The Unequal Costs of the Digital Divide

Attending college during the coronavirus has meant added costs. And the digital divide that was a problem for many students last academic year hasn’t disappeared. In fact, with the fall semester already underway, institutions are still working to assess and overcome the gaps in technology for students. 57 percent of college students said that having access to a stable, high-speed internet connection could be challenging if they continued their education online. For the most vulnerable students, a lack of access to the internet and a computer could keep them from enrolling. In fact, community colleges — where an early look at enrollment shows a steep drop in attendance this fall — have been ramping up their loaner programs for computers and Wi-Fi hot spots.


The Unequal Costs of the Digital Divide