20 Colleges That Offer Free Laptops
Disclosure: The webpage may mention the possibility of free laptop programs offered by various educational institutions. However, it is important to note that the inclusion of any school or educational institution on this website does not guarantee or imply a free laptop offer. The availability and terms of any such programs are subject to change and may vary from one institution to another. For the most accurate information please confirm with our partner institution directly.
Key Takeaways
- Some schools lend laptops to students while they are enrolled while other institutions allow students to keep them after graduations.
- Free laptops are often awarded based on financial need and a first-come first serve basis.
- It’s important to make sure a free laptop meets your program’s technological requirements.
Whether you’re studying online or on campus, a laptop is essential for researching, downloading course materials, collaborating on group projects, and, simply put, graduating. Research also shows that greater access to technology is linked to higher academic performance, especially for first-generation college students.
Yet access remains a challenge. In a 2023-24 survey of 28,000 students, more than 30% reported learning difficulties because they didn’t own a suitable digital device, such as a laptop.
Nowadays, more colleges are providing students with free laptops to use during their studies or to keep after graduation. Others offer discounts through well-known retailers, such as Apple and Dell.
Read on for a list of schools that offer free laptops, long-term loaner programs, or discounts to help students succeed.
Colleges That Offer Free or Discounted Laptops, and other Tech Perks
The majority of colleges, at the very least, offer student discounts with tech companies like Apple and Dell. Some institutions go a step further by providing students with financial need a free laptop to use during the semester and, in some cases, to keep after graduation.
| School | Laptop Policy | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Free loaner MacBook Pro laptops through the school’s Apple Loan Program | College of Business and Administration students |
| Berea College | Free Dell laptop you can keep after graduating | All incoming first-year students |
| California State University, Bakersfield | Free loaner laptops while supplies last | Students with demonstrated financial need |
| California State University, East Bay | Free semester-long loaner laptops | All students (first come, first served) |
| California State University, Fullerton | Free semester-long loaner laptops | All students (first come, first served) |
| Dakota State University | New Dell laptops for incoming freshman and refurbished loaner laptops for all other students | All full time first-year students starting in fall semester |
| Duke University | Multi-year loaner laptop | Trinity or Pratt DukeLIFE undergraduates with high financial need |
| Empire State University | Free loaner laptop to use throughout your studies at Empire | All students enrolled prior to Spring 2025 |
| Full Sail University | Tuition includes a laptop you can keep after graduation | All students |
| Grove City College | Tuition includes a tablet PC you can keep after graduation | All incoming first-year students |
| Moravian University | Get a MacBook Pro laptop, iPad, and Apple Watch, which you can keep after graduation | On-campus first-year undergraduate and transfer students |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Free laptop to use during studies | All students (except Online Professional program students) |
| Seton Hall University | Free laptops and software | All full-time undergraduates |
| UNC Chapel Hill | A grant for up to the full laptop price | First-year and transfer undergraduate students with financial need |
| University of Alabama | Free semester-long loaner laptops | 50 students are chosen on a lottery system |
| University of Arkansas, Grantham | Get a free Lenovo laptop after starting classes | All students (except certificate and non-degree-seeking students) |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Free Macbook Air you will own after completing your first semester | School contacts eligible incoming undergraduates |
| University of Minnesota, Crookston | Free Lenovo ThinkPad laptop while studying | On-campus degree-seeking students enrolled in at least 6 credits |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | Free semester-long loaner laptop | All students (first-come, first-served basis) |
| University of Texas at Austin | Free laptop you can keep after graduation | Full time, first-time Pell grant-eligible students |
Colleges That Offer Discounted Laptops
| School | Discount Policy | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Discounts at Apple, Dell, HP, and IBM | All students |
| City Colleges of Chicago | Discounts at Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Lenovo, and HP | All students |
| Drexel University | Discounts at Dell, Apple, CDW-G, and Connection | All students |
| Flagler College | Discounts at Apple and through the Dell University Program | All students |
| Florida Southern College | Discounts at Dell and Apple | All students |
| Harvard University | Discounts at Apple and Dell | All students |
| Indiana University East | Discounts at Apple and Windows | All students |
| John Hopkins University | Discounts at Apple | All students |
| Mercy University | Discounts at Apple, Dell, and HP | All students |
| Oklahoma State University | Discounts at OrangeTech | All students |
| Park University | Discounts at CDW, Dell, and ThinkEDU | All students |
| Seattle University | Discounts at Dell | Law school students |
| Southern Nazarene University | Discounts at Dell | All undergraduates |
| St. John’s University | Discounts at Lenovo and Apple | All students |
| The Ohio State University | Discounts at the school’s Tech Hub | All students |
| University of California, Berkeley | Discounts at Apple, Microsoft, HP, Dell, Best Buy, Lenovo, Amazon Prime Student, and CDWG | All students |
| University of California, Davis | Discounts for Apple products, through the campus TechHUB | All continuing and professional education students |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | $500 Technology Subsidy Grant to purchase or repair a laptop, desktop, or tablet | All students |
| University of Central Florida | Discounts on Apple and Dell products at the school’s Computer Store | All students |
| University of Michigan | Discounts at the school’s Tech Shop | All students |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Discounts at Dell, CDWG, and HP | All students |
| University of Pennsylvania | Discounts at Apple, Dell, and Lenovo | All students |
| University of Texas at Dallas | Discounts at Dell | All students |
| University of Texas at San Antonio | Discounts at Dell | All students |
| University of Texas at Tyler | Discounts at Dell | All students |
| University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Discounts at HiEd Tech Store | All students |
| Wake Forest University | Discounts at the school’s WakeWare store | Undergraduate students |
| Washington State University | Discounts at the school’s CORETECH store | All students |
| Western Washington University | Discounts at Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft | All students |
| Widener University | Discounts at Apple, Dell, Journey ED, and CDW-G | All students |
Four Ways to Get a Free or Discounted Laptop for College
If you’re in need of a laptop or computer for college, there are several ways to get one for free or at a discounted price.
