Merced College to loan more than 1,500 laptops to students enrolled in fall semester

Merced College announced Monday, that it will loan more than 1,500 laptops to students enrolled in the college’s fall semester.

Quantities are limited and priority will be given to full-time students enrolled in 12 or more credits who are in good academic standing, according to a Merced College news release.

The loaner program is intended to reduce the financial burden of studying online.

The college announced in late June that it would offer most fall 2020 classes online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That decision was made after considering the impacts of COVID-19, with guidance from administration, public health and partner institutions.

According to Greg Soto, Merced College dean of student services, staff have been working to finalize details of the laptop loaner program.

“By loaning laptops to current and potential students, my sincerest hope is that we remove obstacles to any student who wants to continue their education at Merced College,” Soto said in the release.

“Access to technology may be a barrier to a large percentage of our student population.”

Students who apply for the program and qualify will be notified by email of an assigned appointment date and time. T

The laptops will be distributed to students one week before the semester begins on Aug. 17.

COVID-19 guidelines will be communicated to students ahead of their appointment to pick up the laptops, which will be distributed via a curbside drive-through and walk-up window, according to the release.

The college said it will also offer access to free and expanded Wi-Fi throughout its main campus.

Previously, a spring semester loaner program made 400 desktop computers available to students. The college had surveyed students on technology needed to complete classes when classes moved online during the statewide stay-at-home order in March.

Merced College said students who benefited from that program will continue to have access to the desktop computers if the students continue studies in the fall.

According to Merced College, students interested in the loaner program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by completing and submitting a form on the college’s website.

Enrollment for the fall semester is ongoing and open now on the college’s website.

This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 1:20 PM.