Online Colleges That Offer Free Laptops & Tech Benefits

Updated on 9/16/2025

Whether you're an incoming student or currently enrolled, if you're taking courses online, you'll need a computer. For most students, a laptop works best, thanks to the portability of these devices.

However, laptops can be expensive, especially for low-income students. To help, some schools loan laptops to students or even give students laptops to keep. Keep reading to discover online colleges that offer laptops.

Are There Any Online Colleges That Provide Free Laptops?

There are several online schools that provide laptops for students to either rent or keep. In many cases, these laptops are free or are bundled into your tuition costs.

Some colleges, like Northwest Missouri State University, offer free laptops, but only to on-campus students. Others, like St. John's University, offer laptops to online students for a small technology fee.

How To Get a Free Laptop for College

A few different options are available for students looking to attend college. These include:

• College and university programs: As mentioned, some schools offer loaner laptops or even laptops to keep. These laptop programs may be sponsored by the school or wrapped into tuition.
• Federal aid: If you have federal aid, such as the Pell Grant or funds from a state-run program, left over after you pay your tuition, you can use those funds to cover the cost of a laptop. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility.
• Nonprofit organizations and charities: Multiple nonprofits and charities offer laptops, often refurbished ones, to students. These include the Dell Scholars program, Computers with Causes, and Laptops 4 Learning.
• Tech company partnerships: Sometimes, tech companies will partner with schools to offer discounts or even free laptops to qualifying students.
• Student discounts: Several tech companies, including Apple, Dell, and Lenovo, offer student discounts for products.
• Scholarships and grants: Like with federal aid, you may be able to use excess scholarships and grants to cover the cost of your laptop. There are also scholarship programs, like the Dell Scholars program, that offer scholarships that include a laptop.
• 529 plans: Students can use 529 plans, which are savings plans designed to help families save money for education. You can use funds from these plans to purchase college supplies, including laptops.

What Other Tech Benefits Do Online Colleges Offer?

Most online colleges, whether they offer a free laptop or not, offer tech benefits to students. These may include:

• technical support
• equipment rental
• free software
• hardware troubleshooting

Best Affordable Online Colleges With Laptops and Tech Benefits

Online students need computers to do their work. Below, we've highlighted some of the most affordable online colleges that offer free laptops.

1. University of Arkansas at Grantham

The University of Arkansas at Grantham is an online campus in the public University of Arkansas system. It is based in Little Rock, AR, and offers online associate, bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs.

The university offers a new Lenovo laptop to students after they begin class. Students get to keep the laptops so long as they complete their first two terms. The laptops come with Windows 11 pre-installed and access to Microsoft Office 365 through the student portal.

• Estimated tuition cost: $305 per credit
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

2. California State University, East Bay

At California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), students can earn bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. The school loans Windows laptops to students that come with apps like Adobe Reader DX and Office 365.

CSUEB, a public research university, is located in Hayward, CA. The loaner laptops here are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, full-time students at CSUEB may qualify for a $500 voucher toward a laptop bundle through the school bookstore.

Note that California residents may qualify for reduced tuition under the CalGrant.

• Estimated tuition cost: $333.04 per credit
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

3. The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University (OSU) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees online and on campus. OSU is a public research university in Columbus, OH.

The Student Technology Loan Program at OSU provides iPad and Microsoft Surface loaner devices to students with limited technology access and identified financial needs. These loans can be short-term or long-term, depending on what the student needs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $334 per credit
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commisson (HLC)

4. Dakota State University

Associate through doctoral degrees are available in person and online through Dakota State University (DSU). As part of DSU's Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative (WMCI), DSU provides full-time freshmen with a new laptop in the fall and refurbished laptops for other students.

DSU, located in Madison, SD, is a public university. The laptops given to first-year students come with licensed software pre-installed as well as universal access to networks across campus, warranty protection, replacement batteries, and on-campus Help Desk and repairs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $365 to $480 per credit
• Accreditation: HLC

5. California State University, Bakersfield

California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) is a public university in Bakersfield, CA. It offers online bachelor's and master's degrees as well as the Student Technology Equity Program (STEP) program.

