WMCSD is happy to share the following information with our parents.
According to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, T-Mobile has created special programs to help bridge the digital divide by providing 5 years of free wireless hotspots, 100GB of free high-speed data per year, and access to at-cost laptops and tablets for 18,000 qualified Mississippi students. Please see below and/or visit https://www.t-mobile.com/brand for more information.
Project 10Million’s Direct to Parent/Guardian program provides internet access to eligible families that have a student enrolled in the National School Lunch program. Approved families receive 100GB of mobile data per year for 5 years and a FREE mobile hotspot, plus the opportunity to purchase devices at a low cost.
- New and existing T-Mobile (including Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint) as well as Non-T-Mobile customers are eligible to apply.
- Available to residents of the United States and Puerto Rico.
- One free T-Mobile hotspot device and 100GB/year data line per household, max one per student.
- Data service ends when allotment is reached until the yearly renewal date (Additional data passes are available for purchase).
- May purchase up to five select, at-cost Wi-Fi-only tablets and laptops for use with the hotspot device.
To qualify for Project 10Million Direct to Parent/Guardian, you’ll need to provide:
- Proof of enrollment in the National School Lunch Program dated from the 2019 school year to present.
- Your student’s school district and ID number.
- Basic contact information (name, address, etc.).
What is the National School Lunch Program?
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides low-cost or free lunches to children based on criteria such as household income or family size. Learn more about the program and eligibility on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s NSLP site.
Proof of Enrollment in NSLP
Students enrolled in the program are sent an NSLP Notification or Direct Certification letter each school year showing their eligibility and benefit status. You will be required to upload a digital copy or photo of your student’s Notification or Direct Certification letter in order to qualify (see sample letters). Other free or reduced-cost meal program letters, report cards, student ID badges, and enrollment certificates are not acceptable documents.
For enrollment and eligibility letters, check with your school principal or guidance counselor. You can also use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Contacts Lookup tool, by choosing your state and the National School Lunch Program at the top of the page to find out who administers the program for your state.
Application process
Once you have everything you need, you can visit the Project 10Million website to apply now. If you need assistance applying, you may bring a physical or digital copy of your proof of eligibility document to a T-Mobile store.
- Tell us about yourself – Provide your name, email, and language preference.
- Enter your shipping address – Provide an address we can send your hotspot device to. Sorry, no PO boxes and military addresses.
- Create an account PIN – Enter a PIN number you will remember. You’ll use this to access your account if you need to contact us.
- Upload Proof of Enrollment – You’ll be asked to enter your student’s info and to upload a digital copy or photo of your student’s NSLP Notification or Direct Certification letter. Your NSLP letter needs to be dated for the school year 2019 or later. (See above for Puerto Rico-specific requirements).
- Submit your application and verify your email – You will be notified immediately if your application is accepted and we’ll send you an email to verify your identity. Important: You must complete this verification step to receive your Project 10Million device and account.
After your application is accepted, you’ll be sent emails notifying you of your hotspot’s shipping status, welcoming you to the program, and providing you a dedicated number to contact in case you run into any trouble.