Wow. Just wow. That’s all we can say. This offer from Sprint and the Sprint Foundation is one of the most generous deals we’ve ever seen.
“The 1Million Project” is aimed directly at one million low-income high school students who couldn’t otherwise afford to buy computers and pay for sky-high monthly internet access rates. The Project expects to connect 200,000 of those students each year over a five year period.
Participating students will receive free wireless devices (tablets, hotspots, and smart phones). But that’s just the beginning because they will also receive free internet service during their four years of high school.
That sound you hear is the digital divide being bridged
You have to give Sprint a lot of credit. They didn’t need to do this. They weren’t required to do this. We consider it to be a sign of their excellent corporate citizenship.
The 1Million Project website said, “This is more than the chance to do homework. This is the opportunity to impact their lives and futures. The program brings students closer to teacher communication, scholarships, jobs, college and big possibilities. The students chasing their dreams and better futures don’t have to go to extremes to access Wi-Fi. The 1Million Project removes a big hurdle in their lives. So no matter what, they will have the same internet accessibility as any other student.”
Way to go, Sprint.
The specifics: What students actually receive
Sprint spells out the “goodies” very clearly. And those goodies are, indeed, very good:
- 3 GB per month of free high-speed LTE data while on the Sprint network. Unlimited data is available at 2G speeds if usage exceeds 3 GB in a month
- A free smartphone, tablet or hotspot device
- Free hotspot capability and unlimited domestic calls/text while on the Sprint network for students who receive a smartphone
- Sprint Guardian, a free content filter solution on the Sprint Network designed to block access to content deemed harmful to minors as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). 1Million Project devices are set by default to utilize Sprint Guardian content filtering when accessing the internet through Sprint’s network.
Sprint says it will coordinate with each school to determine which devices fit its needs best. Of course, the type and number of devices depend the inventory in-stock when individual schools place their orders.
Just in case you were wondering, the 1Million Project doesn’t support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). And before you ask, the free service is not transferrable to non-1Million Project devices.
What happens when a student graduates?
We congratulate Sprint for introducing the 1Million Project. We’re absolutely positive that it will accomplish everything it intends to accomplish. But what happens when a student graduates from high school? Are they forced to march to the principal’s office to turn in the iPads they become so dependent upon?
We scoured the 1Million Project’s website to find the answer. And we were, quite honestly, very happy to find this answer in the FAQs:
As students graduate from high school and transition out the 1Million Project, are they able to keep the device and receive affordable wireless service from Sprint?
Yes, the student can keep their free device if the school, as the owner of the device, agrees to this. Sprint intends to offer a discounted wireless service plan and will work with the schools to present the available offers to the graduating seniors
The 1Million Project just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?
Your school district must apply before it can be chosen
The only catch? Sprint’s 1Million Project is not designed for individual applications. Your low-income school district must apply and be chosen in order to participate. District administrators can find a program application here.
Sprint said, “We are now accepting applications for the second year of the program, which begins with the 2018-19 school year. All applicants will receive a response by late spring 2018 letting them know if they have been accepted into the four-year program. Applications MUST be submitted by a high school or school district. Applications submitted by individual students or parents will not be accepted.”
Who are the lucky schools?
The 1Million Project was scheduled to roll out in seven to ten cities this year. But it has grown rapidly and far more cities and school districts are already participating in Year One of the five year project. Here’s a list of those lucky school districts:
YR1 District |
City |
State |
Birmingham City School District |
Birmingham |
AL |
Little Rock School District |
Little Rock |
AR |
Phoenix Union High School District |
Phoenix |
AZ |
Tolleson Union HSD 214 |
Tolleson |
AZ |
Flowing Wells Unified District |
Tucson |
AZ |
Baldwin Park Unified School District |
Baldwin Park |
CA |
Escondido Union High School District |
Escondido |
CA |
LAUSD – Birmingham Community Charter High School |
LAKE BALBOA |
CA |
Centinela Valley Union HSD |
Lawndale |
CA |
LAUSD – New Designs Charter School |
Los Angeles |
CA |
Los Angeles Unified School District |
Los Angeles |
CA |
Twin Rivers Unified Sch Dist |
McClellan |
CA |
Montebello Unified School District |
Montebello |
CA |
KIPP Foundation (CMO) |
Oakland |
CA |
Oakland Unified School District |
