Want a Free Laptop? Go to College!

**This webpage may mention free laptop programs offered by various educational institutions. However, please note that the inclusion of any school on this page does not imply or guarantee a free laptop offer. Laptop availability, eligibility requirements, and program details can differ by institution and are subject to change. For the most reliable and current information, please verify directly with the school.**

College can get really pricey, really fast. With expensive tuition and so many additional costs, students on a budget are always looking for ways to save money on their education.

More and more students are studying online, which means they need to have a reliable laptop. Did you know that you may be able to get a laptop for free or at a discount through your school?

Read on to learn more about how to get a free laptop for going to college.

Do Colleges Give Free Laptops to Students?

Many schools recognize the increasing financial pressure placed upon college students and their families.

A laptop is just one expense among many, but it can be a critical piece of equipment for any college student in this age of technology.

With that in mind, some schools provide laptops to students free of charge.

These laptops may be given on a loan basis until graduation, at which point students may be allowed to keep the laptops or asked to return them.

Other schools provide technology discounts for incoming students, allowing them to purchase a laptop at a greatly reduced price.

Still other schools offer temporary laptop loans through their libraries or technology departments.

If you're not sure whether your school offers free laptops, check with their technology department. You should be able to find information on available laptop loans or how to obtain a free computer.

Some of the schools that give all incoming students a free laptop include:

• Dakota State University (Lenovo 2-in-1 laptop): Full-time fall freshmen receive a new laptop through DSU’s Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative. Students who stay in the program for four consecutive years keep the device.
• Indiana State University (Microsoft Surface Laptop Go): Awarded through the Sycamore Technology Award to full-time incoming students who are Pell-eligible based on their FAFSA.
• Moravian University (MacBook Pro, iPad, Apple Pencil, and Apple Watch): Provided to full-time, first-year and transfer undergraduates taking primarily on-campus classes, and theirs to keep.

Can Online Students Get Free Laptops?

You may be wondering if these laptops are available only for students attending on campus. Are online students also eligible to receive a free laptop?

Sometimes — but it depends heavily on the school. This is one area where it pays to read the fine print.

Many of the best-known 1:1 technology programs are built around on-campus life, and they say so explicitly. Moravian University, for example, provides Apple devices only to students enrolled primarily in on-campus classes, and online-only undergraduates aren’t eligible. Dakota State’s laptop program is limited to students taking six or more on-campus credits. Indiana State’s Sycamore Technology Award excludes online-only students as well.

The good news is that several schools built for distance learners have gone the other direction and designed their technology programs around online students specifically.

This matters a great deal for online students, who depend on reliable technology to complete assignments and attend classes. Often, having a personal laptop is what makes attending college possible in the first place.

Even if your school doesn’t provide a laptop outright, you may still be able to take advantage of technology discounts, loaner programs, and rentals, just as in-person students can.

Check with your school’s technology department to find out what’s available. They can also tell you about laptop loans, rental programs, and whether any device cost is already built into your tuition or technology fee.

Schools with technology programs that include online students:

• Strayer University — New students enrolling in an eligible online bachelor’s program can receive a laptop loaded with Microsoft software. Complete three of your first four quarters and the laptop is yours; otherwise it must be returned or paid for. The offer isn’t available to readmit or continuing students, and students receiving Verizon tuition assistance receive a loaner that must be returned.
• Full Sail University — Project LaunchBox provides both campus and online students with a MacBook Pro plus software and equipment matched to their degree program. It’s important to understand that LaunchBox isn’t free; its cost is included in Full Sail’s tuition, which is structured to cover textbooks, lab fees, and materials.

How Else Can Students Get Free Laptops for College?

Even if your school doesn't offer free or discounted laptops for students, you may still be able to get a free laptop for attending college. Let's talk about how.

Non-Profit Organizations

Various nonprofit organizations provide free or low-cost computers to students and low-income individuals.

The requirements vary by organization, but you will usually have to submit an application, and some organizations still accept applications only by mail. You may also need to demonstrate financial need with documentation, such as proof of free or reduced-price school lunch eligibility or participation in a public assistance program.

Keep in mind that most of these organizations distribute donated and refurbished equipment, so availability depends on their current inventory, and wait times can run several weeks.

Let’s take a look at some organizations offering free computer programs.

• On It Foundation: This nonprofit provides free computers to students in need in grades K-12 who receive free or reduced-price school lunch and attend a public or home school in the United States. Applications are made by written letter from a parent or guardian, along with proof from the school that the student qualifies. If you’re still in high school, a parent or guardian can request a computer for you, and you’ll be able to keep it and use it for college.
• Digitunity: Formerly known for its Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR) program, Digitunity connects people with a nationwide network of nonprofit technology refurbishers. These member organizations repair donated computers and provide them to students and low-income families at little or no cost. Digitunity’s site can help you find a participating refurbisher in your area.
• Computers with Causes: A program of the nonprofit Giving Center, this organization places thousands of refurbished computers each year with individuals, families, schools, and nonprofits. It prioritizes students, teachers, seniors, foster homes, shelters, and disabled veterans. Note that applications are accepted by mail only, and each one is reviewed individually.

Grants and Scholarships

Additionally, you may be able to use scholarship money or federal grants to cover the cost of a laptop.

Money received through the FAFSA can be applied to education-related expenses if there are funds left over after covering your tuition.

Other grants and scholarships may be applied toward your education in whatever way you see fit. You can use the money from these funds to buy a laptop.

It’s also worth asking your financial aid office directly. Some schools, including Chatham University, allow students to borrow additional loan funds specifically to reimburse the cost of a laptop purchase, using a dedicated reimbursement form.

FAQs About Free Laptops for College

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about colleges offering free laptops.

Do I get to keep a free laptop after graduation?

It depends entirely on the program. Moravian University’s Apple devices are yours to keep from the start. Dakota State transfers ownership after four consecutive years in the program. Strayer requires you to complete three of your first four quarters before the laptop becomes yours. Other schools run true loaner programs where the device goes back when you graduate or withdraw. Always read the technology agreement before you sign it.

Is a “free” college laptop actually free?

Not always. Some schools fund their programs through a mandatory technology fee, and others, like Full Sail, build the cost of the device into tuition. That can still be a good value, since institutional pricing is often better than retail, but it’s not the same as a gift. Ask whether the device is covered by a separate fee, included in tuition, or genuinely provided at no cost.

What happens if the laptop is lost, stolen, or damaged?

This is the detail students most often overlook. Many programs include manufacturer warranties and some include accidental damage or theft protection, but coverage varies widely. Dakota State holds students responsible for replacing a lost or stolen laptop and recommends checking whether a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy would cover it. Strayer does not provide replacements at all. Find out what’s covered before the laptop arrives.

Do online-only students qualify for these programs?

Often not. Many of the most generous 1:1 programs are explicitly limited to students taking classes on campus. If you’re studying fully online, look at schools that serve distance learners directly, and confirm eligibility with admissions before you enroll based on a technology offer.

Can I use financial aid to buy my own laptop?

Yes, in most cases. A computer is generally considered a legitimate education-related expense, so leftover aid disbursed as a refund can be used to buy one. Some schools also let you request additional loan funds specifically for a laptop purchase. Talk to your financial aid office about what’s possible at your school.

Get a Free Laptop When You Go to College

Don't let technology costs keep you from your dreams. As you can see, there are many different ways to obtain a free or discounted laptop when you attend college.

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