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Online Nursing Schools that Offer Laptops to Students

Before you log in for a single class, you need a reliable computer. For students already stretching their finances to pursue a nursing degree, finding a laptop can be a serious obstacle. Fortunately, some schools have taken steps to close that gap. Whether by outright gifting devices to new students, folding technology costs into tuition, or offering need-based hardware grants, several programs have made laptop access part of the enrollment experience.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

A person with medium-length hair and glasses smiles while standing outdoors in front of a tree and wooden fence. Wearing a striped shirt, they are surrounded by a lush, grassy area that adds to the serene ambiance of the scene.
Author: Cody DeBos, RN, BSN
A person with medium-length hair and glasses smiles while standing outdoors in front of a tree and wooden fence. Wearing a striped shirt, they are surrounded by a lush, grassy area that adds to the serene ambiance of the scene.
Cody DeBos, RN, BSN Arrow up right
Cody DeBos, RN-BSN, is a pediatric registered nurse and healthcare writer with eight years of professional experience. He's authored hundreds of articles for healthcare organizations including the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine, The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), and Sentara Health. Cody specializes in making complex health topics accessible to a wider audience.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareNursingPediatric Nursing
HealthcareNursingPediatric Nursing
Editor: Jordan Cosselman
A person with curly dark hair, glasses, and a green corduroy jacket stands with arms crossed in front of a textured reddish-brown stone wall.
Jordan Cosselman Arrow up right
Jordan Cosselman is an editor with a BA in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since joining EduMed in 2021, she has been focused on making nursing and allied health education more approachable for students at every stage of their journey. With three years of experience in healthcare education content, Jordan is especially interested in highlighting low-cost, fast-track pathways into the field.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareOnline Learning
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What to Know Before You Enroll

Not all nursing school laptop programs work the same way. Some provide students with a device that is yours to keep—even after graduation. Others offer loaner devices you can use while taking classes and return when you graduate.

Knowing who is eligible for a laptop is an important factor to consider before applying. Receiving a device may depend on enrolling as a full-time student or demonstrating financial need through your FAFSA.

Always confirm current terms directly with your school’s financial aid or IT office before making enrollment decisions based on a laptop benefit.

Finding a nursing program that also hands you the tools to succeed is a real advantage. The five schools below each offer nursing students access to a laptop through a formal institutional program. The structures vary significantly, so read each profile carefully to understand how it might work for your situation.

Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University offers several online nursing programs, including a Practical Nursing Diploma, an Associate of Science in Nursing, a BSN, and an RN to BSN completion program. Accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Rasmussen serves students across multiple states, both online and in-person.

New students enrolling in one of the nursing programs listed above qualify to receive a new Lenovo® V14 AMD Ryzen 5 laptop. If you complete at least three quarters of coursework, the device is yours to keep; otherwise, it must be returned. Only one laptop is provided per student, and previous recipients who re-enroll are not eligible a second time.

For working nurses and new students seeking an affordable path to a BSN with built-in tech support, Rasmussen is worth a close look.

To qualify, students must:

  • Be accepted to the university
  • Opt-in by a specified deadline
  • Sign the Rasmussen Laptop Agreement

Western Governors University (WGU)

WGU is a fully online, non-profit institution with one of the most expansive nursing program offerings in the country. Students can pursue a pre-licensure BSN, RN to BSN, MSN tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

WGU’s Online Access Scholarship provides qualifying new students with a laptop, high-speed internet service, and a webcam for the duration of their program. Note this is a digital equity initiative, so eligibility targets students who lack reliable technology access.

WGU also offers more than 80 other scholarship opportunities for students of all backgrounds, making a nursing degree highly accessible. Prospective students should contact WGU directly to confirm current eligibility requirements and device availability.

Seton Hall University

Based in New Jersey, Seton Hall University’s BSN program has earned top rankings among institutions in the U.S. and is accredited by the CCNE. Along with several advanced nursing degrees, Seton Hall offers a 14-month accelerated hybrid BSN program for those who already have another bachelor’s degree.

Through its Mobile Computing Program, Seton Hall issues undergraduate students a laptop pre-loaded with professional software. Students who complete all required coursework, pass a degree audit, and are in good standing are eligible to keep the device upon graduation.

This laptop program is formally structured for full-time undergraduate students. Prospective ABSN or graduate nursing students should reach out to the university directly to confirm whether the benefit may extend to their specific program.

Moravian University

Moravian University’s Helen S. Breidegam School of Nursing, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offers an online RN to BSN program designed for registered nurses seeking a flexible path to a bachelor’s degree. The program is CCNE accredited and features online clinical experiences for a fully remote learning experience.

