• Home
  • -
  • Park Scholar Computer Stipend

Computer Stipend Overview

Park Scholars may receive a maximum $2,000.00 one-time stipend to purchase a personal computer and other approved peripherals. NC State provides base recommendations for computer hardware, with specific recommendations made at the college and major/program level. The NC State bookstore, Wolfpack Outfitters, is the only provider of computers for Park Scholars. Please read below for more information about specific requirements. No purchases should be made before proposals are approved by the Park Scholarships office.


Computer Specifications

It is important that your computer meets or exceeds your needs during your time at NC State. Review the computer specifications by your college(s) and major(s) as provided by Wolfpack Outfitters.

The bookstore is in continual contact with the colleges, departments, and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to ensure that their computers meet or exceed the university’s academic recommendations. The bookstore details their approved devices by college. You may also check with your particular college or the bookstore’s computer sales staff to ensure that you have the most current information.

Please note: Devices such as iPad, iPad Pro, tablet, Chromebook, and Pixelbook are not recommended or allowable, as they cannot adequately substitute for a computer.

Additional notes for the College of Engineering (COE):

College of Engineering students should review the college’s recommendations and information here, updated in Spring 2024. 

As you can see from the bookstore’s online recommendations, they do not recommend Macs for COE students. This is because traditionally some engineering software has only been available for Windows. However, Macs have become more common among COE students and can be used for some majors within the College of Engineering. Your advisor will be able to let you know if a Mac will work for your area of study.


Submitting Your Computer Proposal

Computer proposals can be submitted for review beginning Monday, July 1, 2024.

Before you can obtain your computer, you must receive approval from the Park Scholarships office. DO NOT order your computer from the NC State bookstore without receiving written approval from the Park Scholarships office first. 

Create and submit your computer stipend request in SPIFFY and complete the following steps PRIOR to obtaining your computer:

Obtain a quote from the bookstore (choose 1 of the 2 options below)

  • Via bookstore website - Print your saved cart showing the device with specifications and the total price (tax included) 
  • Via bookstore email - Email the bookstore listing what device and specifications you are looking for; the bookstore will respond with a cost estimate.

DO NOT physically go to the bookstore for a quote!

  • Complete the Computer Stipend Receipt form* - Be sure to add the total cost (including tax) of your device to this form.
  • Complete the Computer Purchase Request form* - Be sure to add the total cost (including tax) of your device to this form rounded to the nearest dollar. DO NOT submit this form to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA)

Make sure all of your information is accurate and complete on each requested document. Please email all completed documents to parkscholars@ncsu.edu (for the Business Services Coordinator) once you have compiled them (items above).

Once your SPIFFY request and documents are submitted and approved, you will receive a congratulatory email from SPIFFY (please check your spam folder when expecting an email). You can also check the status of your computer stipend request in SPIFFY.

*Please note: We are requesting the Computer Stipend Receipt Form and the Computer Purchase Request form ahead of time in order to expedite your request quickly. We know you won’t have the actual receipt for the computer purchase until later in the process, but if we collect this paperwork beforehand it will speed up the overall payment process. Additionally, the Computer Purchase Request form is a document that is under the purview of the OSFA, and we submit it to the OSFA because a computer is considered part of your Cost of Attendance. By completing this form, you are not requesting a loan (we know the form says “loan amount request”), since we are covering the cost of your computer up to $2,000.00. 


Ordering Your Computer

When your request has been approved, the bookstore will be notified of the amount you have been approved for. You may now order your computer using the following process:

DO NOT FULLY PLACE YOUR ORDER VIA THE BOOKSTORE WEBSITE. - Instead, add the approved items to your shopping cart on the bookstore website. After you click on the shopping cart icon and choose “view cart,” print the cart showing the item specifications and total amount (including taxes) as a PDF document.

  • Send the PDF via email: thetechden@ncsu.edu
  • The subject line of your email: -Park Scholar Order-
  • The Tech Den staff will confirm receipt of your order and process for fulfillment
  • When the order is ready for pick up, the bookstore will contact you.
  • If you have a balance to pay resulting from your order’s total cost being more than the approved stipend amount:
  • You, the student, will be responsible to pay any balance remaining after your Park stipend has been applied.  
  • You will pay this balance directly to the bookstore when you pick up your item(s). This is due to using two forms of payment, the Park Scholar computer stipend account and your personal payment method for the balance after the stipend is applied to your bill.
  • To speed up the process, place your order ASAP. Orders take approximately 2 to 4 weeks to be completely processed (this includes the time it takes for bookstore product order shipments to arrive).