Through the STEP program, eligible students can access free loaner laptops, tablets, and Wi-Fi hotspots. Students can also apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which reduces the cost of high-speed internet by $30 per month. The CalGrant covers tuition at CSUB as well.

• Estimated tuition cost: $370 per credit
• Accreditation: WSCUC

6. California State University, Fullerton

Students at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) can earn bachelor's and master's degrees online. They can also lease a laptop, iPad, or Apple pencil for free through the school's Connectivity Contributing to Equity and Student Success (CSUCCESS) program.

CSUF, a public research university, is located in Fullerton, CA. It also provides students free access to Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Dropbox, Qualtrics, Zoom, and many other programs. Students can use the CalGrant here as well.

• Estimated tuition cost: $425 to $500 per credit
• Accreditation: WSCUC

7. University of Minnesota, Crookston

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMN-Crookston) offers several degrees online to undergraduate students. UMN-Crookston is the Crookston, MN, campus of the public University of Minnesota system and is the campus the system primarily uses for online degrees.

Through the school's Laptop Computer Program, college students can lease Lenovo ThinkPads from the school for free. Note that not all online students are eligible for this program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $448 per credit
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Chatham University

On-campus and online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are available through Chatham University. Through its 1:1 program, students can receive a free laptop. Laptops in the 1:1 program are owned by Chatham University until the student graduates, at which time ownership of the computer is transferred to the student.

Chatham University, located in Pittsburgh, is a private, nonprofit institution. It provides a four-year manufacturer warranty and accidental damage protection for all 1:1 laptops.

• Estimated tuition cost: $479 per credit
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

9. San Diego State University

San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research institution in San Diego, CA. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees online and provides a limited number of laptops and hotspots available for semester-long loans.

These student laptops are available to those with financial needs. MacBook Pro and Dell laptops are available, as well as other equipment like iPads, webcams, chargers, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $498 to $599 per credit
• Accreditation: WSCUC

10. Full Sail University

Through Full Sail University, students can earn online degrees at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. They will also receive a free laptop as part of the school's Project Launchbox; the specific laptop, operating system, and additional equipment vary by program. For example, the computer science degree gets a Windows machine, while the information technology degree programs get Apple products.

Full Sail University, a private, non-profit institution primarily focused on the arts, is located in Winter Park, FL. As of 2025, all new students who study online, regardless of their program, also receive a free iPad within the first month of school.

• Estimated tuition cost: $558 to $608 per credit
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

How We Rank Schools

To choose the online colleges that provide computers, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions listed are either regionally or nationally accredited.
• Tech benefits for online students: All are willing to loan or give laptops and other tech to students.
• Affordability: We looked at the most affordable schools offering laptops, with all schools offering programs for less than $600.

FAQs About Colleges That Provide Laptops and Tech Benefits

To complete online classes, you'll need a computer of some kind. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about colleges that provide laptops and other tech benefits.

Can I Buy a Laptop With Pell Grant Money?

Pell Grant money first goes toward your tuition. You get to keep any leftover Pell Grant money, but only if it's used for qualified educational expenses. A laptop would be considered a qualified expense for online students.

Do I Need a Laptop for Online College?

You don't necessarily need a laptop for online learning, but you need some sort of computer so that you can complete assignments and coursework.

When looking at the best laptop for you, consider factors like:

• long battery life
• screen size
• storage space
• operating system

A good laptop doesn't have to be expensive; a lot of retailers offer refurbished or discounted laptops. You don't necessarily need something super powerful or with fun features like a touch screen for your schoolwork, either. For some programs, something as simple as a Chromebook may suffice.

What College Gives You a MacBook?

While most schools offer Windows devices, there are a few online schools that provide Apple laptops. SDSU allows students to borrow MacBook Pros. Full Sail University provides Apple laptops to some users, though they don't specify whether this is a Macbook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Surface Pro, or another model.

Does SNHU Give Free Laptops?

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a huge variety of programs for online learners, but they do not have a free laptop program.

Browse Online Colleges

Start your online classes strong by exploring the schools with free laptops featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools for information on admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.