Ohio K12 Help

Ohio Department of Education

Program Type:

Grant; Consumer Financial Support

Eligible Geography:

Ohio

Summary:

The state set aside $50 million of state funding through the federal CARES Act to provide hotspots and internet-enabled devices to students for purchases. The Ohio Department of Education, in collaboration with BroadbandOhio, provided Ohio schools and Education Service Centers with the opportunity to apply for these funds through a grant application process

Eligible Recipients:

Private Consumer

Eligible Recipients Detail:

Applicants identified the eligible group(s) they intend to assist with the purchase of the technology. Those groups include:

-Economically disadvantaged students, as defined for EMIS reporting, including, students on free lunch;
-Vulnerable children and youth as defined by the Ohio Department of Education;
-Students who might have chronic conditions; and
-Students who do not have other access to the internet.

Eligible Purpose:

Broadband Enabled Devices; Private Internet Service

Eligible Purpose Detail:

Devices and services that provide connectivity such as:

-Home internet paid for by the district for students;
-Hotspots/Mifis with a service plan;
-Mobile hotspots (including on buses);
-Public Wifi infrastructure; and
-Other technology that provides a connection for the student.

Ineligible Expenses:

-Laptops and Chromebooks that can only access the internet through Wifi or a wired connection;
-Hardware that does not contribute towards an internet connection;
-Devices that do not primarily allow a child to have access to the internet; and
Cellphones unless repurposed to only function as a hotspot.