UMGC Blog Providing Devices & Wi-Fi for Those Who Need Them

In partnership with Public Wireless, UMGC is now helping to equip low-income students with internet-linked wireless Android tablets at no cost to them.

The Federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides qualifying individuals with the devices they need for school, work, healthcare, and more. UMGC and Public Wireless have teamed up to offer broadband services and internet connectivity to eligible stateside UMGC students and alumni through the ACP.

“UMGC is committed to equal access to affordable, quality online programs and student services,” said Susanna Driver, assistant vice president for student engagement and programming at UMGC. “By linking our students to this resource, we aim to remove technology access barriers caused by financial restraints. The addition of an extra device could make all the difference to a household with family members sharing a single computer.”

What the ACP Offers

Qualifying individuals can receive a Wi-Fi-enabled, 10-inch wireless tablet featuring the Android 12 operating system. Public Wireless will also ship the devices and provide technical support at no charge to students. Once the tablet has been issued, there are no requirements to return the device at any time.

Eligible households can also receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the purchase of a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Who’s Eligible for the Program

To qualify for the ACP, individuals must be U.S. citizens with a physical address in the United States. To meet the income requirement, UMGC students can use Pell Grant eligibility, which is determined by applying for federal financial aid, or be enrolled in another federal program that has previously evaluated their income levels.

A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or if a member of the household meets at least one of the eligibility criteria.

Making Education More Affordable

UMGC is committed to helping as many students as possible realize the dream of earning their degree. We offer multiple ways for you to meet, manage, and reduce the cost of education. Our affordable tuition and financing options are designed to fit your budget.

We offer more than 140 need- and merit-based scholarships, such as the Maryland Completion Scholarship, which enables Maryland community college graduates to earn a bachelor’s degree for $12,000 or less. We also provide resources and guidance to help you find the scholarships you may qualify for.

In addition, UMGC saves students an average of more than $1,200 per year* by replacing bulky, expensive textbooks with no-cost digital course materials in nearly every course.