Picking Up Your Computer

Computers will need to be picked up at Wolfpack Outfitters in the Talley Student Union (not at the Centennial campus location). They cannot be shipped. Go to the Tech Department counter on the lower level of the store to get your computer. Please visit the bookstore website for the location and hours of operation. 

If you want to pick up your computer before moving to campus in August (e.g., while you are on campus during orientation, etc.), you may do so assuming all of your documents are approved in time by the Park Scholarships office, and the bookstore has confirmed that your computer is available for pick-up.


Receipts and Documentation

After obtaining your computer from the bookstore and receiving a purchase receipt, upload the receipt into SPIFFY following these steps:

Scan and save your physical receipt as an electronic receipt

  • Please note: a packing slip, sales order, or invoice is NOT considered a receipt unless it shows Invoice/Receipt, method of payment, AND a zero balance.
  • Be sure to scan the entire receipt, showing all payment methods and other pertinent information.
  • Be sure to label it clearly and file it so you can access it easily.
  • If you are using a photo of your receipt, you may have to save it as a PDF or convert the file in order to upload it into SPIFFY

Visit the SPIFFY website and log in here.

  • Click on the gray SPIFFY*O link in the top left center corner, and then choose “Computer Stipends” from the red menu bar.
  • In the body of your Approved Computer Stipend Request, click on the red “Create a New Receipt” link.
  • Fill in the four fields displayed following these instructions: 
  • For Date Received, use the computer purchase date
  • For Amount, list the total approved stipend (NOT the total purchase cost unless it is the same amount for both)
  • For Reimburse, choose Bookstore from the drop-down menu
  • For Description, type a short entry of what you purchased.
  • Click the “Create Receipt” button.
  • You should now see a table showing the information you just entered, and two buttons on the right-hand side.
  • Click the button labeled “Choose File” and find your receipt; click on the file and then click the “Open” button.
  • Click on the “Upload” button; your receipt should now be complete in SPIFFY!

Receipts must be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving your computer. If receipts are not submitted during that time period your computer stipend may be revoked, in which case the funds received would need to be paid back to Park Scholarships by you, the student.

If you are having trouble with the receipt upload process or need help, please email the Park Scholars email address (parkscholars@ncsu.edu), or come to the Park Scholarships office for assistance (provided by the Business Services Coordinator).


Leftover Funds

If your computer is less than the maximum stipend amount of $2,000.00, you can request the use of the remaining funds for approved tech items. Funds will not be available to Park Scholars to make purchases from an outside vendor. If you require additional supplies, ask a computer customer service representative if they can order what you need. Submit all requests for additional technology-related items either through your original SPIFFY request or via the Park Scholarships email (parkscholars@ncsu.edu). Please use the following format: 

Subject: Computer Stipend Remaining Balance Technology Request

Name

Student ID

Amount of Original Computer purchase 

Name of Original item requested to purchase

Price of Original item

Also include the following items, providing ONLY information about the new item/s you are requesting:

  • Quote from the bookstore - Students must print the item with specifications that are saved in your cart showing the total price (tax included) from the bookstore website, which will serve as their quote. DO NOT physically go to the bookstore for a quote!
  • Computer Purchase Receipt form - Be sure to add the total cost of your item/s including tax to this form.
  • Computer Purchase Request form -  Be sure to add the total cost (including tax) of your device to this form rounded to the nearest dollar. DO NOT submit this form to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.


Bookstore Information

For assistance with a computer purchase from the bookstore or more information about products available for purchase using any remaining stipend account balance, scholars can contact the department by email at thetechden@ncsu.edu or by phone (919)515-2161.


Frequently asked questions

Can I purchase a laptop computer (or other items approved by Park Scholarships) at a store other than the NC State bookstore, Wolfpack Outfitters?

  • No, you must purchase your computer (and other items) from the NC State bookstore, Wolfpack Outfitters.

Can I purchase a laptop computer (or other devices) that does not meet the university’s academic recommendations?

  • No, only devices recommended for computer hardware, and specific recommendations made at the College and major/program level will be approved for purchase.