Government free laptops for school and college Programs – Attending college comes with a variety of costs, and one of them is the cost of a laptop. If you are going to college, the good news is that it is possible for you to avoid having to shell out money for a laptop. Scholarships in the form of laptops are available to college students, and some educational institutions even give laptops to their students at no cost.
You may also be able to utilize funds that are already in your account to purchase a device, but this will depend on the type of financial aid you are receiving. After graduation, qualified students might be offered the option of receiving either a free laptop or tablet completely free of charge. Continue reading to have a better understanding of the programs that might work for you. If you are looking for schemes that provide Free laptops to low-income individuals, you can read through free laptops from the government.
In the past few years, both business and school have shifted to taking place in remote environments, and this has led to a surge in the sales of computers that have reached record highs. In today’s families, companies, and classrooms, the usage of mobile technology and laptop computers is becoming an increasingly greater necessity.
New computers, however, typically come at costs that are prohibitively expensive for college students. The good news is that there are ways to acquire a free laptop for use in college. Students are gaining greater access to technology as a result of increased availability of scholarship options, charitable donation programs, and college student discount deals offered by prominent corporations. You can also check out on how to get a free laptop from Apple.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Eligibility for free laptops can depend on the type of financial aid and specific program requirements.
- Many colleges provide free or discounted laptops, often including the cost in tuition fees under “technology fee.”
- Scholarships and grants such as the Dell Scholars Program offer free laptops along with financial aid for education.
- Nonprofit organizations like Laptops 4 Learning and PCs for People provide refurbished laptops to eligible students.
- Major tech companies offer student discounts on laptops, including Microsoft, Dell, Samsung, and Apple.
Also Read : How To Get Free Laptops From Medicaid
Colleges that provide free laptops or lend laptops
Choosing a college that provides its students with free laptops is the first step you can take if you are interested in learning how to get a free laptop for college. There are numerous educational institutions that provide their pupils with free laptop programs. When a student graduates from some institutions, they are permitted to keep their laptop, but students at other schools are required to return their equipment.
Be aware that some educational institutions include the cost of a “free” laptop in the overall cost of tuition for the student. In the breakdown of your tuition and fees, it can be shown as a separate line item called “technology fee.” When anything like this occurs, strictly speaking, you are still responsible for paying for the item.
Also Read : How To Get Free Laptops For Disabled Or People With Disability
We’ve compiled a list below of some of the best schools in the United States that give away laptops to students. Take note that the prerequisites for eligibility can vary. Even if your institution is not on our list, there is a chance that they will still provide free laptops or tablets. Make sure you verify this information with your college.
- University of Minnesota-Crookston: All enrolled students are eligible for free laptops.
- Moravian College : New first-year students at the university have the opportunity to get a free MacBook Pro, Apple pencil, and iPad.
- Full Sail University : Students receive a laptop equipped with software and accessories pertinent to their degrees as part of a program called “Project LaunchBox.” The fee for the course covers the expense of the laptop as well as the software. LaunchBox bundles are customized to each degree program
- Valley City State University : Students enrolled in classes for the whole academic year are eligible to receive a free laptop, either a MacBook Pro or a Microsoft Windows laptop. Students attending school part-time are eligible for discounts.
- Bowdoin College : Every student gets a free Apple MacBook Pro, free academic software, and an iPad Mini that is relevant to their field of study. This benefit is provided to each and every student at the college on an individual basis.
- Northwest Missouri State University : Regardless of whether they attend classes full-time or part-time, all undergraduate as well as graduate students who live on or off campus are eligible for computers that they can keep even after they have graduated.
- Strayer University : After successfully completing their first three semesters, students are given a laptop equipped with Microsoft software, that they are free to keep. Students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program that is offered online are eligible.
- Chatham University : During student orientation, each student is presented with a MacBook Air.
- Wake Forest University : Students are eligible for significant savings on laptop purchases under the “WakeWare” program. Students who are getting any kind of financial assistance from the educational institution are eligible for the technology award, that will cover the cost of the laptop. The concession program is open to participation from any and all undergraduate students. Undergraduates who are getting financial assistance from their schools are eligible to apply for a grant that will provide them with a free laptop.
Several educational institutions choose to provide students with access to laptops through a lending program. Students at Santa Ana College, for instance, have access to a program called Digital Dons, that lets them borrow laptops for a single term at a time. Students who wish to participate in the program are required to make the commitment that they would use the provided laptop exclusively for educational reasons and will not share it with any other individuals.
