Emergency Broadband Benefit Available for Students Qualifying for Free and Reduced Price Meals & All Students at CEP Schools

Schools are asked to make households aware that the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available to any students who qualify for free and reduced price school meals, including all students attending Community Eligibility Provision Schools. Students attending Hardwick Elementary and Lakeview Elementary are attending Community Eligibility Provision schools, therefore all can receive the benefit. The benefit provides up to a $50/month discount on internet service, and a one-time discount on a laptop, tablet or desktop computer. Households can provide their Free and Reduced Meals approval letter from School Year 19-20, 20-21, or 21-22 to qualify for this benefit. 

Our thanks for all families who have submitted Free and Reduced Lunch applications. Many of you will be receiving determination letters in the next week. If you have not yet filled out an application for Free and Reduced meals, you can do so at mymealtime.com, or via this form: https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-nutrition-meal-application-2021-2022.pdf 

As a reminder, all meals are provided for free to all students for SY21-22, thanks to a waiver from the USDA. However, Free and Reduced lunch status is required in most cases for students to receive the above broadband benefit and Pandemic-EBT assistance. These numbers are also an integral component in determining how much federal funding our schools receive. If you have any questions, you can contact Annie Houston, Grants Manager, at ahouston@ossu.org, or via phone: 802-472-2925.