UND Center for Rural Health broadband program provides internet access to North Dakota households

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences is pleased to announce the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is now available throughout North Dakota. ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. Another program benefit allows eligible households to receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

“Access to healthcare takes on new meaning in a digital age, as we see the importance of broadband for rural and tribal communities to better access healthcare services and health information," said Brad Gibbens, acting director of the Center for Rural Health. “The ACP is a significant step in leveling the playing field in rural North Dakota. In the 1930s, the federal government invested in creating access to electricity and telephones that significantly improved the lives of rural people, and now through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021, we are again remembering the importance of rural citizens. Rural and tribal populations deserve the same treatment as urban citizens.”

The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Eligibility
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

1. Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
2. Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program.
3. Participates in one of these assistance programs:

• • The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision
  • SNAP
  • Medicaid
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • WIC
  • Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
  • Lifeline
  • Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribal TANF
  • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
  • Tribal Head Start (income based)

How to Enroll
It only takes two steps to enroll for this program.

1. Go to AffordableConnectivity.gov to submit an application or print out a mail-in application.
2. Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

Some providers may have an alternative application they will ask you to complete. Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

Internet Service Providers
Various internet providers, including those offering landline and wireless internet service, are participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program. Find internet service providers offering the benefit in North Dakota.

Established in 1980 at the University of North Dakota, the Center for Rural Health is one of the nation’s most experienced rural health organizations. It has developed a full complement of programs to assist researchers, educators, policymakers, healthcare providers, and most important, rural residents to address changing rural environments by identifying and researching rural health issues, analyzing health policy, strengthening local capabilities, developing community-based alternatives, and advocating for rural concerns. For more information, visit RuralHealth.und.edu.

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Jena Pierce
Communications Manager | Center for Rural Health
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.4205 direct | 701.777.3848 main
jena.pierce@UND.edu