Body
Overview
Initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic while campuses were shut down, and administered by the Office of the Provost, the Student Chromebook Loaner Program (SCLP) is intended to provide short- to medium-term to support students who do not have access to the technology resources they need for learning.
For example, a student without access to a computer can request a Chromebook, and then use the University's Virtual Computing Lab to use the software in the computing labs or connect to a class via Zoom.
A
limited number of devices are available for
temporary loan.
Pittsburgh campus students may
request a device online .
Loan Terms & Conditions
- This program only distributes Chromebooks running ChromeOS, which is a lightweight operating system primarily intended for use with web apps and the University's Virtual Student Computing Lab and Virtual Desktops for Remote Work. (For example, if you need to use Microsoft Word, your options are either Microsoft 365 Online or accessing the desktop version through the Virtual Lab or Desktop.) Please ensure that you can access all the resources and programs that you will need through these means prior to proceeding with the loan process. For your convenience, here is an article with some of the pros and cons of ChromeOS . Keep in mind that SCLP devices may not be the latest models but are tested for reliability and equipped with the necessary features to meet the basic needs of an average student.
- Loaner devices and their provided chargers are due back to a Drop-In Support location by the end of the current semester in good working condition. Consult the University's academic calendar for the official end of the term and take note of Drop-In Support location hours when attempting to return your borrowed device.
- The Drop-In Support (DIS) and SCLP teams will not provide replacement chargers for loaned Chromebooks and do not loan out USB-C chargers on their own.
- DIS and SCLP offer no official support for Linux applications running on ChromeOS. Users who choose to do this do so at their own risk.
- Devices are loaned on a first-come, first-served basis, and submission of a request does not guarantee availability.
Detail
Available Technology
Or Equivalent
Request Process
Pittsburgh campus students: Request a device online:
- Submit a request for a device. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- University Computing Account username
- Reason for request and anticipated length of loan
- Department/School and academic program
- Pitt IT will review the request.
- If the request is approved, you will receive an email with pickup instructions. If the request is declined, you will also be notified via email.