It’s now possible to get a free laptop for college education if you know where to look, just like the free government phones. Schooling became more digitized than ever after the pandemic when online or remote classes surfaced and have since gained traction. Classes are held using popular online meeting platforms, but some schools have implemented their own software to streamline the process.
Tuition fees are quite jarring nowadays, and the added cost of a laptop to access these classes might be an unwelcome burden. There are also the added costs, such as room and board and basic necessities like food, transportation, and materials needed for each subject. Adding an expensive gadget to that list can be quite heavy for some, especially those who are trying to better their lives from poverty or financial duress.
Thankfully, there are organizations that can offer free laptops to those who qualify for college. You can also get considerable discounts in some ways, as long as you know how and where to look. This guide shares these windows of opportunity so you can continue your education with fewer burdens.
How Can a Free Laptop for College Help Students?
Financial aid isn’t always available, and tuition fees can rise drastically if you are attending both private and public colleges. There is also a higher chance of finding an online course for you outside of your home state, and that means you have to pay extra to get into these distant schools. Another factor is the continuous inflation that we are seeing, making it seem like everything has suddenly become more expensive.
A free laptop for college, simply put, offsets the financial burden of going to school and building a career or future for you or your family. Shaving off a few hundred bucks to a thousand or two helps tremendously. Schools now cost anywhere between $9750 to $35000 for public and private on average, so every dollar saved will count.
How to Find a Free Laptop for College
Here are the current results we gathered from our research for you to explore:
Dell Scholars Program
Dell offers a laptop scholarship for 500 or so deserving students every year to boost their future-building. The corporation grants up to $20,000, a free PC, and $2,000 in textbook credits, plus ongoing support with other resources. The funds can be applied towards tuition, student loans, study-abroad programs, and internship expenses.
You need to be enrolled in an approved college readiness program in the 11th and 12th grades with a GPA of 2.4 or above to qualify. You must also qualify for a Pell Grant during your freshman year of college during the fall semester after high school graduation.
On It Foundation
The On It Foundation supplies free laptops for K-12 students in public schools across the entire United States. You need to qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch to receive this grant since it is need-based instead of academic status. The non-profit organization relies on donors, so eligible students may need to join a waiting list to receive a free laptop.
Computers With Causes
Computers with Causes which operates through the Giving center non-profit is another donation-based option to get a free laptop for college. This group serves low-income families, veterans with disabilities, and some schools with refurbished laptops and tablets.
Through the School/College/University
Some schools offer free laptops for students who are financially challenged or in need to continue their education. Some will even include valuable software like Microsoft 365 or Adobe products required to class. Reaching out to your school’s admissions about their policies regarding this benefit will show if you can apply for an assistance program that caters to tech needs.
How to Get Student Discounts on Laptops
If you can qualify for free, then shaving off a few hundred bucks on a new or refurbished unit is your best bet. Here are some of the most popular results in 2024:
PCs for People
PCs for People refurbishes laptops and transfers the savings to students in need. You will need to show photo IDs and documents that can prove you are financially challenged, such as the use of government benefits like SNAP. They offer HP Probooks, Dell Latitude, and Lenovo T840 laptops, which are expensive and are used in several industries as workhorse computers.
ConnectAll
ConnectAll provides discounted laptops for both students and professionals who meet financial-based eligibility. You only need to show documentation that you are receiving aid benefits like SNAP or housing assistance to qualify. The group offers different tiers at the $49, $99, and $149 brackets to cater to varying requirements.
Notebooks for Students
Notebooks for Students offer discoutns for Dell Latitude, HP Chromebooks, tablets, and even Apple MacBooks. These are refurbished units from IT companies and professionals, but they are exponentially more affordable than the ones you can buy at retailers. Students from all levels all the way up to college can qualify.
Retailer Offers for Student Laptop Discounts
The last option is to hunt for discounts made specifically for students by retailers and laptop manufacturers. Here are the laptop brands that can help you with a discount:
Acer – 10% off for Student Bean-verified individuals on Chromebooks, business, and even gaming laptops
Apple – Apple offers $100 off to students for their computers like the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac, provided that you show your school ID.
Dell – Dell has different discount segments based on your major, such as Engineering and Architecture, general studies, IT, mathematics, business, nursing and healthcare, and computer science. The company has suited models with varying discounts for each course.
HP – Students can enjoy up to 40% off on HP laptops and desktops, plus free shipping.
Lenovo – Lenovo covers K-12 students, educators, and college students, offering 5% off Chromebooks, slim laptops, and even gaming PCs.
Microsoft – Microsoft offers 10% off their Surface laptops and 5% off for Surface tablets to students. You also get a 50% discount on software like Microsoft 365 Personal that comes with 1000GB of cloud storage.
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