Chicago Connected provides no-cost, high-speed internet service to Chicago Public Schools students and their families. 

Students may qualify for either high-speed internet or a district-provided hotspot at no cost through the Chicago Connected program. Students who qualify for high-speed internet have been assigned an activation code. To check if you’re eligible, visit cps.edu/getconnected. 

For more information, visit cps.edu/chicagoconnected.

Families can take advantage of the Affordable Connectivity Program, an FCC program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:

• Up to $30/month discount for broadband service;
• Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.

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

• Has an income that is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines;
• Participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Lifeline;
• Participates in one of several Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal Head Start (only households meeting the relevant income qualifying standard), Tribal TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations;
• Is 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;
• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.

To enroll:

• Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application; and
• Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill. For more information, call 877.384.2575 or visit fcc.gov/ACP.

Technology can be a gateway to opportunities, such as learning new skills, finding new jobs, and connecting with loved ones. It can also be overwhelming and hard to keep up with. Access resources to advance your  digital skills and make the most of your internet service. 

Visit cps.edu/digitallearning for FREE digital learning tools and resources. 

If you have questions about accessing or using digital resources, please reach out to one of the following support teams. Help is available in English and Spanish. 

YMCA of Chicago IT Help Desk

312.440.2416

Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 

Get help with device or connectivity issues, including answers to computer-related questions, assistance completing online tasks, and guidance on navigating Zoom, Google Classroom, and other online tools. 

CPS Parent Tech Support Hotline

773.417.1060

Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 7:30 am - 6:30 pm
• Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Get technical support for issues related to your CPS-issued device, assistance with other technology-related issues, and answers to general questions related to the Chicago Connected program.

PCs for People provides refurbished computers and laptops are available for $0-$20 or up to $150 for qualifying Illinois residents.

Refurbished computers and laptops are available for $0-$20 for Illinois residents who participate in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension Benefit Program, or residents whose household income is less than 135% of federal poverty guidelines.

Refurbished computers and laptops are available for up to $150 for Illinois residents who participate in adult and child mental health case management, employment services (applicable only if income-based in your state), extended foster care, food support (a dated letter showing current eligibility is required), financial assistance such as GA or TANF (a dated letter showing current eligibility is required), head start, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), medicaid or medical assistance (a document that says "MA" or "Medical Assistance" on it is required), the National School Lunch Program's Free or Reduced Lunch Program, Section 8, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Group Residential Housing (GRH), Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Federal Pell Grant.

PCs for People requires photo identification and income documentation for program qualification. Acceptable documents for income documentation fall into two categories:  

• Proof of current enrollment in an income-based government assistance program; or 
• Documentation from a government source of current income. 

Acceptable forms of photo ID: Driver's license or state ID card for non-drivers, passport, formal ID card (such as veteran or student) and company or work-issued identification.

Qualifying income documentation:  

• The prior year's state, federal, or tribal tax return (W2 forms or pay stubs are not acceptable) 
• A Social Security statement of benefits 
• A Veteran Administration statement of benefits* (VA cards alone are not accepted) 
• A retirement/pension statement of benefits 
• An Unemployment/Workmen's Compensation statement of benefits 
• Federal or tribal notice letter of participation in General Assistance

Find and register for a pop-up event near you by visiting pcsrefurbished.com/event/registration and providing your email and zip code.  

Email cookcounty@pcsforpeople.org.

Comp-U-Dopt provides FREE reconditioned laptops and computers to families who do not own a computer in their home. Devices provided by the school should not be counted as they are not owned by the family.

Families must have a child in K-12 education and not own a working computer at home. (Devices provided by the school should not be counted as they are not owned by the family). 

To enroll:

• Go to ACPBenefit.org to submit an application or print out a mail-in application; and
• Contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill. For more information, call 877.384.2575 or visit fcc.gov/ACP.

Complete the registration form found on the Comp-U-Dopt website. You can also find the registration form by following these steps:

• Visit compudopt.org/chicago.
• Click "Computer Giveaway."
• Scroll down and click "Register" under Chicago Metro Lottery.

Names will be chosen randomly based on the available inventory 3-days prior to the distribution dates. Selected recipients will be notified by text message to complete the RSVP process to pick up their computer at a distribution site. Please note recipients will be randomly selected; not everyone who registers will receive a computer. Limit one per household.

Families who are randomly selected will receive an access code to pick up their computer. Please look for a text message with the date and time to pick up your computer. It is important that you provide a working cell phone number to ensure you receive a text message if selected.

 Email info@compudopt.org.