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Laptop Program

General Information

Texas Tech University School of Law students who qualify for financial aid may add the cost of a new laptop computer to their educational budget. To pay for the laptop, students may increase their financial aid package up to $3,500, a one-time School of Law career opportunity.

Keep in mind that some financial aid funds, such as federal Stafford loans, have annual maximums for the academic year. If the maximum in federal Stafford loans has already been borrowed for the year, then any increases to the educational budget incurred by the cost of a new laptop must be covered by a private loan. The amount of funding available will vary by student, based on remaining eligibility in federal programs or approval of an alternative loan by the lender.

If the funds are received electronically, then they will be paid to the student through the student’s tuition and fee accounts in Student Business Services. If the funds are sent by paper check, the loan proceeds will first be sent to Student Business Services in 301 West Hall. Students may not pick up their refund at SBS. The refund amount will be sent to the student via direct deposit or mailed to their address on file. Students should be aware that any remaining balances on tuition and fee accounts would be paid before loan proceeds are released. Charges may include tuition and fees, late charges, parking citations, etc.

A student may need to apply for an alternative loan to cover the cost of the laptop computer.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions:

Texas Tech University: finaid.advisor@ttu.edu
School of Law: Billy Tiongco (806) 742-3990 x307.

Laptop Purchase/Certification Process

For the cost of a laptop computer to qualify for financial aid, students must follow the following steps:

  1. Students will need either an official estimate for the laptop computer on an invoice or letterhead from the supplier or a purchase receipt showing the total cost of the laptop computer. Students should mail or fax their estimate or receipt along with a completed Computer Purchase Request Form, available from the Law School.

    We are unable to make a blanket allowance for laptop computer purchases. We are required to treat each purchase individually. Financial aid will recognize either the cost of the laptop computer or the maximum set by the School of Law, whichever is less.
  2. Financial Aid will review all applications.
  3. After purchasing the laptop, print, complete, sign, and bring the Certification Form, along with the purchase receipt, to the School of Law's Financial Aid officer. If the student has borrowed the maximum in federal Stafford loans ($20,500) for the year, the additional cost must be covered by a private loan. For students starting in the fall, purchases must be made after July 1st to be valid. However, please note that financial aid processing and disbursement for the laptop computer purchase will not be available until after July.

Laptop Computer Minimum Requirements

In order to qualify for financial aid support for the laptop purchase, the laptop computer must meet the following minimum specifications.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

NOTES:

Optional:

Microsoft XP Professional, and the latest versions of Microsoft Office, Front Page and Norton Anti-Virus are available for download to students with a valid eRaider account. (http://www.eraider.ttu.edu).

Ordering the Laptop Computer

Dell Laptops

Law students may participate in a special arrangement with Dell Computers to obtain a laptop that meets the school's software and hardware network configuration requirements. Dell laptops purchased through the Laptop Program will come preloaded with all drivers, software, and hardware configurations needed to connect to the Texas Tech University network.

Dell laptops purchased through the Laptop Program come with a three-year on-site repair or replacement warranty and the Gold level service program. By purchasing a Dell laptop, the user is also entitled to access Dell support wherever a Dell support center/technician is available.

If you are purchasing a Dell laptop through the Laptop Program, do not purchase any software from Dell that can be obtained through your eRaider account. Since your required software is made available through Texas Tech University, you will not be required to purchase additional software through Dell.

The Dell computers purchased through this program are designed to support a student through three years of law school and come with a three year on-site repair or replacement warranty.

Go directly to the Dell TTU School of Law purchasing site.

Non-Dell Laptops

Students who wish to purchase a non-Dell laptop are still eligible for financial assistance as long as the laptop meets the Minimum Hardware Requirements above.

Non-Dell laptops may come pre-installed with the Home version of Windows XP. Please note that the staff cannot support the Home version of Windows XP. Operating system upgrades to either Windows XP Professional or Windows Vista Enterprise (when made available), will be the student's responsibility. Upgrades to Windows XP Professional are available for download through individual eRaider accounts. The student is also responsible for having the appropriate drivers for any network card(s). General help for locating drivers for Dell, HP/Compaq, Toshiba and Sony laptops can be found on the IT Services FAQ.

Students purchasing a laptop computer other than a Dell will have only limited staff support (e.g., wireless card installation or network configuration). The Law School Computer Support staff will make every effort to connect students to the network, but cannot guarantee that any non-Dell laptop will have a well-performing or successful connection.