Note: There will be some changes to the Student Tech Requirement for the 2025-26 academic year and updates will be available by early May, 2025.
Vermont State University Student Tech Requirement For New Students
Vermont State University’s (VTSU) Student Tech Requirement requires full-time undergraduate degree-seeking students to have a laptop computer for coursework.
Students who do not already own a device that meets the required specifications will have the opportunity to purchase a computer through the Vermont State program, which offers a discounted price for a new MacBook Air. For some degree programs, a Windows/PC machine with higher specs may be recommended. Please be sure to review the below FAQ for specifications and purchase information.
Please note: The Student Tech Requirement does not apply to fully online, dual-enrollment, early college, VAST, graduate, part-time, or currently enrolled students. However, all students may choose to purchase a computer through VTSU’s discounted program. Please see the information in the FAQs that follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
A quality laptop computer is essential for successful learning and collaboration in higher education today. It is a critical tool for coursework and career and life preparation, as verified through VTSU pilot technology programs and student and faculty surveys.
VTSU also understands that the upfront costs of new devices can be a barrier for some students when beginning or reengaging in their higher education career. The Student Tech Requirement, approved by the Vermont State Colleges (VSC) Board of Trustees in December 2023, also addresses concerns about technology affordability, equity, mobility, and access through a purchasing program developed by VTSU.
To meet the VTSU Student Tech Requirement, a student’s computer must meet the following minimum specifications below. Please note that Chromebooks and tablets will not meet all baseline requirements.
Age of machine: 3 years or less
If student owns a Macintosh laptop computer:
- Mac Book with M1, M2 or M3 (latest Apple processor) with:
- 8GB of memory (RAM)
- 256GB storage
- Built-in or USB webcam
If student owns a PC laptop computer:
- Dell Latitude 3000/5000 series (or like model from another brand, e.g., Asus, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, etc.) with:
- Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
- 16GB of memory (RAM)
- 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Built-in or USB webcam
Programs with specific requirements:
- For programs within the engineering department, including construction management, a PC laptop is required. That laptop should have a 500 GB SSD and, while 16GB of memory is the minimum, 32GB is recommended. While optional, an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 is also recommended. Additional USB ports or a hub is strongly encouraged. A PC will be purchased for any student in these degree programs whose computer does not meet these required specifications.
- For Computer Information Systems, Software Engineering, and Information Technology programs, Windows PC, Linux or MacOS machine are acceptable. Linux and MacOS machines can have 16GB, but 32GB is recommended. Windows machines should have 32GB. A PC will be purchased for any student in these degree programs whose computer does not meet these required specifications.
To check existing computer specs, please visit: https://support.vsc.edu/learning-tools/new-computer-recommendations/
VTSU will provide a a 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple M2 processor with 8GB memory and 256GB storage and 4-Year AppleCare+ for Schools (no service fees; see details that follow) for students to purchase in time for the start of the fall semester. The total cost, which is discounted over retail, is $1,341.49.
Details of AppleCare+ for Schools:
This is included in the price of your device through VTSU with no service fees. Please keep in mind that this is different than the standard AppleCare you would purchase as a consumer buying directly from Apple. AppleCare+ for Schools with no service fee provides you with 4 full years of coverage (standard AppleCare offers only 3 years for consumer) and includes the following highlights:
- 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via chat or phone, inclusive of a dedicated support line for education.
- 4 years of hardware coverage, inclusive of up to two incidents of accidental damage per year without service fees. Note that general consumer AppleCare requires a $99 service fee to repair screen damage or external enclosure damage, and/or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.
- Provides mail-in in addition to carry-in repair through Apple resellers
For students in the engineering, computer information systems, and construction management programs, a Dell laptop, i5, 32GB, 512 SSD, with 5-year ProSupportPlus will be available to purchase for $1,583.
As full-time undergraduate degree-seeking students complete the admissions enrollment checklist, they will be directed to an online order form where they can select their laptop of choice and shipping destination. Vermont State University will automatically add the cost of the purchase to the student’s account.
Students who need access to any specialized software required for their program can access it through the university in two ways:
- Through a virtual computer lab system called Apporto, available via a web browser
- Through on-campus computer labs
Anyone with VTSU credentials and an internet-enabled device can log on to Apporto through a web browser to access specialized software needed for coursework. Apporto works well on laptops with lower/standard specs because the processing happens through a web browser and in the cloud. There may be a few software programs provided by a student’s program for local download, in addition to a few that may only be available on computer lab machines that connect directly to lab equipment.
Whether a student is buying a laptop through the VTSU program or bringing their own, they will need to have Office 365 software installed. All VTSU students may install a licensed version of Office 365 on their computers for free. (The license remains active until the student leaves/graduates.) Office 365 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, OneNote, and Publisher. There are additional browser-based tools, such as the university’s Canvas Learning Management System, that will be available to you via the VTSU Portal and an Information Technology (IT) support website that links to frequently used productivity software and tools the college provides to you.
Yes, all students may order a MacBook Air through this program. The Laptop Order Form will be available soon. For students in the engineering, computer information systems, or construction management programs, a Dell PC machine will be available to order. All Student Success Advisors can help answer student questions about program details and the timeline for ordering.
For the Fall of 2025:
Student accounts will be billed the full purchase amount of $1,341.49. for the MacBook Air or $1,583 for the Dell
For students joining us in Spring of 2026:
Student accounts will be billed the full cost of the laptop in the spring semester.
The billing process is the same whether students purchase a MacBook Air or a Dell laptop.
Affordability is a key priority for VTSU and is why we developed a way to pass on our university discount, including device and four years of warranty, to students who do not have a computer that meets the specifications. Charges will be automatically added to student accounts, allowing students to use financial aid, if desired, to pay for their computer. By electing to use financial aid, students won’t need to pay out-of-pocket for the computer they need for their coursework.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your Student Success Advisor or the Advising office Advising@VermontState.edu for more information.
For MacBook Air laptops:
AppleCare+ for Schools provides 24/7 priority access to technical support via chat or phone in addition to hardware coverage either via mail-in or carry-in repair; see details below. VTSU will also have loaners available so students will have computer access if their own computer needs repairs.
AppleCare+ for Schools details: This is included in the price of your device through VTSU with no service fees. Please keep in mind that this is different than the standard AppleCare you would purchase as a consumer buying directly from Apple. AppleCare+ for Schools with no service fee provides you with 4 full years of coverage (standard AppleCare offers only 3 years for consumer) and includes the following highlights:
- 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via chat or phone, inclusive of a dedicated support line for education.
- 4 years of hardware coverage, inclusive of up to two incidents of accidental damage per year without service fees. Note that general consumer AppleCare requires a $99 service fee to repair screen damage or external enclosure damage, and/or $299 for other accidental damage, plus applicable tax.
- Provides mail-in in addition to carry-in repair through Apple resellers
For Dell PC machines:
Dell ProSupport for PCs will provide 24/7 priority access to technical support via chat or phone in addition to hardware coverage. VTSU will also have loaners available so students will have computer access if their own computer needs repairs.
Students starting in the Fall and Spring Semesters:
Computers purchased through the VTSU program will be delivered to the shipping address listed on the purchase form.
