Help with buying a laptop(single parent)

Gemma7_2

Hi i'm not sure if this is the right place to post but im lost as to where to look next.

I am a single mum of two children and am nearing the ned of my Access to teaching course and due to start Uni in sept. I currently have a comp lent to me by a very kind friend but i will have to give it back soon and am trying to find out if there is any help out there towards the cost of a laptop.
I have asked at the college and they said no i have also contacted my local Lions club but they said theyre was insufficient funds to cover all the requests.

Does anyone know if there is any other help available? Thanks for reading.

Gem

pinkshoes

Why don't you look on your local Freecycle to see if anyone's giving one away for free? If you just need it for word processing and internet, then a 2nd hand one for about £20 will do just fine.

SO many companies have old computers they no longer that are perfectly adequate for what you'll need, so why not contact local companies to see if they can help?

I could have given you one 6 months ago, but it went to a kid via Connexions as they didn't have a PC at home.

Voyager2002

And just one point: decide if you really need a laptop (as in your subject) or whether a desktop would meet your needs. It is easy to pick up an ageing computer for very little money, but a useful laptop requires a fairly serious investment.

Gemma7_2

hi thanks for your replies i have been looking on my freecycle but nothing as yet i have a desktop that i am borrowing at the minute but i really dont have room for it with 2 year old twins running round. I have started saving already and was really hoping for a laptop as it would mean i could work and keep an eye on the boys at the same time. (my comp has to be upstairs at the min) I will try asking local companies though thanks.

Firehorse

Hi Gemma7,

You mentioned asking at your college, who did you ask? Student Support may have one you could borrow. There is also the hardship fund, but I would be surprised if they would push to a laptop.

Sometimes, there are bursaries attached to colleges which, if you fit the criteria, you could apply for. There are also bursaries available from independant sources. A quick search on the net gave me this site, which I have used in the passed. I also think there is a similar resource at local libraries.

http://www.scholarship-search.org.uk/

Also, not prying, but if you have some form of learning disability, ie dyslexia and you are assessed then you may be able to claim through Disabled Students Allowance for equipment useful for your course.

My twins are a little older now, but I remember what "fun" they were at two!

All the best with your studies.

jaz720848

Hi gemma,

I would contact the student support dept of the university that your going to, they may be able to find out if you can get a grant or bursaries through the uni or through you LEA (Local Education Authority). Also I know that a lot of university's have schemes where you cant rent laptops or you cant rent them on a rent-to-buy system, basically like finance but with less interest attached. Also depending on your age you can apply for certain grants like, ema for 16-18 years old, and if your 20+ you can apply for an alg (adult learning grant).

hope that will be help full

Cleosmum

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/DG_10033131

roxalana

I can see your reasons for wanting a laptop, but please don't rule out a desk top. As someone else has said they are easier to pick up cheap or free and are more reliable.

They are also (slightly!) less attractive to small hands - laptops tend to get damaged very easily and if you take it out and about more likely to be stolen and laptop insurance is very very expensive.

fordrowland

have you tried aldi ,my daughters going to college in september and has bought a beauty Medion try their web site aldi .co.uk good look

ali137

try ebay, dell laptop my sister bought her one for £100 but second-hand version.

Gemma7_2

Thanks for all your advice i will definately have a look at all the links and ebay i could stretch to £100 with a little more saving.
I would prefer not to have another desktop as it wont be used just as with this one im borrowing i can only use when they are in bed as i cant leave 2 year old twins downstairs alone or god help what would happen lol.
I had better go they are currently stood at the stair gate wanting to go downstairs.

Thanks again!

Gem