Reliable, fast Internet access is a necessity, especially during this unusual and uncertain time for students. GVT’s Students First Internet Discount is an affordable Internet program designed to help families and students in low-income households have reliable access to the Internet for distance learning, homework, accessing educational resources and more.
The Garden Valley Technologies Board of Directors has approved offering reduced rate Internet service to families who have children enrolled in grades K-12 (including Pre-K) within the GVT service area and who subscribe to Internet services through Garden Valley Technologies. The Students First Internet Discount was created because all students should have access to fast, reliable Internet service whether they are learning in class, at home or in a hybrid setting due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Garden Valley Technologies wants to do our part in providing affordable Internet service to families in need during this time.
GVT currently has nine school districts within its original ILEC boundaries. In addition, the recent CLEC activity also provides services to a portion of two more school districts, Thief River Falls and Mahnomen. All schools have created their own plans following MDE and MDH guidelines. Therefore, it is possible that plans will change without notice.
Garden Valley Technologies is offering a $38.95 credit per month for up to six months to all households participating in the Free & Reduced-Price Meal program through local schools. The qualifying six months are September, October, November, December, January and February and will be applied to an account once the application is submitted. Families also have the option of participating in the Federal Lifeline program instead which, when combined with GVT Internet Assistance, would bring their monthly bill down to as low as $5 per month for the entire year. Members are not able to utilize both programs towards Internet service simultaneously. For more information and to see if you qualify for Federal Lifeline visit our Assistance Page. For reference, the base 50/50 Internet service with Garden Valley Technologies is $38.95/month with phone service or $48.95/month without phone service, while 250/250 is $48.95/month with phone and $58.95/month without phone.
A confidentiality release form will be made available to families throughout area schools and on the GVT website. Families wishing to participate in this program must fill out the release form and submit to their local school. The school will verify the family participates in and has been approved for the Free & Reduced-Price Meal program. The school will then scan and email the form to Garden Valley Technologies and GVT will then apply the appropriate discount code on the account and contact the customer letting them know the discount has been applied. The Students First Internet Discount will be discontinued after the February 2021 billing period.

Click the link below for the fillable Adobe Acrobat form and email the completed form to RLCC Schools.
https://www.rlcc2906.org/sites/rlcc2906.org/files/files/Private_User/ssogla/gvteldiscount.pdf