The world digitally transformed since the 20s and it never looked back. The importance of electronic devices like tablets, smartphones, and laptops is enormous in today’s world. Let it be e-learning or college assignments, projects, entertainment or any remote-based job, a laptop will help you at every moment of life.
The government has understood the need of the hour and has been working on distributing the laptops for free to people having low income.
People with low income can get a free government laptop and use it to apply for colleges, and high schools or use it for freelance work. The government is working constantly to connect more and more Americans with the internet who were left out.
What Is The Free Laptop Program?
The free laptop program is an Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) supported charity program. This government program is for low-income people who seek free government laptops. Along with low-income people, many other people are also eligible for the free laptop program by ACP who are currently associated with the federal assistance program.
What Is The Federal Communication Commission?
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is a government commission that looks after interstate connectivity by radios, wires, satellite or any form of connectivity. FCC has an internal sub-program named the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which looks after affordable broadband connectivity for American households.
There are various federal assistance programs that you can be a part of to avail free laptops from the government.
Eligibility Criteria For Free Government Laptops
Eligibility criteria can be based on 2 factors :-
- Eligibility based on the program participation
- Eligibility based on income
Eligibility Based On Program Participation
You are eligible for ACP’s free laptop and computer program, if someone from your household benefits from a federal government program. There are many federal assistance programs and tribal assistance programs. One of the household members should participate in these programs to be eligible for free government laptops.
Various Tribal Assistant Programs are :-
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Head Start (Based on income)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation
- Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
- Various federal assistance programs are
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children
- Lifeline
- Medicaid and School Breakfast Program
They received a Federal Pell grant in the current year.
Eligibility Based On Income
Anyone whose gross family income is less than or equal to US poverty guidelines is eligible for a free computer from the government.
Documents Required To Apply For Free Government Laptops
The required documents can be classified into 2 types :-
- Authorization Documents
- Personal Documents
Authorization Documents
The document to be submitted here varies based on the programs and eligibility with which you want to apply. If you are adequate due to the veteran and survival program you must provide the required documents to prove that.
Here’s a list of documents you might need to submit :-
- Income statement
- Pension or retirement statement
- Children support award
- Divorce decree
- Veteran statement of benefits
- Last year’s tribal or federal tax returns
- Social security benefits
Personal Documents
Personal documents include your proof of residency, birth certificate and many more to prove your identity and address.
Here’s a list of personal documents required :-
- Government-issued ID
- Proof of address
- Proof of income
- Driving license
- Individual Taxpayers Identification Number (ITIN)
- Passport
- Green Card or Permanent Resident Card
Other than these, emancipated minors have to provide a document consisting of their full name and confirmation of emancipation status.
How To Get A Free Laptop?
You must be eligible to get a free laptop or a free government computer. Several non-profit organizations help you get government laptops and computers for free or at a discounted price and internet service. These organizations are mentioned below:
Organizations That Help Students Get Their Free Laptop
Many non-government organizations help students get their free government laptops. The following are the organizations:
Laptops 4 Learning
It is a non-profit organisation whose main aim is to provide free laptops in the hands of economically disadvantaged students or veterans. They believe that laptops are a basic necessity for a student and any other person in today’s world. They believe in providing equal opportunity to learn.
If you want to apply for a free laptop based on low income click here. When you click on the link, a page will open where you have to fill in the following details
- First Name
- Last Name
- Phone Number
- Street Address
- City
- State
- Zip code
- School Name
- Grade Level
- Student ID
- Gender
- Race/Ethnicity
- Parent/Guardian Information
- Laptop model requested- Refurbished Chromebook, Refurbished Windows Laptop, New Windows Laptop.
And then click on register now and wait for them to reply
If you want to apply for a free laptop as a veteran click here. Model and the specification of the free laptop :-
- Chromebook Tier 2 ($145) – Chromebook minimum specifications are: Lenovo N22 or similar, 4GB RAM, 16 GB SSD, B grade, Chrome OS and 90-day warranty
- Windows Tier 3 ($285) – Windows Minimum Specs 3rd Gen Core i3 or Core i5 processor 8GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, Installed with Windows 10, have webcam, 90-day Warranty.
- New Dell Latitude ($385) – Intel Celeron 5100 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB Hard drive, 11th Gen CPU label, Installed with Windows 10, have a webcam, 90-day warranty + 6 months accidental damage service.
Computer With Causes
Computer with Causes is a non-profit organization that supports a free laptop program and their main aim is to provide free refurbished computers to low-income families, children in foster homes, the elderly and veterans with disabilities. Click here to apply.
They have strict notice on their website that they don’t call, their call service is only for the donors. The details required are similar to what was mentioned above, name, address, street, city etc.
Following is the information asked in the sequence :-
- First Name
- Last Name
- Phone Number
- Street Address
- City
- State
- Zip code
- School Name
- Grade Level
- Student ID
- Gender
- Race/Ethnicity
- Model Of Laptop
Human-It.org
Human-It.org is a non-profit organization in partnership with Microsoft and Google. Their main aim is to provide free internet services at a fixed one-time payment and discounted free laptops for low income families under $100.
Click here to apply for the program and fill out the form. You can get a Chromebook for just $20 – $50 and free internet service at one-time payments until the program ends. You may get English + Spanish language support.
Information asked in the application form are following :-
- First Name
- Last Name
- Phone Number
- Street Address
- City
- State
- Zip code
- School Name
- Grade Level
- Student ID
- Gender
- Race/Ethnicity
Other Organizations
Along with this above-mentioned organization, there is an organization that helps you get a Free laptop from the government.
Here’s a list and link to the following non-profit organizations :-
- World Computer Exchange – click here
- SmartRiverSide – click here
- Technology For Future – click here
- The On It Foundation – click here
Conclusion :-
The world has progressed a lot and laptops and computers are not luxury devices to own, but they have become a necessity for students. Free laptops and computers can help poor, low-income individuals have remote, freelancing work and get some cash. They can use it for their college assignments and projects. So many non-profit organizations and the government itself have taken steps towards connecting every individual with up-to-date technology along with broadband connectivity.
We hope our guide on “How to get a free laptop” will help you and you will apply for laptops without following any hectic, rigorous procedures. Do comment back if you like our guide. Thank you for your time and consideration, see you next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a Free Government Laptop?
Getting a free government laptop for students has become easier than ever. You just have to make sure you fall under the eligibility criteria mentioned above. If yes, then go through the links provided, fill out the application form and wait for them to respond.
Which laptops will I get?
You will get refurbished laptops or computers of various models :-
- Chromebook Tier 2
- Windows Tier 3
- New Dell Latitude
What are the eligibility criteria for free laptop?
Eligibility criteria for free laptops from the government are mentioned below :-
- You must have an income equal to or lower than the federal US poverty guidelines.
- You or any of your family members must have benefits from federal assistance programs or be a military veteran.
