Starting this fall, all first year Edward Waters College students will receive laptop computers in a partnership with the Follett Higher Education Group.
EWC said in a news release that the program enhances “the College’s value as the State of Florida’s most affordable private Historically Black College or University.”
According to the U.S. Census and a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce, 43% of African American households are without a desktop or laptop computer.
At Edward Waters, 89% of students are African American and 87% are eligible for Pell Grants.
The multiyear partnership includes annual scholarship support for students and other assistance.
The EWC/Follett ACCESS Program also will give students access to course materials via an e-textbook platform at a reduced cost.
Westchester, Illinois-based Follett works with 80,000 schools as a provider of education technology, services, print and digital content and course materials.
Follett also operates nearly 1,200 local campus stores and 1,600 virtual stores.
The Chromebook computers will include the Microsoft 365 software suite.