WASHINGTON –Today, Representatives Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Doris Matsui (CA-6), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At-Large), and Alma S. Adams (NC-12) introduced legislation to establish a new program to support college students who are unable to participate in distance learning.

The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act provides $1 billion to colleges and universities to pay for at-home internet connections for students in need.  Higher education institutions can use the funding to pay for routers, modems, wi-fi hotspots, tablets, or laptops, as well as monthly broadband service for students.  Funding would be prioritized for historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions, as well as rural-serving institutions.  Institutions receiving funding must prioritize students eligible for need-based financial aid, such as Pell Grants, or means-tested social safety net programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.

A companion measure was introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

“College students without adequate technology or access to internet are at risk of falling behind as their classrooms go virtual due to the pandemic,” said Rep. Fudge.  “This is especially true at HBCUs and other Minority-Serving Institutions, which play a critical role in unlocking higher education opportunities for millions of students of color.  I’m proud to join Congresswoman Eshoo in introducing legislation to ensure underrepresented and minority students do not fall through the cracks during this and future crises.”

“As colleges and universities around our country continue to operate remotely, we must help students who are most in need to continue their education,” said Rep. Eshoo. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to provide funding to higher education institutions so that they can support the students who are in greatest need by directly paying for broadband plans, equipment needed to connect to the internet, and internet-connected devices.”

The bill is supported by 60 groups: Higher Learning Advocates, The Education Trust, National Urban League, American Council on Education, National Action Network, UnidosUS, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens, United Negro College Fund, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, OCA- Asian Pacific American Advocates, MediaJustice, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Student Veterans of America, Young Invincibles, Students United, Public Knowledge, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Schools Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, National League of Cities, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, New America's Higher Education Program, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, EDUCAUSE, College Forward, National Skills Coalition, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, America Forward, Institute for Higher Education Policy, Association of Community College Trustees, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Council for Opportunity in Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Distance Education Accrediting Commission, National Association of College and University Business Officers, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, ED2WORK, National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment, ACT, Inc., The Graduate! Network, Inc., uAspire, Rebuilding America's Middle Class, WASC Senior College and University Commission, New England Commission of Higher Education, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, LeadMN, Breakthrough Central Texas, San Antonio Education Partnership, Nashville State Community College Foundation, St. Louis Graduates, University of California Student Association, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Cornell Student Assembly, CUNY University Student Senate, Greater Memphis Chamber, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

###