{"id":1661,"date":"2026-03-16T10:03:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T10:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/?page_id=1661"},"modified":"2026-03-16T10:03:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T10:03:50","slug":"laptop-loan-scheme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/laptop-loan-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Laptop Loan Scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you need temporary access to a laptop because a disability-related barrier is affecting your studies, you may be able to access support through the <strong>Assistive Technology Laptop Loan Scheme<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This scheme provides a <strong>short-term laptop loan only<\/strong>. It is intended as a <strong>temporary bridge<\/strong> while another longer-term solution is being put in place. It is <strong>not a general laptop loan service<\/strong>, and availability is very limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the scheme for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The laptop loan scheme is designed to support eligible students who are temporarily unable to access suitable technology for study because of a disability-related need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This may include students who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>are waiting for a funded laptop or device through <strong>Disabled Students\u2019 Allowance (DSA)<\/strong> or the <strong>Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cannot reasonably use University computing facilities because of a disability-related barrier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Laptops are loaned for a <strong>maximum of 3 months<\/strong> and are intended as a short-term interim measure only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Am I eligible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UK and Republic of Ireland students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may be considered if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>you have completed a <strong>Needs Assessment<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you are eligible for a <strong>funded laptop or device<\/strong> through <strong>DSA<\/strong> or <strong>FSD<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you are currently waiting for that equipment to be provided<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you cannot reasonably use University computing centres because of a clearly evidenced barrier linked to your needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not sure if you are eligible for DSA or FSD?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a UK or Republic of Ireland student and are not sure whether you may be eligible for funded support, it is worth checking this first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read our guide: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/funded-support-explained-get-the-tech-help-you-need\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/funded-support-explained-get-the-tech-help-you-need\/\">Funded Support Explained: Get the Tech Help You Need<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">International students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may be considered if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>you are registered with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qub.ac.uk\/directorates\/sgc\/accessible-learning-support\/StudentInformation\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.qub.ac.uk\/directorates\/sgc\/accessible-learning-support\/StudentInformation\/\">Accessible Learning Service<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you have <strong>evidence <\/strong>of a <strong>disability, long-term condition, mental health condition, sensory difficulty, mobility issue, or similar ongoing need<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>your need has been supported through relevant evidence or a support plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you cannot reasonably use University computing centres because of that barrier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important things to know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before requesting support, please be aware that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>this is a <strong>very limited scheme<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>students <strong>must satisfy the eligibility criteria<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>laptops are provided on a <strong>temporary basis only<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>maximum <\/strong>loan period is <strong>3 months<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>extensions are only considered in <strong>exceptional circumstances<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the scheme is intended to act as a <strong>bridge<\/strong>, not a long-term replacement for a personal or funded device<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>laptops are for <strong>study-related use only<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I apply?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Students do not apply directly for this scheme.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you may be eligible, please contact <strong>your Disability Officer<\/strong> in the <strong>Accessible Learning Service<\/strong>. They will advise you and, where appropriate, make a referral through the correct process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications must be made <strong>via your Disability Officer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens if a loan is approved?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If a loan is approved, the process will usually include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>referral by the appropriate member of staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>review of eligibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a familiarisation and setup session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>signing the loan agreement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>issue of the laptop for the agreed period<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>return of the laptop by the agreed date<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important conditions of loan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All laptops issued through this scheme remain the property of <strong>Queen\u2019s University Belfast<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>take reasonable care of the laptop during the loan period<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>return the laptop on or before the agreed return date<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>attend any required setup or familiarisation session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sign a loan agreement before the laptop is issued<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should also be aware that they may be held financially responsible if the laptop is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>lost<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>stolen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>damaged beyond repair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>not returned by the agreed date<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The current estimated replacement cost is <strong>\u00a3702 per laptop<\/strong>, although this may change in line with replacement costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Need advice?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are unsure whether this scheme applies to you, please speak to <strong>your Disability Officer<\/strong> or contact the <strong><a href=\"assistivetechnology@qub.ac.uk\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"assistivetechnology@qub.ac.uk\">Assistive Technology Coordinator<\/a><\/strong> in the first instance. They can advise on whether a referral is appropriate and whether you meet the criteria.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2401,"featured_media":1662,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1661","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","comments-off"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1661"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1663,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1661\/revisions\/1663"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/studentatguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}