Grants and scholarships that provide free laptops
There are a variety of scholarship and grant possibilities available, some of these provide free laptops to high school students. These programs are frequently quite competitive and selective in their participant pool. Some of them are rather easy to get into, but you’ll need to raise money in order to pay for the equipment.
It is possible that you will have enough money left over after paying for college thanks to grants or scholarships to put towards the purchase of a laptop. There are various types of financial aid packages available, and some of them include a stipend that is designated solely for the purchase of laptops, books, and other educational necessities.
Dell Scholars Program
Every year, high school seniors who participate in the Dell Scholars Program are eligible to receive a $20,000 academic fellowship, a free laptop, and curriculum credits through Chegg. Additionally, participants have access to a variety of both personal and professional resources that can assist them in navigating the various challenges that they will face while attending college.
If you are going to be a senior next year, you can begin sending in your documents even before the application period officially begins in October. Candidates should have at least grade point average 2.4 and must be qualified to receive a Pell Grant in order to be considered. Applicants must also be on schedule to graduate within the same academic year that they submit their application, and they must have a plan to enroll in a bachelor’s program immediately after they receive their associate’s degree.
Laptops 4 Learning
Laptops 4 Learning is a nonprofit organization that gives away 25 refurbished laptop computers to individuals who meet the requirements for its reward program on a monthly basis. In order to submit an application, you will need to prepare a video that is exactly one minute and ninety seconds long and explain why you require support from the organization. To be eligible, you must be a citizen of the United States (or a permanent resident of the United States), be at least 18 years old, and either be enrolled at an authorized college or institution in the United States or expect to enroll there in the near future.
Merchants that provide Student Discounts for laptops
If you absolutely need a new gadget for school, many reputable tech companies provide annual educational discounts aimed squarely at students. Preloaded software and gift cards are just two examples of the extras that come with some of these laptop deals.
Microsoft Student Discount
Students, teachers, parents, and members of the armed forces can save up to 10% on several Microsoft goods. Check your eligibility for this price cut by signing into your Microsoft account when requested. Just start browsing, and the best deal will pop up while you shop. When you buy with a student discount, you also get a year of Office 365 free of charge. Please note that this deal cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts.
Dell Student Discount
Save up to $200 on select new Dell models like the Inspiron 14 with the company’s student discount offerings. Dell’s education pricing includes a no-interest financing option. Microsoft Office, consisting of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, can also be installed without any extra expenses.
Samsung Education Offer Program
With Samsung’s Education Offer Program, students may save as much as $575 on a brand-new Galaxy Chromebook. Samsung has more than just laptops on sale for the next school year. Teachers and students alike can now purchase tablets, smartphones, watches, and audio devices.
Apple Education Pricing
Apple is well-known for the educational discounts it offers to kids, parents, teachers, and school staff. Students can save up to $100 on iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPads when they shop with a validated email address and proof of institutional affiliation. When purchasing select items, educational pricing additionally includes an Apple gift card (up to $150 in value).
Non-Profit Organizations that provide Laptops to Students
Students who are struggling financially now have access to a number of organizations that have made it their mission to provide those students with a free laptop that they can use for their academic pursuits.
Such organizations, funded by educational nonprofits, will give qualified students access to dependable technology in order to increase their chances of achieving academic success. Consider contacting one of the following organizations if you are currently enrolled in an approved four-year degree program and are in need of financial assistance to purchase a laptop.
The following list of online platforms and nonprofit organizations sells renovated laptops at a cheap rate to students who are looking for trustworthy items at an inexpensive price. These are some excellent choices to consider if you are interested in making a financial investment in a device.
PCs for People
This charitable group offers laptop and desktop computers at a reduced price via its online store. In addition to that, it offers a wide range of technological services, such as the recycling and repair of computers. PCs for People is a nonprofit organization that assists people with disabilities and low-income families. Their goal is to eliminate the “digital gap.” PCs for People is now stocking popular laptop manufacturers such as HP, Dell, and Lenovo, with prices beginning at $145.
Dell Refurbished
A variety of reconditioned Latitude models can be purchased at a reduced price from Dell Refurbished. An almost brand-new laptop can be purchased for as little as $400 if the seller provides a comprehensive computer check as well as “cosmetic grading” to guarantee the product’s superior quality.
Virginia Star
Students in high school are taught how to get refurbish computers as part of an after-school club. Donations of these repaired computers are made to disadvantaged households, as well as to organizations and educational districts.
Notebooks for Students
Notebooks for Students (NFS) was initially established in California by a group of college students. The company collaborates with many manufacturers of technology to offer refurbished notebooks at reduced prices to students of all ages.
