Low Income College Students Need Laptops!

Hi Everyone,

I work for a grant program at Grand Valley State University and we help empower and assist low income, first-generation college students succeed in college.  We work with a number of students who have no computer and rely on the on-campus computer labs for their technology.  The problem with is the computer labs are overcrowded and many of these students try to live at home (with no computer access) or commute from off-campus for cheaper housing.

I am working to get some laptops that we can gift our most impoverished students.  This would help them achieve academic success without the obstacle limited access to computer technology.

Would anyone know of any organization that donates laptops or any grants that may be available to help me help these students?  Any help would be greatly appreciated~!

Marnie Parris, Educational Support Program at GVSU in west Michigan

Do you have a board of directors or advisory boards made up of community leaders?  It would be good to check with them and see if any of them are from businesses that do technology turns.  This is one group that already has an interest and passion for your mission, so half the battle is already won.  (I know this repeats what Sasha said in your intorduction)

Another thought is that net books are available in the $300.00 range.  You can't play DVDs on them or load your favorite CD based game.  But for fundamental office type work, email and non intensive web usage, they are an inexpensive way to get some data processing capability.  So could you create a scholarship program where community people would donate a net book to the cause (possibly with the ability to mentor and have some relationship with the student like a family away from family) where they know the resource is being used, and not game playing, watching movies and the like.

Dave