Other Assistance Resources for Students

ND Rent Help can assist low- to moderate-income households (including off-campus students if they worked and their employment was affected during the pandemic). The program’s purpose is to prevent evictions and help with housing and financial stability for renters who fell behind in their rent and utilities during the pandemic.

 Links to ND Rent Help information:

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

Emergency Broadband Benefit Outreach Toolkit.

Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is administered by USAC, Universal Service Administrative Co.

Internet Essentials offers affordable high-speed home internet for eligible households.

Federal Pell Grant recipients can qualify for reduced internet from Comcast through Internet Essentials offering. Students who qualify for the Pell Grant could get internet for as low as $10 a month through the company. In order to apply and prove eligibility, students will need to provide their financial aid award letter showing they have a Pell Grant award. 

For more information or to apply: Internet Essentials

Students attending an institution of higher education may now be temporarily eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under some special rules from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

To be temporarily eligible for SNAP, a student must meet all financial and non-financial SNAP eligibility criteria and one following of the exemptions:

  1. Eligible to participate in state or federally financed work study during the regular school year, as determined by the institution of higher education, or
  2. Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0 in the current academic year.

Temporary expanded student eligibility is a change to student eligibility for certain student who were not eligible for SNAP before may now be eligible. 

To find out how to apply, or for other questions about SNAP eligibility, contact your local SNAP office, https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income North Dakotans meet their nutritional needs.