Today’s digital world requires everyone to access a desktop or a laptop, especially for students homeschooling. Most importantly, homeschoolers rely on these gadgets to access their education materials. What if the homeschoolers come from low-income backgrounds? Government-sponsored programs, such as Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), give access to free laptops to eligible individuals.
List of Wireless Providers that Offer Free ACP Laptops for Homeschoolers
1) Excess Telecom
Affordable Connectivity Program uses Excess Telecom to benefit eligible individuals with free internet and devices. Through this provider, ACP helps learners from low-income backgrounds acquire free laptops.
2) Life Wireless
If you live in Arkansas, Missouri, and Maryland in the US, you will receive free services from Life Wireless. You can apply for a free laptop for homeschooling from Life Wireless through ACP. ACP is a government-supported provider offering eligible individuals free and discounted services. As a homeschooler, you can benefit from a free iPad through Life Wireless if you meet its eligibility criteria.
3) SafeLink Wireless
Safelink Wireless offer you with unlimited data, text and talk plus 10GB hotspot data if eligible for ACP. Besides, it provides free gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops to low income customers and homeschoolers.
4) Easy Wireless
Easy Wireless provides unlimited data, SMS and talk time, a free sim card kit, and activation. You can benefit from this government-sponsored program if the provider is in your area.
5) Tag Mobile
You can get discounted services such as texts and talk through Tag Mobile. Furthermore, it partners with the US government to offer ACP free laptops, phones, and tablets to eligible low income households.
6) Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a California Lifeline provider that supports low-income individuals. Assurance Wireless partners with the government to offer free laptops to eligible people through $100 ACP discount.
7) Tempo Wireless
If you are in South Florida, Tempo is one of the providers offering free laptops for homeschoolers. It does this to allow low-income households equal access to educational resources and materials.
8) Suddenlink
Suddenlink Communications is also a provider you could consider if you wish to apply for a free laptop for homeschooling. It also offers free internet access that you can use to research school work.
9) Choice Wireless
Just like any other provider that partners with the US government, Choice Wireless provides free or $100 discounted laptops for learners doing homeschooling.
Non Governmental Organizations / Programs offering Free Laptops for Homeschoolers
10) Laptops 4 Learning
Laptop 4 Learning aims to ensure equal access to digital gadgets for all learners. Students from low-income households and war veterans are among the individuals that benefit from this program.
11) Interconnection
Residents in the Seattle area are among the top beneficiaries of the Interconnection program for free laptops for homeschoolers. It partners with companies like Lenovo to bring free and discounted laptops for learners in low-income households.
12 ) PCs for People Free Laptop Assistance Program
Less fortunate individuals benefit from this program by receiving free laptops. You must be below the 200% poverty line to be eligible for this program assistance.
13) Everyone on Program
It is a non-profit program that helps those in need. It does this by delivering laptops at zero to minimal cost to homeschoolers.
14) Technology for the Future
It is a program based in North Carolina aiming to deliver easy access to technology. It provides its services in the US and Canada, allowing eligible homeschoolers access to free laptops.
15) World Computer Exchange
It is a program that offers free and refurbished laptops to low-income individuals in homeschooling programs. WCE has a website you can access and send your application.
16) Computer with Causes
CWC is also an NGO that supports disadvantaged individuals. They are a reliable option if you are considering getting a free laptop as they support struggling families, those in shelters, and foster homes.
17) Notebook For Students
Notebook For Students is a renowned non-profit organization that offers free laptops for homeschoolers under Microsoft policies.
18) On It Foundation
On It Foundation is a charity organization in the US that provides free laptops for homeschoolers. You must enroll in public K-12 education to qualify for its benefits.
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Steps to Apply for Free Laptops for Homeschoolers
The following are steps to acquiring a free laptop for homeschoolers;
Step 1: Research Available Programs offering free laptops
You can check with your internet provider, a local library for programs, or organizations offering free laptops. Your provider will help you identify the program and its eligibility criteria to find the best option.
Step 2: Check Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is vital when applying for a free laptop for homeschoolers. You need to prove the status of your eligibility.
Step 3: Find Supporting Documents
After checking the edibility criteria for a free laptop application, gather the support documents to prove your need, as seen above.
Step 4: Send an application
Access the website of the program or organization you have selected. Fill out the application form and attach all the supporting documents you gathered above.
Step 5: Submit your application
If it was manual, submit it to the location indicated by the program. However, in most cases, the application and submission process is online.
