Skip to main content
S 3701 116th Congress Senate Education Administrative law and regulatory procedures Appropriations Cardiovascular and respiratory health Computers and information technology Department of Commerce Education of the disadvantaged Education programs funding Educational technology and distance education Emergency medical services and trauma care Government trust funds Higher education Infectious and parasitic diseases Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Minority education Rural conditions and development Student aid and college costs

Supporting Con­nec­tiv­ity for Higher Education Students in Need Act

Introduced: May 12, 2020 Introduced by: Klobuchar, Amy Democratic · Minnesota See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 12, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
May 12, 2020
Introduced in Senate
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act

This bill establishes and provides funds for the Emergency Higher Education Connectivity Fund. Specifically, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) must use the fund to support institutions of higher education (IHEs) in providing broadband internet access service, videoconferencing systems and services used for distance learning, and equipment (e.g., computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other one-time costs) to enrolled students during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.

The bill requires the NTIA, in consultation with the Department of Education, to promulgate regulations within 14 days related to support for IHEs.

Among other things, the regulations must

  • prioritize support for IHEs that receive certain institutional grants, including historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and rural-serving institutions;
  • require IHEs to prioritize support for students who are eligible for need-based financial aid; and
  • establish a schedule of reasonable per-student funding amounts for eligible services and equipment.
What's happening now May 12, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 4131 Related bill Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • HR 6814 Identical bill Supporting Con­nec­tiv­ity for Higher Education Students in Need Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 10
All 10 Democratic 9 Independent 1
I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Jun 11, 2020
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · May 21, 2020
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · May 19, 2020
 D
Booker, Cory A.
New Jersey · May 19, 2020
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · May 19, 2020
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · May 19, 2020
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · May 19, 2020
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · May 12, 2020
 D
Peters, Gary C.
Michigan · May 12, 2020
 D
Rosen, Jacky
Nevada · May 12, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3701: Supporting Con­nec­tiv­ity for Higher Education Students in Need Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3701/
MLA
"S. 3701: Supporting Con­nec­tiv­ity for Higher Education Students in Need Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3701/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3701, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3701/.
Markdown link
[S. 3701: Supporting Con­nec­tiv­ity for Higher Education Students in Need Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3701/)
Report a problem