Free storage and internet: These companies are helping college students amid pandemic

Hundreds of thousands of college students are pivoting to online classes and being pushed off campus during the coronavirus pandemic, and some companies are finding ways to help them.

There have been more than 5,800 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. as of Tuesday afternoon, Johns Hopkins University reported. At least 200 universities and colleges have made the change to online classes, according to The Hill.

Some schools are still charging students full tuition, MarketWatch reported.

Shutting down universities and colleges comes with many challenges for students. Roughly 20 percent of students have trouble with basic technology needs, according to The New York Times. Many students lost on-campus jobs that helped them pay for their education.

Some companies recognize these challenges and are changing their day-to-day business guidelines to help students.

Help with storage for college students

Many students are being forced to leave their university housing on short notice.

U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage to college students amid coronavirus, the company said in a March 12 news release.

U-Haul President John “JT” Taylor said the change will help college students impacted by the “unforeseen schedule changes” at some universities.

“We don’t know how every student is affected. But we know they are affected,” Taylor said in the news release. “More and more universities are giving instructions to leave campus and go home. Students and their parents are in need of moving and storage solutions. We have the expertise and network to help, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Help with getting home or moving out

Other students need to travel, and some don’t have cars on campus.

Expedia has reduced the age minimum and waived the young renter fees usually required to rent a car.

The change will last through May 31 and is valid for rentals of “economy through full size cars, minivans, small pick-up trucks and cargo vans.” Students must show their official student ID to rent the car.

Making sure there’s internet to complete classes

As many universities pivot to online classes, some students don’t have internet access.

Students can get free Spectrum broadband and WiFi access for 60 days in households with K-12 or college students during the coronavirus epidemic.

“As the country works collaboratively to contain this pandemic, broadband internet access will be increasingly essential to ensuring that people across the country are able to learn and work remotely, that businesses can continue to serve customers, and that Americans stay connected and engaged with family and friends,” Charter, Spectrum’s parent company, said in a news release.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Free storage and internet: These companies are helping college students amid pandemic."