Oakland |
CA |
Orange Unified School District |
Orange |
CA |
Paramount Unified School District |
Paramount |
CA |
Pasadena Unified School District |
Pasadena |
CA |
Pomona Unified School District |
Pomona |
CA |
West Contra Costa Unified School District |
Richmond |
CA |
Riverside Unified School District |
Riverside |
CA |
San Bernardino City Unified SD |
San Bernardino |
CA |
Campbell Union High School District |
San Jose |
CA |
East Side Union High School District |
San Jose |
CA |
San Jose Unified School District_ |
San Jose |
CA |
Santa Ana Unified School District |
Santa Ana |
CA |
Denver Public School Dist 1 |
Denver |
CO |
Denver Public Schools |
Denver |
CO |
Weld Co SD RE-6 Greeley |
Greeley |
CO |
Norwalk Public Schools |
Norwalk |
CT |
DC Public Schools |
Washington |
DC |
Hernando County School District |
Brooksville |
FL |
The School Board of Broward County |
Fort Lauderdale |
FL |
St Lucie Co School District |
Fort Pierce |
FL |
Miami-Dade Co Public Sch Dist |
Miami |
FL |
Orange Co Public School Dist |
Orlando |
FL |
Pinellas Co School District |
Saint Petersburg |
FL |
Atlanta Public Schools |
Atlanta |
GA |
Richmond Co School Dist |
Augusta |
GA |
Dekalb County Schools |
Stone Mountain |
GA |
Iowa City Cmty School District |
Iowa City |
IA |
DuPage High School District 88 |
Addison |
IL |
Chicago Public School Dist 299 |
Chicago |
IL |
Chicago Public Schools |
Chicago |
IL |
Youth Connection |
Chicago |
IL |
Township High School Dist 211 |
Palatine |
IL |
M S D Decatur Township |
Indianapolis |
IN |
MSD of Wayne Township |
Indianapolis |
IN |
Greater Clark County School District |
Jeffersonville |
IN |
School City of Mishawaka |
Mishawaka |
IN |
Brockton School District |
Brockton |
MA |
New Bedford Public School Dist |
New Bedford |
MA |
Boston Public School District |
Roxbury |
MA |
Springfield Public Schools |
Springfield |
MA |
Baltimore City Public Schools |
Baltimore |
MD |
Charles County Public Schools |
La Plata |
MD |
Prince George’s County Public Schools |
Landover |
MD |
Baltimore County Public Schools |
Towson |
MD |
Detroit Public School District |
Detroit |
MI |
Genesee Intermediate School District |
Flint |
MI |
Grandview C-4 School District |
Grandview |
MO |
Independence School Dist 30 |
Independence |
MO |
Hickman Mills School District C1 |
Kansas City |
MO |
Kansas City School District 33 |
Kansas City |
MO |
St Louis City Public Sch Dist |
Saint Louis |
MO |
University City School District |
University City |
MO |
Buncombe County School District |
Asheville |
NC |
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools |
Charlotte |
NC |
Rockingham County Schools |
Eden |
NC |
Cumberland Co School District |
Fayetteville |
NC |
Guilford Co Schools |
Greensboro |
NC |
Pitt Co School District |
Greenville |
NC |
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools |
Nashville |
NC |
Winston-Salem Forsyth Co SD |
Winston Salem |
NC |
Grand Forks School District 1 |
Grand Forks |
ND |
Egg Harbor Twp School District |
Egg Harbor Township |
NJ |
Jersey City Public School Dist |
jersey city |
NJ |
New Brunswick School District |
New Brunswick |
NJ |
Newark Public Schools |
Newark |
NJ |
Paterson Public School District |
Paterson |
NJ |
Vineland Public School District |
Vineland |
NJ |
Albuquerque Pub School District |
Albuquerque |
NM |
Buffalo City School District |
Buffalo |
NY |
Freeport Public School District |
Freeport |
NY |
Mt Vernon City School District |
Mount Vernon |
NY |
New York City Dept of Ed |
New York |
NY |
Winton Woods City School District |
Cincinnati |
OH |
Cleveland Metro School District |
Cleveland |
OH |
Youngstown City School District |
Youngstown |
OH |
Oklahoma City School Dist |
Oklahoma City |
OK |
Tulsa Independent Sch Dist |
Tulsa |
OK |
Beaverton School District 48J |
Beaverton |
OR |
Eugene School District 4J |
Eugene |
OR |
Philadelphia City School Dist |
Philadelphia |
PA |
Philadelphia School District |
Philadelphia |
PA |
Providence Public Schools |
Providence |
RI |
Knox Co School District |
Knoxville |
TN |
Oak Ridge City School District |
Oak Ridge |
TN |
Austin Ind School District |
Austin |
TX |
Goose Creek Cons Ind Sch Dist |
Baytown |
TX |
Donna ISD |
Donna |
TX |
Everman Ind School District |
Everman |
TX |
Harlingen Cons Ind School Dist |
Harlingen |
TX |
Houston ISD |
Houston |
TX |
YES Prep Public Schools |
Houston |
TX |
Irving Ind School District |
Irving |
TX |
Laredo Independent School District |
Laredo |
TX |
Lewisville Ind School District |
Lewisville |
TX |
McAllen ISD |
McAllen |
TX |
San Antonio Ind School District |
San Antonio |
TX |
South San Antonio Ind Sch Dist |
San Antonio |
TX |
Manassas Park City Sch Dist |
Manassas Park |
VA |
Newport News Public Schools |
Newport News |
VA |
Norfolk School District |
Norfolk |
VA |
Richmond City Public Schools |
Richmond |
VA |
Everett School District 2 |
Everett |
WA |
Kent School District |
Kent |
WA |
Renton School District 403 |
Renton |
WA |
Highline School District 401 |
Seatac |
WA |
Spokane School District 81 |
Spokane |
WA |
Milwaukee Public Schools |
Milwaukee |
WI |
Urge your school district to apply
Some people say it’s impossible to win a multi-million dollar Lotto jackpot. But we agree with those who say, “Someone’s going to win. But you can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket.”