1. Choose a School With a Laptop Lending Program
Instead of giving laptops to students, many colleges lend them out. For example, Santa Ana College’s Digital Dons program allows students to borrow a laptop for one term at a time.
2. Use Scholarship, Grant, or Loan Money
While some scholarships and grants can only be used to cover tuition and fees, others have looser restrictions. Some types of financial aid let you use funding to pay for books and supplies, including required technology like a laptop or tablet.
3. Purchase From Companies That Offer Student Discounts
You may be able to get an education discount directly from companies that sell laptops. For example, Lenovo offers a 5% discount for students and teachers who verify their ID using ID.me. Apple and Dell also offer education discounts on some of their laptops.
4. Look for Used and Refurbished Tech
Another way to save money on a laptop is to buy used. Sites like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp allow sellers to list new or used items, including laptops, in their local market. However, be cautious when using third-party vendors — they may not always be reputable.
Additional Resources for Free or Discounted Laptops
- Community Computer Connections Program: This program refurbishes computers and offers them free of charge to low-income individuals, veterans, and families on Long Island.
- Computers With Causes: Computers With Causes takes donations of used or surplus computers and gives them to students, teachers, schools, and other worthy recipients.
- Kramden Institute: Kramden Institute refurbishes old computers and awards them to students and community members in need. The organization also offers educational programs in digital literacy and advanced coding.
- Notebooks for Students: Notebooks for Students is a nonprofit organization offering discounted laptops to college, high school, primary, and homeschool students.
- PCs for People: This organization sells refurbished and discounted computers, internet modems, and tech accessories for students and families in need.
- Tech for Troops: Tech for Troops refurbishes used computers to keep them out of landfills. The organization donates these refurbished computers to veterans in need and their families.
- Tech Exchange: Tech Exchange was founded to help address the digital divide. The organization provides refurbished computers to low-income families free of charge.
- Virginia Star: This after-school club teaches high school students to refurbish computers. These refurbished computers are donated to school districts, organizations, and families in need.
- With Causes: With Causes reuses and recycles computers to help low-income and underemployed individuals. The organization also provides support for educational programs and classrooms, including computer labs.
What Are the Best Laptops for College?
When choosing a laptop for college, it’s important to make sure the device meets all of your program’s hardware requirements. Check with your school to get the exact specifications, including the recommended hard drive size, processor speed, and software compatibility.
For example, if you’re a computer science major, you’ll likely need a specific device to support your computing coursework. Your personal budget can influence the ideal laptop for you, too.
We’ve rounded up what we consider the best laptops for college students.
Top 5 Laptops for College Students
- Apple MacBook Air (M4, 2025): Best for students seeking design, portability, and long battery life
- Microsoft Surface Pro: Doubles as a tablet and laptop with strong performance and portability
- Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Affordable, durable Chromebook with solid performance
- Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: Windows laptop with long battery life and an OLED display
- Acer Aspire Go 15: Budget-friendly and reliable Windows laptop with a long battery life
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Laptops for College Students
Many college classes include coursework that must be completed or submitted using software on a computer. Students may need Microsoft Office to write a paper or complete a PowerPoint presentation, for example. Even students in nontech programs may need to complete assignments on a computer. Although colleges typically give students access to computer labs, these may not always be convenient or accessible.
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