Find a Free or Low-Cost Laptop You Actually Qualify For
One directory covering nonprofits, government programs, providers, schools, universities, and libraries — filter by your state, benefits, and situation to see what really fits.
State, eligibility, organization type & device
Four Ways to Get a Laptop
Whichever way you think about your situation, we've organized the entire directory around it - or apply directly through us.
Apply Directly→
Submit your info and eligibility - we'll match you to a program or follow up about device availability.
Free Government Laptop→
Understand what the government actually offers - Lifeline, WIOA, Pell Grants - and where nonprofits fill the gap.
Free Laptop with EBT→
See exactly how your EBT/SNAP card qualifies you for real programs, step by step.
Find by Situation→
Student, veteran, senior, disabled, job seeker - jump straight to programs built for you.
Where the Programs Actually Are
Counted directly from our research — how many programs on this site serve each situation, and what kind of organizations make up the directory.
Programs by Situation
Directory Composition
The Most Comprehensive Directory Available
We've spent hundreds of hours researching, verifying, and categorizing every legitimate free laptop program in the United States so you don't have to start from scratch.
Nonprofits and charities distributing devices locally and nationally.
Federal and state initiatives that fund technology access.
In-depth guides for localized programs in major US states.
Colleges that provide free laptops alongside your enrollment.
Explore the Full Directory
Organizations→
18 nonprofits & charities, profiled in full.
Government Programs→
Lifeline, WIOA, Pell Grants, and more.
Benefit Programs→
EBT, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, WIC, Section 8.
By State→
Local initiatives across 9 states.
Universities→
Colleges that include a laptop with enrollment.
Libraries→
Free laptop & Chromebook lending near you.
Lifeline Providers→
Free phones and discounted internet service.
Compare Programs→
Head-to-head breakdowns to help you decide.
Free Laptops for Every Situation
A closer look at how eligibility actually breaks down across this directory — the exact wording people search for, answered directly.
Free Laptop for Low-Income Families
Most of the directory is built around two qualifying paths: household income at or below roughly 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, or enrollment in a program like SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, or SSI. If you already receive any of those benefits, you can generally skip income paperwork entirely and apply directly to organizations like PCs for People or Human-I-T.
Free Laptop for Students (K-12 & College)
K-12 families should start with The On It Foundation if their child receives free or reduced-price lunch, or simply ask their school whether a 1:1 device program already exists. College students should check whether their own school includes a laptop with enrollment before applying anywhere else — more than a dozen U.S. colleges do.
Free Laptop for Veterans & Seniors
Tech For Troops is built specifically around veteran service members, while seniors have multiple paths including Adaptive.org, senior-friendly Lifeline providers like TAG Mobile, and most public library lending programs, which typically require nothing more than a valid library card.
Free Laptop FAQs
Is there a direct government free laptop program?
Not exactly. No federal agency ships free laptops to individuals directly. Lifeline is the primary ongoing federal program, and it's built around service discounts rather than hardware giveaways. Most of the actual free and low-cost laptops come from nonprofit refurbishers, school district programs, and state/local digital equity initiatives — all of which this site organizes in one place.
Can I get a free laptop with just an EBT card?
An EBT card itself can't be used to buy a laptop, but SNAP/EBT enrollment is accepted as proof of eligibility by many of the programs featured on this site, including PCs for People, Human-I-T, and Lifeline. Bring your card or a recent award letter when you apply.
Do I have to pay anything through Lifeline?
Lifeline discounts your monthly phone or internet service by up to $9.25 (more on Tribal lands) — it isn't a free-hardware program by design. Devices, where offered by a specific provider, are typically discounted rather than free, though promotions do occasionally appear.
What happened to ACP device offers?
The Affordable Connectivity Program ended on June 1, 2024, after Congress did not appropriate additional funding. It used to include up to a $100 device discount. There is currently no federal program that has replaced it — Lifeline remains the active federal resource.
How long does it take to receive a laptop?
It varies significantly by program: library lending can be same-day with a valid card; nonprofit refurbisher programs typically take two weeks to a few months depending on local inventory; WIOA training-linked devices depend on your enrollment and assessment timeline; and school 1:1 programs are often immediate if your child's school already has one running.
Are refurbished laptops reliable?
Generally, yes. Reputable refurbishers test devices thoroughly before distribution and back them with warranties — commonly one year. Business-grade refurbished Dell, HP, and Lenovo machines are typically well-suited for schoolwork, job searching, and everyday use, even if they're not the newest model on the market.
Ready to Get a Laptop?
Apply directly through us, or filter every program on this site by state, benefit enrollment, and situation in under a minute.