OCC Extends Free Laptop Program for Winter 2021 Semester

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Nov. 10, 2020 – Oakland Community College is once again providing Dell laptops to its full time students in the upcoming Winter semester. According to Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr., OCC is using $1 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress in March 2020, to fund the program.

OCC launched the laptop program in the Fall 2020 semester to support students with their increased technology needs in a remote learning format and ensure academic success. The College provided 2,100 full-time students with laptops this current semester; up to 1,400 more laptops will be available Winter semester for both new and returning students who register for 12 credits or more.

“We had a good response for our Fall laptop program and have available funds to provide an additional 1,400 laptops for the Winter semester to students who didn’t participate in our Fall program,” Provenzano said. “We want to ensure students stay in the game with the degrees and certificates needed to compete for high-demand careers and they have the technology in hand to be successful in a safe, remote learning environment.”

OCC is one of the only community colleges in Michigan to provide direct technology assistance to full-time students. To be eligible, current OCC students must register for 12 or more credits in the Winter 2021 semester. Registration for Winter semester is currently open through January 10, 2021. Laptop supplies will be distributed to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis beginning the week of February 3, 2021.

In addition to the laptops, Provenzano said the College will provide all students with access to necessary software programs specific to their Winter semester course needs through OCC’s online software system, part of OCC’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).

Additional information regarding the program:

• Students will be notified if they qualify for a laptop after January 26, 2021.

• Laptops will be sent directly to qualifying students from Dell beginning the week of February 3, 2021.

• Students may keep the laptop after the Winter 2021 semester for use in future OCC and other college courses or for personal use.

• OCC’s VDI system will use data on each student’s Winter-semester class schedule to automatically provide access to the appropriate virtual software required for their classes.

• Students who require internet access will be provided a designated area on each OCC campus for the Winter 2021 semester to use the college’s Wi-Fi network.

Students who register for 12 or more credits for Winter 2021 semester by the registration deadline and are interested in receiving a Dell laptop should link to OCC Cares Laptop Program to complete the Laptop application.

Students who have any additional questions regarding this Dell Laptop program should email careslaptop@oaklandcc.edu.

About OCC
Offering nearly 100 degrees and certificates, OCC is Michigan’s largest multi-campus community college and No. 1 transfer institution in the state. The College provides academic, career training and enriching experiences, designed to empower students to reach their potential and enhance our community. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. A seven-person Board of Trustees governs OCC. Board members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis, serve as volunteers and are not paid. Mission statement: OCC is committed to empowering our students to succeed and advancing our community. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.

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