The St. Cloud School District will get more than $40,000 for better access to high-speed internet.

The governor’s office says 12 school districts across Minnesota received grant money to make sure students have better internet connections on the bus and at home. Grants were announced by Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and the Department of Education.

Money can be used to equip buses with wireless hotspots so students can do homework on their way to and from school. Schools may also purchase hotspots, data cards and other mobile broadband devices for students to check out and use at home.

Thirty-three districts applied for this grant, but only twelve were awarded due to limited funding. The legislation capped grant money at $50,000 per district. St. Cloud received $40,546.

Since districts still need funding, the ongoing need for investment in rural high-speed internet remains.