MIT does not include a computer in the cost of attendance. However, if you plan to purchase a computer while at MIT and need financial assistance, we can help.
Institutional resources
MIT Computer Access Program
Students with a $0 parent contribution are eligible to receive a new laptop—at no cost—to use during their time as an undergraduate at MIT.
While the laptop will be owned by MIT until you graduate, you will have full administrative privileges to configure the laptop to your preferences and install any needed software. You will also have the laptop during all breaks and over the summers. Students who participate in the Computer Access Program may keep their issued laptop after completing their undergraduate degree. Ownership of the device transfers to the student once their degree requirements are fulfilled. Program participants will receive additional details as they approach graduation.
Your laptop will be delivered to you with recommended security applications and will satisfy the computer hardware requirements for MIT students. It will come with a 4-year extended warranty to allow MIT Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) to coordinate support, at no cost to you, should any technical issues arise.
Eligible first-year students are contacted about the program in the early summer after they enroll. Students should reach out to IS&T directly at firstyear-computing@mit.edu with questions.
Please note: You may acquire a computer through the MIT Computer Access Program or via an outside scholarship, but not both.
Short-term loaner laptops
If you are in a pinch and need a laptop while your computer order is being processed/shipped, IS&T has a Computing Equipment Loan Program where you can request a short-term loaner laptop.
Outside resources
Outside scholarships
If you have any outside scholarships or resources (including Pell Grants) that exceed your student contribution on your financial aid, you may be able to use a portion of your outside scholarships toward the one-time purchase of a computer.
If you’d like to explore this option, you should reach out to your financial aid counselor. Email them to let them know you would like to use outside scholarship funds to purchase a computer, and include your full name, MIT ID number, and either a screenshot with price of the computer you want to purchase, or the receipt if you’ve recently purchased one.
Please note: Allowances for a computer are limited to the most expensive computer that IS&T recommends.
Loans
Although we don’t expect students to need a loan to afford MIT, they can sometimes be an effective way to manage your money. If you want to explore using a loan to purchase a computer, we can help.
A Federal Direct Loan or an MIT Tech loan may be good options depending upon eligibility, and we can help you figure that out. Email us at getaloan@mit.edu to let us know you’d like to take out a loan for a computer, and include your full name, MIT ID number, the amount you are looking to borrow, and either a screenshot of the computer you’d like to purchase, or a receipt if you’ve already purchased one.
Keep in mind that your loan is divided between the fall and spring semesters, so the full amount you borrow will not be immediately available on your student account.