Medium and long term laptop loan service for students in hardship

The laptops are available to those who are:

• care leavers
• estranged
• acting as a carer
• in receipt of a University bursary based on household income
• in receipt of discretionary and hardship funds
• currently working from a tablet or phone to access lectures and teaching material
• in severe financial difficulty unable to purchase or repair a laptop

The laptop loan system is for the purpose of providing a working primary device and not about upgrading from your existing device or obtaining a second device. 

We do not issue laptops to students who require particular software for a course when they already have a working device.

This laptop scheme is in place to help those who are most in need.

To be considered, please contact your local school student support, Student Adviser, or the EUSA Advice Place.

The staff member should then send a nomination on your behalf to EdHelp using this form, stating the details of the user they are nominating and the reasoning. 

We are unable to process requests submitted by students, so please ensure that you speak to the relevant member of staff in the first instance. Students cannot self-nominate.

We aim to process laptop requests within a week, but there may be a delay during busier periods at the beginning of each semester.

We will notify both the student and member of staff who placed the nomination when a laptop is ready for collection. 

Users are normally required to collect the laptop from the EdHelp Service Desk in the Main Library. 

We are unable to send laptops in the post. If students are unable to collect a laptop in person then they can ask someone else to collect it on their behalf. 

Please do not try to collect the laptop until you have been notified by email that it is ready.

If you have any queries or concerns then please contact the EdHelp team who are there to assist you.  

By borrowing a medium or long term laptop, you are agreeing to the below terms and conditions:

• Laptops on loan remain the property of the University of Edinburgh. We reserve the right to recall the laptop if required.
• You will be expected to return the laptop and accessories at the end of the current Academic Year, or at the end of your time as a matriculated student at the University if you cease to be a student before the end of the Academic Year.
• At the end of the loan period, you will be will be expected to return your laptop and accessories to the EdHelp Service Desk in the Main Library.
• We can renew laptops for students who will be continuing their studies for another year. Students will be contacted near the due date to ask if they would like to do this.
• The laptop is for your sole use and must not be transferred.
• Any correspondence relating to laptop loans will be sent by email to your University account.
• You are responsible for the safety and security of the laptop and accessories whilst the machine is on loan to you. Please do not leave it unattended and try to avoid taking the laptop abroad if possible.
• Theft, loss or damage to the laptop or accessories may result in charges for repair, or replacement costs. 
• Please do not add stickers, labels, screen covers, or any other accessory to the laptop, as this causes additional work for the team to try and remove. If you need to use such accessories then please contact EdHelp so we can advise.
• You must report any damage, theft or loss of the laptop or accessories to EdHelp as soon as you become aware of a problem. It may not always be possible to issue you a replacement, so please look after your laptop.
• You may only borrow one lending laptop at a time. Users of medium or long term laptops cannot simultaneously borrow short term library laptops.

Short term library laptop loans service

Mi-Fi units for students in financial hardship

Wellbeing services

Support in a crisis