Student Laptop Program

Tri-C’s Student Laptop program allows eligible students to purchase a laptop at a special discount. With support from the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, Tri-C recently purchased more than 300 new Dell Inspiron laptops. We’re offering them to eligible students for just $240 — less than half price! — and you may be able to use financial aid to cover your portion of the cost.

What You Get

The new Dell Inspiron laptops include:

• Intel i5 Processor
• Windows 10 Home
• 8GB RAM
• 256GB Solid State Hard Drive
• 14" HD Display
• 802.11ac WiFi
• Bluetooth

Student Laptop Program Eligibility

Laptops will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to students who are not eligible to apply for CARES Act funding and are:

• Enrolled at least half-time (six credits) in an academic program or  
• Enrolled in a workforce certificate program; and
• Able to pick up their laptop at a Tri-C campus (shipping not available)

How to Apply

Complete the Student Laptop Program Application. You’ll be notified within three to five business days if you qualify, and your portion of the cost will be charged to your student account. You’ll receive pickup instructions once your payment is processed.

• Students who apply for the Student Laptop Program but also qualify for the CARES Act, will receive an email with instructions on how to apply for the CARES Act in lieu of the laptop program.

For additional information read the Student Laptop Program frequently asked questions. 

How to Pay

If approved for the Student Laptop program, you will receive an approval email with payment information within three to five business days.

• Self-pay:
  • Visit the Paying for College webpage to review available payment methods to pay the student portion of the laptop cost ($240).
  • You will receive an email with pickup information one week after the payment is posted to your account. If you pay with a check, it can take at least 10 days to receive the pickup email.
• Financial Aid:
  • Students who have authorized financial aid in place to cover the student portion of the laptop will have payment processed automatically.
    • Students must answer “Yes” to the Title IV Authorization question on their my Tri-C space in order to use financial aid as payment
    • You will receive an email with pickup information within one week after approval

Please note that opened laptops cannot be returned, unless the device is determined to be non-functioning after working with Dell support first.

Refunds may be requested for laptops that are still sealed with no visible damage to the box.

How to Pick Up

Once payment is processed, students you will receive an email with pick-up information. This email will include, the campus pick-up location as well as the days and times pick-up is available.

Please follow these guidelines to keep your campus visit safe. You must pick up the laptop in person. Parents or others are not allowed to pick up the laptop on your behalf.

Internet Access

Several companies are providing discounted internet services. Please review the Community Resources webpage to find what each provider is doing to help their customers. Innovate Ohio has compiled a list of public hotspot locations as well.

The FCC also recently announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services and virtual classrooms. The program start date has not yet been established. Please continue to check their page for program updates. Review the Fact Sheet for more information.