Q: I am a first-year student. Which laptop requirement will I need to meet?

A: You will need to provide a laptop that meets the requirements for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.

 

Q: I am a second-year student (sophomore). Which laptop requirement will I need to meet?

A: You will need to provide a laptop that meets the requirements for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.

 

Q: I am a third-year or fourth-year student (junior or senior). Which laptop requirement will I need to meet?

A: You will need to provide a laptop that meets the requirements for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.

 

Q: Why does CIA have a laptop requirement for students?

A: Much of your CIA coursework will need to be completed using industry-standard tools and applications. These applications require certain system specifications in order to properly function, so the path to success in your coursework is by using a laptop that meets the requirements of your major / program!

 

Q: Who is eligible for the CIA Student Laptop Program?

A: CIA Student Laptop Program devices are available to all currently-enrolled CIA students, regardless of major or graduation year.

 

Q: How are these devices “managed” by CIA IT?

A: Certain system settings and operating system features will be restricted or disabled by CIA IT until you complete your final device payment. When you complete making payments on your device, CIA IT will work with you to remove the management component of the device, returning the operating system and settings management to your control. Students will have full administrator access to their device while it’s managed by CIA IT.

 

Q: Will CIA IT install applications on the device?

A: Software and Application management will be the full responsibility of the end-user. CIA IT may install software to assist with the overall management of the device, but CIA IT will not be responsible for installing any additional software on the device, e.g software for course or curriculum needs. 

 

Q: How will you be billed for this device?

A: You will work with the Student Accounts team to ensure that your CIA Student Laptop Program device is billed to your student account. CIA Student Laptop Program devices are billed on a per-semester basis.

 

Q: What happens if you change major or program to one with a different laptop requirement?

A: If your current device meets the requirements of your new major / program, continue to use it. If your current device does not meet the requirements of your new major / program, CIA IT will work with you to provide an alternate model CIA Student Laptop Program device that meets your current Major / Program requirements. Payments made towards the previous device may be transferred to the new device, but you may be responsible for additional fees at the time of a device swap depending on the cost difference between the previous and new CIA Student Laptop Program device. Details will be handled on a case-by-case basis. You will work with the CIA Student Accounts team to ensure that your alternate CIA Student Laptop Program device and any additional fees are billed to your student account in place of your current device.

 

Q: What happens if you withdraw or otherwise stop attending CIA?

A: CIA Student Laptop Program devices are only available to currently-enrolled CIA students. You will be given the option to buy-out the remaining balance on the device when you leave CIA. If you choose not to pay the remaining balance and fail to return the device within 10 days, you will be billed for the remaining balance owed on the device. Failure to pay the remaining balance may result in the device being temporarily disabled.

 

Q: How am I billed if my laptop is returned, either due to withdrawal or due to providing my own alternate device?

A: CIA’s Student Laptop Program will follow CIA’s official withdrawal / refund guidelines if the device is returned:

 

 

Q: Do you keep your device over the summer?

A: Yes! Your CIA Student Laptop Program device is yours to keep over the summer, unless otherwise indicated by the CIA Student Laptop Program policy or unless instructed otherwise by CIA IT.

 

Q: Will you ever need to bring your CIA Student Laptop Program device into the Help Desk / CIA IT Department?

A: You may be asked periodically to bring your CIA Student Laptop to the Help Desk / CIA IT Department for routine maintenance. You may also choose to bring your CIA Student Laptop Program device to the Help Desk in the event of any technical issues or damages to the device.

 

Q: What happens if your CIA Student Laptop Program device is damaged or stops working?

A: Submit a support ticket using support.cia.edu or visit the Help Desk for all technical support questions pertaining to your CIA Student Laptop Program device. If your device needs physical repair, the CIA Help Desk will facilitate that repair on your behalf and CIA IT will provide you with an alternate (loaner) device to use during the time of your device repair.

 

Q: What happens when you graduate?

A: If you have completed making payments on your CIA Student Laptop Program device, you own it! You may do as you please with the device once the final payment has been made. If you have not yet completed the payments on your CIA Student Laptop Device, you will be given the option to complete all remaining payments at the time of graduation, resulting in you fully owning the device at that time. If you choose to not completely pay the remaining balance of payments owed on the device at the time of graduation, the device is returned to CIA and the previous payments made are not refundable.

 

Q: What happens if you no longer want the CIA Student Laptop Program device after you’ve already made some payments on it because you now want to provide your own device?

A: You will need to retake the Canvas Student Laptop Assessment to confirm that your alternate device meets your major / program requirements. CIA Student Laptop Program devices are billed on a per-semester basis. If you would like to continue using the CIA Student Laptop program device until the end of the semester, you may. You may also return the device and may be eligible for a partial refund of your semester payment on the device based on the chart above (CIA’s withdrawal / refund guidelines). CIA IT will work with you to collect your previous CIA Student Laptop Program device.

 

Q: How long does it take for you to get your CIA Student Laptop Program device?

A: It depends on many factors, such as the time of the year, how many devices have been ordered during that time frame, and which specific device you are choosing. A good general rule of thumb is that if you are enrolled in the CIA Student Laptop Program on or before July 15th, CIA IT should be able to get your laptop to you by the start of classes in August. If you order your Student Laptop Program device after July 15th, CIA IT cannot guarantee that the device will be in-hand by the start of classes.

 

Q: When can you opt-in to the CIA Student Laptop Program?

A: At any time. CIA IT will conduct an opt-in survey and the opt-in program page will be available at any time here. You may also opt-in during the Canvas Student Laptop Assessment.

 

Q: When I opt-in to the CIA Student Laptop Program, which device do I get?

A: CIA IT will provide you a device that meets the requirements of your chosen Major or Program. First Year Students may elect to receive the model designated for Foundation Program requirements, however if this model does not meet the requirements of your chosen Major, you will be required to provide an appropriate laptop at the start of your second year. 

 

Q: What happens if I change from one CIA Student Laptop Program device to another CIA Student Laptop Program device.

A: Payments on one CIA Student Laptop Program are non-transferrable to another CIA Student Laptop Program Device

 

Q: Will my device come with a case / cover?

A: Your device will come with a basic protective case for traveling purposes, but CIA IT encourages you to secure your computer with additional cases / covers for additional protection or to customize your device.

 

Q: Can you put stickers on your device, paint your device, or otherwise alter the surface of your device?

A: While you are in the process of making payments on your device, you may not put stickers on it, paint it, or otherwise alter the surfaces of the device. As soon as you’ve completed paying and you fully own the device, you may decorate it how you see fit. If the device is returned with an altered appearance outside of normal wear and tear, this may result in a fee.