Incoming undergraduate students at Moravian are issued a MacBook Pro and iPad. Students who successfully complete their degree in good standing can keep their devices after graduation. Eligibility applies to all incoming undergraduate students, so those pursuing the online RN-to-BSN or an advanced nursing degree should confirm the current device policy directly with the school.

SUNY Morrisville

SUNY Morrisville offers an ACEN-accredited fully online RN to BSN program designed for nurses looking to advance their practice. All nursing courses are offered asynchronously and taught by doctoral-prepared faculty with extensive nursing experience. The asynchronous nature of the program makes it a great choice for working RNs.

Through its Student Laptop Loaner Program, SUNY Morrisville provides enrolled students with a no-cost laptop for up to a full semester at a time. Students must apply through an online portal prior to the start of the semester. Because availability is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, students should apply as early as possible after enrollment.

Note this is a loaner program, so devices must be returned in person and in good condition at the end of the semester. Fees apply for lost, damaged, or unreturned laptops.

Other Ways to Get a Laptop for Nursing School

If the nursing school you want to attend doesn’t offer a laptop program (most don’t), you still have options.

Federal financial aid, including funds disbursed through FAFSA, can be applied to technology purchases when they’re part of a school’s estimated cost of attendance. A financial aid refund check, issued when your aid exceeds direct school costs, can also help cover a laptop. Additionally, campus IT departments at many schools offer short-term loaner programs for students in a pinch.

If you prefer to own your device, many institutions also have technology partnerships with manufacturers like Dell, Apple, and Lenovo that offer significant discounts for students.

Outside your school, organizations like PCs for People help provide discounted or donated computers to income-qualifying students.

If you’re not sure where to start, try contacting your school’s financial aid office to see if they have any connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will FAFSA pay for my laptop?

FAFSA itself doesn’t pay for anything directly, but rather determines your eligibility for federal financial aid. That said, laptops can be covered by your financial aid package when your school includes technology in its total cost of attendance estimate.

If your aid amount exceeds the cost of your tuition and fees, you’ll receive a refund check, which you can use to buy a computer. Be sure to check with your school’s financial aid office to confirm whether technology is included in their estimate.

Which laptop brand is best for nursing students?

There’s no single best laptop brand, but there are some important factors to consider, including:

  • Sufficient processing power to run nursing-specific software
  • Battery life
  • Memory

Lenovo, HP, and Dell consistently earn high marks in the education market. Apple’s MacBooks are popular with students who prefer macOS, but you’ll want to confirm the software is compatible with your school’s IT infrastructure first.

Do I need a laptop as a nursing student?

Yes. This is true for all nursing students, but especially if you’re enrolled in an online program. A smartphone or tablet can supplement your studies, but they typically won’t meet all of a program’s technical requirements.

Most nursing schools publish a list of minimum technology specifications alongside their enrollment materials. Be sure to review those specifications early so you’re not scrambling to find a capable device after classes begin.

How much RAM do I need for nursing school?

For most nursing students, 8 GB of RAM is the practical minimum, and it’s what most schools specify in their technology requirements. It will handle standard coursework, video streaming, and most software without issue.

If your budget allows, 16 GB of RAM delivers a faster, smoother experience — especially if you like to run multiple programs simultaneously.

Avoid laptops with 4 GB of RAM as they are increasingly underpowered for modern software demands.

Is an HP laptop good for nursing school?

HP laptops are a solid choice for nursing students and are widely used in academic settings. Some schools issue HP devices to students or recommend them during the admissions process.

HP’s ProBook and EliteBook lines in particular offer a good balance of durability, processing power, and battery life at a range of price points. For nursing school, look for an HP model with

  • Windows 11 compatibility
  • At least 8 GB of RAM
  • Current-generation processor

Keep Learning

How Technology is Changing Healthcare Education

See how technology like VR, simulation, and...

Find Online Medical Billing & Coding Classes that Provide Laptops

Explore online medical billing and coding classes...

Assistive Technology & College: Key Software and Devices for Student Success

Find out how tools like screen readers,...

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN AUTHOR

Cody DeBos, RN-BSN, is a pediatric registered nurse and healthcare writer with eight years of professional experience. He's authored hundreds of articles for healthcare organizations including the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine, The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), and Sentara Health. Cody specializes in making complex health topics accessible to a wider audience.

Read More About Cody DeBos

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR

Jordan Cosselman is an editor with a BA in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since joining EduMed in 2021, she has been focused on making nursing and allied health education more approachable for students at every stage of their journey. With three years of experience in healthcare education content, Jordan is especially interested in highlighting low-cost, fast-track pathways into the field.

Read More About Jordan Cosselman
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