If you have declared a major, check with your school or department for a list of its program-specific computer requirements. Students have the option to purchase their computer system from a vendor of their choosing. Educational discounts are offered on systems purchased directly from vendor web sites. Apple , Compaq , Dell , Hewlett Packard and Gateway are several vendors who maintain on-line stores. Best Buy , Circuit City , CompUSA , Sears and Walmart are a few of the national vendors who offer attractive pricing.
Local vendors are also a good source for purchasing personal computers.
VCU has contracts with several computer vendors for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. Members of the VCU community may use the contracts to acquire computers at discounted educational prices. While these plans tend to be more costly overall, the payment schedule could be more convenient for some, such as students receiving financial aid. While the computer requirement for 2001-2002 imposes an additional financial obligation on new VCU students, there are several solutions and means to make it affordable and practical for students to purchase a computer. For other students who have specialized programs of study in the School of Engineering or the School of the Arts, a higher computer allowance will be added to the student's financial aid budget.