COVID-19 Response

College Board, Amazon Giving 4,000 Free Computers to AP CS Students

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 04/17/20

The College Board has teamed up with Amazon Future Engineer to donate 4,000 laptop computers to students who want to access Advanced Placement Computer Science courses and can't because they lack a device at home to take the exams. Students receiving the donated laptops will get to keep them to support their educational journey beyond the COVID-19 outbreak.

The College Board, which produces the courses and the exams tied to them, is also offering help in finding internet connectivity for students in need.

Recently, Amazon Future Engineer opened up free access to sponsored computer science courses in the United States, intended for independent learners in grades 6-12 and teachers who are remotely teaching this age group. Parents can also access the curriculum. Previously, it was only available to students who attended schools that were part of Amazon's educational program.

The College Board is providing free online AP classes and a new at-home testing option to enable students pursuing advanced placement to continue their studies and earn college credit.

The form for applying for a computer is available on the College Board website. That can be filled out by the student, a parent, a teacher or a counselor. The organization said applicants would hear from a member of its customer service team within two to three days of submitting the form.