Funding for the program is set to run out at the end of April.
[Ads /]
The subsidies it provides to low-income households could disappear.
"The program should not go away. The program should stay and there are thousands of reasons to keep it," said Ahmed Banafa.
MORE: President Joe Biden announces program giving discount on internet for low-income households
Millions of households eligible for discount on internet service
Banafa is a professor and technology expert at San Jose State University.
He says having internet access is critical to being able to function in society.
Of the millions of Californians that could be impacted, students might face one of the biggest burdens.
[Ads /]
At Oakland Unified School District, officials tell us they've benefitted greatly from this program.
"We went from 12% of our kids having access at home to 98%. And a big part of that was the ACP," said John Sasaki.
MORE: Coronavirus & education: SF students receive laptops, but many still need internet for distance learning
SF students receive laptops, but many still need internet for distance learning
Sasaki is a spokesperson for the district.
He tells ABC7 News, the program was critical to allowing OUSD students access to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of those students, was senior Allen Clayborn.
[Ads /]
"At home sometimes, the internet isn't the best and it only works in certain spaces. So when I received the hotspot from the school it was useful because I was able to complete my work in places where I may not have been able to prior," Clayborn said.
Without the ACP, Sasaki worries students' ability to connect to the internet outside the classroom will suffer.
"A computer, internet access, all that is just the same kind of tool as having a book, having paper, having a pencil. You really can't access your education fully unless you have the ability to get on the internet," he said.
MORE: Bay Area parents, teachers, students weigh in on distance learning challenges since start of school
Parents, teachers weigh in on distance learning struggles
Banafa says this program is worth the money for all of us.
"I think this is an investment in the future. Because now, you are opening the door for everybody, whether they have money or not so that they have access to this kind of education."
If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live