Step 6: Follow up if need be
Most organizations will keep in touch with you to announce the status of your application or request for additional support documents. If you do not get feedback within a reasonable time, you can follow up with an email.
Step 7: Acquire your free laptop
Once the organization, internet provider, or program approves your application, you will receive a free laptop.
Get a Free Laptop or a $100 Discount for Homeschoolers Under Government Program
Over the years, The US government has been on the frontline to make necessities accessible to low-income households. In this regard, there is an Affordable Connectivity Program through which an eligible individual or household can benefit from.
Homeschoolers from low-income households can also obtain a one-time discount of up to $100 from ACP to buy a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer from participating providers. In this case, you must co-pay more than $10 and below $50 toward the buying price. If you wish to benefit from ACP free laptop as a homeschooler, you may need to participate in any of the following;
- Supplementary Security Income (SSI)
- Medicaid
- WIC
- Pension Benefits
- Reduced Price Lunch
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
Eligibility Requirements for ACP Laptop for Homeschoolers
While being part of any of the above boosts your application process, there are several eligibility requirements you need to check out to benefit from the $100 discount ACP government program for laptops. You must prove;
Your Identity
The ACP benefits US citizens only. Hence, you must provide proof of Citizenship in the country by submitting your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, permanent residence card, or green card. You can also use your certificate of Citizenship as proof.
Your Income
Remember, ACP is a government program that aims to help individuals from low-income backgrounds. To qualify for free laptops as a homeschooler, one must be from a household at or below the 200% poverty level. You can prove it through:
- Your paycheck stubs
- Child support award documents
- Your latest statement from your recent employer
Program Participation
Homeschoolers participating in free or reduced school lunch and breakfast programs may receive a free laptop through ACP’s $100 discount. In this regard, you must prove participation by providing any of the below documents:
- Benefit Award letter
- School documentation
- Approval letter
- Statement of Benefits
Types of Free Laptops You May Get as a Homeschooler
- Dell XPS 13
It is a 13 Gen Intel laptop with a Core of i7-1360P. It has a 13.4″ touch display that is good for homeschooling learners. Also, it has a memory of 16GB with 512GB storage. It has a height of 0.60in. (15.28mm), a depth of 7.85i. (199.04mm) and a width of 11.63in. (295.30mm).
Pros
- Good battery life
- Keyboard with a fingerprint reader
- Seamless and responsive touchpad
Cons
- Overheating
- Apple iMac Retina 5K 27″
Apple iMac 27-inch (2020) has a 10th-generation Intel Comet Lake processor for robust performance, speedy solid-state drives (SSDs), powerful AMD Radeon Pro graphics cards, and ample 32GB DDR4 RAM. That’s more than enough for homeschoolers and professionals working from home.
Pros
- Better storage and RAM options
- Improved graphics
- Vastly improved performance
Cons
- Old design
- ASUS Chromebook Flip C436
It is a 14-inch Full HD (1920*1080) display laptop with enough 128GB and 8GB RAM storage. It can also be available in 512GM storage and 16GM RAM. Its battery life of up to 12 hours is favorable for a homeschooling individual.
Pros
- A good battery life of 12 hours
- Good display quality
- Flexibility
Cons
- Limited Software
What Should You Do if Your Application Was Rejected
If your application for a free laptop was rejected, you first need to check out why. There are various reasons why an application can get rejected. If it was an ACP rejection, it could be a lack of enough documentation proof. In this case, contact the program and inquire what details to correct or, if it’s missing documentation, which ones to include for successful applications.
Furthermore, you can seek alternatives offering free laptops in your region. You will need to check their eligibility criteria before sending your application. If you wish to explore this option, there are non-government organizations offering free laptops for home schoolers you could check.
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Is a laptop or desktop better for homeschoolers?
Both laptops and desktops are favorable for homeschoolers. However, the preference may differ depending on your budget, access to needs, and your home situation. For instance, a laptop would be more convenient if you travel too often.
If, as a homeschooler, my free laptop application was rejected, can I again apply for a desktop computer?
You can apply for a desktop computer if your free laptop application is rejected. Please go through the organization’s eligibility criteria before submitting your request.
Bottom Line
Owning a laptop has become a crucial necessity for all homeschoolers. Hence, there is a need to have at least one in every household. Programs such as Affordable Connectivity Program have played a part in ensuring that individuals from low-income households have an equal chance of proper homeschooling. It has done this through free and $100 discounted laptops across the US. If you wish to qualify for this free laptop government-sponsored program, it would be wise to be a participant in programs such as SSI and Medicaid or attain the income threshold for low income.
