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Technology Loan Program
While planning for your coursework, please allow for extra time to receive technology devices. Shipments are made regularly within the five-day work week.
The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) Office of Student Services is pleased to offer enrolled students the opportunity to borrow a Dell laptop to use in an emergency for up to thirty days. A valid EMPLID number is required for enrollment verification.
Loans are shipped to students via FedEx at no cost, and include a prepaid return shipping label. We recommend that students keep the original shipping box to simplify the return process. When ready to ship the device, students can drop the package off at any FedEx location.
Most students requesting a computer will receive Dell laptop. All laptops provided will have access to specialized programs (SPSS, Access, Tableau, etc.) or the CUNY Virtual Desktop for a course.
The Dell Latitude E5470 laptops are loaded with the CUNY SPS standard suite of programs—MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, SPS, and more—students may need to complete for their coursework. They are equipped with Wi-Fi for access to wireless networks.
Students interested in borrowing technology must complete the Laptop Loan Liability Agreement Form (PDF) and email it to Student Services, along with a current shipping address and a brief description of the emergency.
It is important that students understand that the emergency technology loan program can only function if borrowers return equipment at the end of the 30-day period. This time should allow for the repair of broken computers and/or an exploration of options for purchasing a new computer. Failure to return the device when the loan period is over may result in a registration hold and/or fine.
Please note that when students submit an emergency request for a laptop we will consider and not consider the following requests.
Acceptable Requests (but not limited to):
- Physically destroyed laptop:
- If your laptop was physically destroyed, you must send a photograph of the destroyed laptop or desktop computer itself, indicating where the damage has occurred. Alternatively, you could provide an invoice for the repair of the laptop or desktop computer.
- If your laptop was physically destroyed, you must send a photograph of the destroyed laptop or desktop computer itself, indicating where the damage has occurred. Alternatively, you could provide an invoice for the repair of the laptop or desktop computer.
- Stolen laptop/desktop:
- If your laptop/desktop was stolen, you must provide a police report listing the stolen laptop or desktop.
- If your laptop/desktop was stolen, you must provide a police report listing the stolen laptop or desktop.
- Laptop/desktop hardware malfunctions:
- Provide a picture or screenshot of the issue along with a detailed statement describing the problem with your computer. Additional actions may be required, such as an invoice for the repair of the computer device or a letter from the financial aid department indicating that no FAFSA or TAP is available to cover repair costs.
- Provide a picture or screenshot of the issue along with a detailed statement describing the problem with your computer. Additional actions may be required, such as an invoice for the repair of the computer device or a letter from the financial aid department indicating that no FAFSA or TAP is available to cover repair costs.
- Financial Issues:
- If you are experiencing a financial emergency and cannot afford to repair or purchase a laptop/computer due to other pending expenses, you may be eligible to receive a laptop if you provide information indicating your financial need through one of these two options:
- Financial Aid Department Letter: Contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine if you are eligible for any FAFSA or TAP funding. If no funding is available, please have the office write a letter confirming this.
- Scholarship Office: Check with the scholarship office to see if you qualify for any scholarships that can help you purchase a laptop.
- If you are experiencing a financial emergency and cannot afford to repair or purchase a laptop/computer due to other pending expenses, you may be eligible to receive a laptop if you provide information indicating your financial need through one of these two options:
In addition, here are some ways students can purchase a discounted laptop or access free resources specifically for New York City residents to use or borrow a computer for free:
- Purchase a Discounted CUNY Laptop: Check out this link to see available free CUNY laptops - CUNY Laptop Offers.
- Free Public Places to Use or Borrow a computer:
- Brooklyn Public Library Laptop Loan
- New York Public Library Computer Reservations
- Queens Library Computer Services
- NYC Free Computer Usage Locations - A database of locations that offer free computer usage. Please call ahead to learn about the specific rules for computer usage at each location.
- Additional Emergencies:
- If none of the above emergencies apply, submit a two-paragraph statement with the technology loan program form explaining your emergency. Please note that laptops are not provided for completing assignments; students must be responsible for their own access to complete assignments. The Office of Student Life will assess eligibility, and additional documentation may be required based on the emergency.
Note: CUNY SPS is not responsible for data recovery on the borrowed devices. Please make sure to back up your data online or on an external drive. Upon return, all data on the hard drive will be lost. The CUNY SPS Help Desk will only provide support with username and password issues.
The Help Desk will not support:
- Any personal wired or wireless devices that need to be configured for use with the laptop
- Any CUNY SPS software installed on the machine
- Any course required software installed on the machine
- Any data residing on the machine
If a machine is experiencing issues, Student Services may provide a replacement. Contact the CUNY SPS Help Desk for assistance at (646) 664-8592 or helpdesk@sps.cuny.edu.