Last week, the FCC voted to reform the $1.5 billion per year phone subsidy program called Lifeline to provide a subsidy for the cost of broadband service to help low-income Americans get online. This may help students get on-line broadband service because families with students in the National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program qualify for this subsidy. Schools may wish to communicate with families who participate in the Free Lunch Program to ensure they are aware of the options available.

Eligible low-income households would be able to use the provided $9.25 per month subsidy to purchase standalone broadband service, voice-only service or apply it to bundled voice and broadband service.  This means that five to 15 million additional low-income Americans will have access to almost-free Internet service.