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Hege Library & Learning Technologies

Computing Technology Recommendations

Guide to information, resources, and support services with links to commons partners.

Ways to Fund the Purchase of a Laptop

There are a number of sources available to both undergraduate and graduate students for purchasing a laptop. You should know that Financial Aid Cost of Attendance includes indirect expenses for such things as supplies, personal expenses, and transportation costs. This includes supporting the cost of computing devices. Chapter 2: Cost of Attendance (Budget) of the Federal Student Aid Handbook under the section titled, Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment, states:

“This includes all such costs required of all students in the same program, including a reasonable allowance for the rental or upfront purchase of a personal computer that the student will use for study for the enrollment period, for equipment needed for instruction by telecommunications and for peripherals such as printers and software. The allowance for purchase of computer may include costs for a computer purchased prior to the enrollment period (for example, a computer that a student bought in the summer for use in the fall term).”

There are also private loans available that can be researched via this Guilford website, and federal parent loans can be reviewed at this Federal Student Aid website. 

 

 

Other Funding Sources

Federal Pell Grants
Pell Grants form the foundation of federal student financial aid for undergraduates. Unlike a loan, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. The amount a student receives depends on his or her level of need, status as a full-time or part-time student, and the amount of time he or she intends to be enrolled in college. Awards range from $740 to $7,395.

Learn more about Pell Grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Student Aid website.

North Carolina Need-Based Scholarships
North Carolina residents who apply to NCICU colleges and universities are also automatically considered for state assistance through the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship (NCNBS). Created in 2011 by the North Carolina General Assembly, this is a need-based program for NC residents who attend private institutions of higher education in the state.
Eligibility requirements include:

  • Be a North Carolina resident as well as a North Carolina resident student for tuition purposes, as defined by North Carolina Residency Manual
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in at least 6 credit hours at an “eligible postsecondary institution” which includes all NCICU campuses.
  • Demonstrate a certain level of financial need, based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Meet requirements for the Federal Pell Grant (except the SAI range used for Federal Pell Grant awards)