5 Top Internet Provider Discounts for Students in 2026

5 Top Internet Provider Discounts for Students in 2026

You’ve finally escaped the dorms! Your first apartment is waiting for you—no more shared bathrooms, no more roommate drama, no more mediocre dining hall food. Freedom tastes so, so sweet.

But before you celebrate too hard, you need to get internet. Good internet. The kind that lets you upload that 10-page research paper at 11:58 PM without panicking (we’ve all been there).

Quality internet typically costs $40-$100 per month. Add that to rent, groceries, and textbooks, and your wallet starts sobbing. Luckily, we’ve researched to help you save a chunk of change each month (that you can use towards some late-night pizza). Major internet providers and government programs offer discounts for students to reduce their monthly bills. We’re talking high-speed internet for $10-$30 per month, with some students qualifying for free service (queue happy dance).

Enter your zip code below to find internet providers and deals in your area.

Top Internet Providers Offering Student Discounts in 2026

Xfinity

Xfinity’s current student offer delivers exceptional value with no contracts and real perks that matter. Their promotional package starts at $40 per month for the first year and includes some pretty great extras.

Key Features:

• 300 Mbps internet (handles up to 5 devices simultaneously)
• WiFi equipment and unlimited data included
• Free Unlimited mobile line for 1 year (seriously)
• No contract required
• Autopay with a stored bank account and paperless billing are required
• Available in 39 states

Xfinity offers multiple speed tiers beyond the student offer, ranging from 300 Mbps up to 2000 Mbps, allowing you to upgrade as your needs grow. The 300 Mbps tier is perfect for streaming content, video conferencing, and downloading music or photos.

Important to note: After the first year, standard rates apply. The included mobile line has reduced speeds after 30 GB of usage per line. Xfinity Mobile requires Xfinity Internet service. Taxes and fees are extra.

Fiber internet

Spectrum

Spectrum offers three fiber-powered internet tiers specifically for students. All plans are backed by Spectrum’s reliable network and include essential features at no extra cost.

Key Features:

• Internet starting at $30/month for 1 year
• Three speed tiers: 100 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gig
• Free modem and antivirus software included with all plans
• No data caps on any plan

For an additional $10/month on the 100 Mbps or 500 Mbps plans, you can add Spectrum Advanced WiFi to enhance security and speed across all your connected devices—ideal for shared apartments. Advanced WiFi is automatically included on the 1 Gig plan.

Fiber-powered internet means reliable connectivity when you need it most. The included modem and antivirus software eliminate extra fees, and you can choose the speed tier that matches your budget and usage needs.

AT&T

AT&T Fiber offers students a range of high-speed internet plans with their premium All-Fi gateway experience. All fiber plans come with equal upload and download speeds—a major advantage for students uploading assignments, presentations, and video projects.

Key Features:

• Multiple speed tiers from 100 Mbps to 5 Gig
• AT&T All-Fi gateway included for easy network setup
• Equal upload and download speeds (fiber advantage over cable)
• Unlimited internet data on all plans
• AT&T ActiveArmor internet security is included
• AT&T Internet Backup is included for unlimited wireless customers

All-Fi Pro Upgrade is available for $25/month on lower tiers (included free with 2 Gig and 5 Gig plans). Features Wi-Fi 7 technology, equipment upgrade program, AT&T ActiveArmor advanced internet security, and AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service.

Important to note: Pricing varies by location, so enter your zip code below to see specific pricing and deals available in your area.

Cox (K-12 Students)

Cox’s Connect2Compete program provides affordable home internet specifically designed for families with school-age children. At just $9.95 monthly, it’s one of the most affordable internet options available while still delivering speeds sufficient for homework and everyday use.

Key Features:

• $9.95/month for up to 100 Mbps download speeds
• Free WiFi modem included (may include refurbished wireless gateway)
• No annual contract required
• No credit check or social security number needed to apply
• Access to Cox Digital Academy for educational resources
• Access to Cox WiFi hotspots nationwide
• No installation charge for standard install on one pre-wired outlet

Eligibility Requirements: Your household must have at least one K-12 student AND participate in one of the following government assistance programs:

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Tenant-Based Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, or Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)
• Public Housing
• Head Start
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Federal Pell Grant recipients
• Veterans Pension
• Certain Tribal Programs
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Certain state Medicaid programs (see cox.com for eligible states)

Important Notes:

• Available to qualifying new residential Cox internet customers who meet eligibility criteria
• Must not have subscribed to Cox internet services within 90 days prior to requesting services
• Cannot have unpaid debt for Cox services incurred within the prior 6 months
• Applicants may need to provide documentation for eligibility
• Equipment must be returned upon service cancellation

Alternative Program – ConnectAssist: If you don’t have a K-12 student but still qualify based on participation in government assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, Pell Grant, Veterans Pension, Tribal Programs, SSI), Cox offers ConnectAssist at $30/month with the same 100 Mbps speeds.

Free internet for students

T-Mobile (K-12 Students)

T-Mobile’s Project 10Million is a groundbreaking initiative working to connect 10 million students with internet access. Since launching in 2020, the program has already connected over 6.3 million K-12 students to the internet—completely free.

What You Get:

• Free 200GB of high-speed internet per year for 5 years
• One free mobile hotspot per household
• No fees, costs, or annual recertifications
• An optional 10GB 30-day data pass is available for $10 if you hit your limit
• Web Guard content filter included for parental control
• Free device shipping

Eligibility Requirements: Your K-12 student qualifies through participation in ONE of the following programs (proof dated within one year required):

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT or P-EBT)
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
• Medicaid
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Head Start
• Foster youth, migrant, homeless, or runaway youth

This is genuinely free internet—no hidden fees, no credit checks, no social security number required. The 200GB per year (roughly 16GB monthly) is perfect for homework, research, and video conferencing, with the option to buy more data if needed. Best of all, it’s completely automatic—data resets each year without any action required from you.

Government Assistance Programs That Stack with Provider Discounts

Lifeline Program

Following the Affordable Connectivity Program’s discontinuation in May 2024, Lifeline has become the primary government resource for affordable internet access.

What It Offers:

• Monthly discount of $9.25 on phone, internet, or bundled services
• Enhanced benefit up to $34.25 monthly for households on tribal lands
• One benefit per household

Eligibility: You qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if you participate in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or have received Federal Pell Grants.

Example of how you can save by stacking: Combine Lifeline’s $9.25 discount with Xfinity’s Internet Essentials ($9.95/month), and you’re essentially getting internet for free.

Find an Internet Provider Near You

Ready to connect to the internet without the financial stress? The programs detailed in this guide exist specifically to support students like you, but they can’t help unless you take action.

Enter your zip code below to discover which internet providers serve your area.

Sources

[1] Xfinity.com. “Student"

[2] Spectrum.com. “Student Internet Plans"

[3] Att.com. “Internet for Students"

[4] Cox.com. “Connect 2 Compete"

[5] T-Mobile.com. “Project 10 Million"

[6] Lifelinesupport.org.

[7] Federal Communications Commission. “Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications"

[8] Universal Service Administrative Company. “Do I Qualify? – Lifeline Program"