A new academic year often starts with various discount offers and gifts for students. It helps most students to maintain their budget as they move to university life. Some schools also present much more than only college necessities at a good deal. Most universities deliver free iPads or laptops to newcomers as a push to balance digital distribution in learning.
Edtech (educational technology) is hybrid learning and becoming the standard in most universities around the world. Moreover, a smooth-running device is essential to confirm an encouraging classroom experience. Research conducted in 2020 on a large number of incoming students at American universities.
The study concluded that the ownership of a laptop is deeply bound to academic performance. However, the overall negative college performance was connected to non-owners of laptops. A more reliable laptop or iPad with excellent performance can optimize users’ study time. Most intelligent students always get shiny new gadgets on their first day.
Rewards for the 1st Year Students from US Universities
The following universities are some of the international institutions offering free laptops and iPads to incoming students.
DSU or Dakota State University
The WMCI (Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative) of DSU was launched in 2004. The project is offering a new laptop to full-time students each fall. The incoming students will receive the latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga uniquely customized for DSU programs.
Moreover, the device includes pre-installed licensed software along with warranty protection and battery replacement features. There is also an on-campus Help Desk for those who experience problems with the laptop. But the laptop owners must pay for repair costs for the damages.
Delaware State University
The institution is one of the most inventive public HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) in the US. Delaware State University was established 130 years ago and is dedicated to providing impartial access to higher education. Since May 2018, the DSU (Digital Student Universe) initiative the University welcomes all new first-year students.
Meanwhile, all graduates from high school in May 2018 are qualified for a 16GB Apple iPad Pro in Space Gray. Users can also get a 13-inch MacBook Pro but it depends on their subject-oriented observance. Each of these free gifts for students includes a protective case and a compatible smart keyboard. The iPad users will get an Apple Pencil as well as a 1-year warranty for all devices.
Moravian University
New students of Moravian University get both an Apple MacBook Pro and an iPad after accepting an offer of admission. They will become the owners of their devices after the completion of their graduation. This remarkable gift principally approves the university’s status as an ADS (Apple Distinguished School).
University of Minnesota Crookston
The University of Minnesota Crookston was established in 1993. It is the 1st American higher education institution to offer free laptops to all on-campus students. Each new student will get a new standard laptop on their first day. Meanwhile, Fall-2022 on-campus students will receive an HP Elitebook x360 1040 laptop.
Chatham University
This is a private university based in Pittsburgh. The university offers a 13-inch MacBook Air to all new first-year undergraduate students. Its Undergraduate 1:1 Laptop Program also includes a laptop case and a backpack. However, qualified students with migration status will get MacBook Air or a 13-inch MacBook.