The same thing holds true with the 1Million Project. A lot of low-income school districts will be chosen each year. But your school district won’t be one of them if they don’t apply for the program.
Parents should call their school districts to urge them to fill out the paperwork. Students should urge their principals to encourage the districts to apply.
Do it this year. And if your district isn’t chosen this year, apply again next year. And the year after. And the year after.
Because you can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket.
Norma Asencio says
I would like to know if Arlington Elementary school in district 81 has this. The school is in Spokane, Wa. If not, I would like to pick them. I know District 81 in in the category, but nobody has mentioned this to me. Are 1st graders elegible?
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
Contact the school district to get your question answered, Norma.
Kathleen Paul says
I am a very low income senior . I use Boost as my mobile phone. Do I qualify for WiFi? I live near Lansing, jackson, Mason, Chelsea Michigan. I live in Stockbridge.
517 314 ****
Thank you
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
It sounds as if you will qualify if you can find a program available in your specific area. Check out all the low-income internet service plans at this link:
https://www.cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet
Check them all out closely to find (a) the ones available in your area, and (b) The ones you qualify for.
Mehrnaz Assef says
This offer is a fantastic news and very encouraging for students.
I am a student at Los Angeles Valley College. I love to participate in this valuable service.
Please contact me.
Sincerely yours
Mehrnaz Assef
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We cannot contact readers individually due to the volume of comments and questions we receive every day, Mehrnaz. But you can find all the info you need right here on this website. Just click around on the appropriate articles and you’ll find the info.
Karla Van Pelt says
I am disabled my income is low and
I want to get set up to be ready to be with my favorite Aunt and Uncle that’s better than my daddy. And my favorite cousin.
CheapInternet.com Administrator says
We don’t have a clue what you’re asking us. But we always appreciate stream of consciousness.
TheDifferentSteve says
I’m already seeing my PCs For People service which hasn’t the strongest signal strength – having times where the loading a webpage suffers worst than it has in the past. Wonder if this has something to do with it? : (
Sure it’s not a million more on my neighborhoods Sprint tower but, I’m guessing it’s enough at times to affect my mobile internet service…
Thank you Sprint – I pay for it but, you strain my service by giving it away free. When it takes 45 seconds to see the webpage and another 30 seconds to fully load what else can it be – 2-1/2 months ago the worst I saw was about 20 seconds at the most in bad times.
The Different Steve
TheDifferentSteve says
I just don’t understand the motivation here.
Giving away something, especially with Spectrum and the FCC involved as an American model to win FCCs favor in acquisitions and mergers.
If you took the SNAP / EBT populous and the FCC’s Active Licenses for spectrum inventory. http://reboot.fcc.gov/license-view/
Sprint already clearly owns double that of the next runner up AT&T.
Is there any limitations / restrictions to a families count of students involved in the 1Million program. Is it that Sprint has found a way around the SNAP one address participation limit in that program – which Sprint is at the core to the delivery of broadband for the low-income families – beings the Clear / ClearWire buyout.
Of course SNAPs is a one of, so going this route gives Sprint sometimes an 2,3,5 times the advantage to more users information singled out, and not being combined in a house holds mixed use to sort out any single user information’s thereof. In other words, profiling users data as Google has done with it’s search and other free service in anyone who uses them/it.
But these are minors and soon to be legal adults in short time. The article mentions that schools, as the owner of the device.
Then parents as the legal guardians of the high school students.
What are the legal ramifications here to users information, merely blueprinting for a future purpose? Then with FCC gutting or trying to in the subject of broadband privacy.
Is it one of three or all three together ?
1) Brand loyalty
2) Favor with the FCC in future deals
3) Marketing as the foundation to a million youth – established
This surely has to generate more revenue streams for Sprint long term than going with establishing rural America with Mobile Broadband at that same costs this is to be for Sprint in this endeavor.
The Different Steve