The homepage of the organization provides a comprehensive selection of laptops that can be browsed in a variety of ways, including by school grade level and high-performance laptops. NFS provides products for both Mac and PC, with costs beginning at approximately $200.
In contrast to the majority of companies that sell refurbished laptops, NFS gives customers a complimentary guarantee that lasts for four years when they buy a laptop from them. This warranty covers all aspects of technical support, including hardware and software installation as well as data retrieval in the event of an issue.
Computers With Causes
Computers With Causes is an organization that accepts contributions of used or surplus computers and then distributes those machines to deserving recipients such as students, teachers, and schools.
ConnectAll
ConnectAll is an e-commerce site with the mission of supplying low-income individuals and charitable organizations with affordable refurbished laptops and desktop computers.
The inventory of laptops owned by the organization is capable of being sorted according to form factor, storage capacity, memory, and operating system. With prices ranging from $100 to $1,000 and this e-commerce site includes options for both PC and Mac. This price covers the shipping costs as well as a one-year extended warranty with pre-installed versions of Microsoft Office and Windows.
With Causes
With Causes is an organization that helps poor and underemployed individuals by reusing and recycling computers. Also, the group offers assistance to educational programs and classrooms, including the establishment of computer laboratories.
Tech for Troops
Refurbished computers are not only donated by Tech for Troops but also help keep obsolete computers out of landfills. This charitable organization gives reconditioned laptops like these away for free to veterans and their families who are deserving of the assistance.
Kramden Institute
The Kramden Institute restores unused computers and gives them away to needy students and residents of the local community. Moreover, instructional programs in digital literacy and advanced coding are made available by the company.
Tech Exchange
Tech Exchange was established with the intention of contributing to the closing of the digital gap. The group gives refurbished computers that have been updated for free to families that have a modest income.
Bottom Line
There are a handful of private scholarships available for getting free laptops, and the award package for many scholarships includes a laptop. Yet, scholarships that cover the cost of your tuition are significantly more prevalent than scholarships that cover the cost of your laptop.
Attending one of the educational institutions that provides free laptops to all of its students is the most typical way to acquire a free laptop for use in college.
You may be able to use the money from certain scholarships to purchase a laptop; but, before doing so, you should always verify this information with the organization that is providing you with the money.
There are some schools that sell laptops to students at a reduced price. If you buy a laptop from your school rather than a store, you might be able to save a lot of money. This will give you confidence that your computer can handle your schoolwork. Just make sure you shop around to find the best price.Furthermore, laptops are available for students at a reduced price at many major retailers. Apple provides students with flat percentage discounts and, in many cases, free AirPods. A student should be eligible for a laptop price reduction due to their student status.
Buying a used laptop is another option for those on a tight budget. Laptops, like many other products, can be bought and sold locally on sites like Craigslist and OfferUp. This allows the buyer and seller to finalize the transaction in person, where the buyer can conduct a thorough inspection of the goods. eBay is a great place to find a new or used laptop at a reasonable price. Third-party vendors, while convenient, should be used with caution because their reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Readers may be interested to know that the Community Computers Connection Program fixes up old computers and gives them away for free to low-income Long Island families, as well as to veterans and persons who have served their country. You can find more details about such programs on “How to get free laptops for low-income disabled?” and “How to get free laptops for veterans?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with a college-provided free laptop?
Free laptop use is governed by each school and program. Check with the program offering the laptop to determine what it can be used for. The laptop’s operating system may have restrictions, especially if you are supposed to return it. You may be unable to access certain websites or install third-party applications. Before using your laptop for non-study purposes, learn its limits.
Can I use FAFSA funds to purchase a laptop?
In the event that you are awarded more financial assistance through the FAFSA program than is required to pay for your education-related expenses, you might be able to put the excess money towards the purchase of additional school supplies, such as a laptop or a tablet computer. After settling student accounts, some school systems issue a rebate check for the remaining FAFSA funds.
What are the consequences if the laptop crashes or if it gets stolen? Do I have to send it back or pay an expense for replacement?
It is possible that you will be liable for paying the costs to replace or repair your laptop if your educational program requires you to return it at the conclusion of your studies. Should you be granted permission to keep the laptop after graduation, you will most likely not be required to pay for its replacement. Having said that, the guidelines for these programs change on an individual basis depending on the circumstances. There is a larger likelihood that your program will not require you to pay for the cost of the computer, particularly if you have evidence that the computer was stolen, such as a report from the police.
