're struggling to get adequate funding for student financial aid programs and NASFAA is advocating for another program to try and fund?

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NASFAA Urges FCC to Implement Simple Verification Process for Emergency Broadband Program

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