Affordable Connectivity Program FAQ's

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) does have specific eligibility requirements for students to qualify and a variety of ways to lookup/confirm eligibility. Below are the most frequently asked questions:

Frequently Asked Questions

Santiago Canyon College - and other colleges - have partnered with Excess Telecom, a national service provider for the government-funded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

The ACP is a government benefit program operated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that provides discounts on monthly broadband Internet access service and certain connected devices to ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.

Pell grant students
Students who are income-eligible (household has an income below 200% of the Federal poverty line)
Students (or their households) who receive government assistance from CalFresh, MediCal, MediCare, SNAP, and other eligible programs

To determine eligibility:

Enroll online at Excess Telecom to see if you qualify. The system connects to a government database to confirm eligibility; or
Attend an upcoming campus event to sign up in person. Financial Aid students will need to provide proof of award (which can be obtained through their Canvas)

Enroll online with Excess Telecom. You may be asked to prove eligibility (Financial Aid letter or proof of individual/household participation in a qualifying government assistance program). You can have your tablet shipped to your preferred address (7-10 business days).

Visit your Self Service portal
On the left, click on the menu button at the very top
Scroll down to Financial Information
Then click on Financial Aid
Select Award Letter
Print a copy of your Offer Letter to submit with your Excess Telecom application

For further assistance please visit the Financial Aid office located in E104

For eligible students, the ACP provides:

Discounts of up to $30 per eligible household on monthly broadband Internet access service (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands)
Up to $100 on certain connected devices (with a required co-payment of between $10 and $50)
A discounted $11 tablet that comes with a free 15GB plan that can also be utilized as a hotspot to connect other devices
Choice of broadband internet plans: Free (included) 15GB plan, or option to upgrade to discounted 25, 31, or 60GB plan

Excess Telecom accepts credit cards for online payment. Not to worry, your credit card information will not be stored.

Eligible students can enroll anytime through Excess Telecom. You'll re-confirm eligibility and renew your plan every 12 months on the Excess Telecom website.

If you choose the free 15GB/month plan, you will not be billed for it. If you go over your data allowance, your data will be throttled (you'll still be able to connect, but it will be much slower) until the next month cycle begins.

Excess Telecom is a service provider for the government-funded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a government benefit program operated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that provides discounts on monthly broadband Internet access service and certain connected devices.

The ACP provides discounts of up to $30 per eligible household on monthly broadband Internet access service (or up to $75 per eligible household on Tribal lands) and up to $100 on certain connected devices (with a required co-payment of between $10 and $50). ACP service and device discounts cannot be transferred to another household or individual.

Eligible households are limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount. Rates and device discounts available for qualified customers only. Visit excesstelecom.com for full eligibility requirements, service agreement, coverage map, and program details.

While this program's eligibility requirements mean some students do not qualify, campus supports alternative tech equity programs in partnership with the CSUCCESS program: