laptop

smspencer

Is there any financial help available for students to get laptops, does anyone know? My daughter will need one for college in September and I'm a single mum. Have had a quick look round the net but can't find any info. Now EMA has gone it's going to be even harder :-(

Taiko

There is financial help, and always has been.

It's called saving. Laptops aren't an essential thing. If it's wanted, save hard for one.

alancam

smspencer,

As Taiko said, they aren't essential. I saved for one for a year through part time work before I went to uni (first time round!) but I could certainly have survived without. They are luxuries, really.

Local and college libraries/microlabs have computers with internet access. These are free to use and printing is cheap (and mostly unnecessary).

So don't worry - your daughter will be fine without!

melancholly

i actually think now it's easier to get away without having one. maybe 6/8 years ago the student computing facilities were heavily used. now so many people have their own computer that these facilities are often free.

what course will she be doing and what computing facilities will the college have? no point spending money you don't have on something you might not need (and i know it will be easier for her to have one that's hers. but if you don't have the money it has to about needs not wants)

alancam

Oh - but also, if your daughter suffers from dyslexia/dyscalculia/other specific learning disability then support for purchasing laptops, dictaphones and other learning aids is available.

Information on this will be available through the college.

(Note - the test for the disabilities is expensive, so don't "chance it"--only have your child tested if she's having difficulties with her learning that suggest this problem)

Oldernotwiser

A laptop isn't essential for college courses as most colleges now have excellent computing facilities on site.

smspencer

Oh that's fine then - I was under the impression she would be lost without one!! Been a long time since I knew about college-related things lol. Thanks for your help guys.

melancholly

smspencer wrote: »

Oh that's fine then - I was under the impression she would be lost without one!! Been a long time since I knew about college-related things lol. Thanks for your help guys.

i'm sure she'll tell you it's vital! at any rate, wait until after she's started. if it's possible to put aside a little money each month over the summer, it might be a good starting point to get one if it does turn out she needs one. if not, use it for something like Christmas!!

(i wish students didn't always use computers - their exams are handwritten and it shows up those who rely on spell check in word and have appalling handwriting!)