How to pay over time for back-to-school laptops and electronics
Electronics are now a back-to-school essential for many students, but paying for them upfront can be difficult. Learn how to pay over time for laptops, tablets, headphones, and more through Snap’s lease-to-own options.
Key takeaways
Electronics have become a back-to-school necessity – for attending virtual classes, submitting assignments, taking exams, and more.
Budgeting for back-to-school electronics is crucial – from laptops to printers to headphones, the upfront cost can be daunting.
Lease-to-own financing can help your school supply list feel more accessible – no total upfront cost, payments by paycheck schedule, and no need for perfect credit.1
Electronics are a back-to-school necessity – paying for them all at once isn’t.
Gone are the days where pencil cases and binders are the most important items on your school supply list. Today’s must-haves include laptops, tablets, headphones, and computer accessories that are essential to daily school work: from completing assignments and taking exams to attending virtual coursework and staying connected in class.
Adding the back-to-school expense of electronics to rent, groceries, childcare, and rising everyday costs can feel overwhelming. According to the National Retail Federation, families spend over $300 on electronics alone during the back-to-school season, with college students and their families spending even more.
The pressure mounts when getting approved for traditional financing isn’t always accessible for those with credit challenges or limited credit histories. Snap Finance proprietary research found that 78% of consumers with credit scores below 670 have been denied financing.2
Snap helps make sure financing doesn’t become an education barrier. With lease-to-own financing, students can get the electronics they need without paying the full cost upfront or relying on good credit.
Continue reading to learn what Snap can cover, how to get started financing your back-to-school needs with Snap, and where the key differences lie between Snap and other common financing methods.
What electronics can you get with Snap Finance lease-to-own financing for back-to-school?
Snap helps students get the modern technology they need to keep up with school requirements, online learning tools, and digital assignments. Whether you’re building your first tech setup or upgrading your electronics for a new semester, here’s what Snap’s lease-to-own financing may cover.
Laptops and computers
For many students, a laptop – or computer – is the single most important school purchase. From turning in weekly homework to running specialized software programs, laptops are no longer optional for students across most ages and fields of study. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, online and digitally supported coursework continues to be a major part of higher education.
Whether you need a budget laptop for middle school or a more powerful laptop for college coursework, approval amounts up to $5,000 in lease-to-own financing cover most student laptop and computer configurations.3
Through Snap Finance, you may use lease-to-own financing for:
Windows laptops
Chromebooks
MacBooks
Tablets and iPads
If your work mostly consists of notetaking, reading assignments, streaming lectures, and lighter coursework, a tablet or iPad is a great alternative to a full computer setup. Tablets offer enough functionality for school while typically costing less than a laptop or computer. Many students also prefer the portability of tablets for commuting between classes.
Depending on price and where you’re shopping, Snap’s lease-to-own financing may help you get:
iPads
Android tablets
Tablet keyboards
Stylus pens
Tablet accessories
Printers, monitors, and accessories
While a laptop is the first back-to-school electronic that comes to mind, the accessories may be just as important – and can quickly add up. A monitor for a dorm room setup. A webcam for online classes. A printer for assignments and paperwork.
Complete your back-to-school electronic setup with qualifying accessories and durable electronics such as:
Computer monitors
Keyboards and mice
Webcams
Printers
Laptop docks
External storage devices
Please note that Snap’s lease-to-own financing is for durable goods and equipment, but not consumable items like printer ink or paper.
Headphones, speakers, and audio gear
For students in music programs – or those living in a noisy dorm – headphones are a studying necessity. Some coursework also requires audio equipment for music, editing, communications, or online learning.
Shop for qualifying audio gear with Snap’s retail partners:
Noise-canceling headphones
Wireless earbuds
Bluetooth speakers
Studio headphones
Audio equipment for music students
How to use Snap Finance for back-to-school shopping
Here’s how to prepare for the back-to-school season with Snap Finance: simple and straightforward (unlike final exams).
1. Find a participating electronics store
Snap works with a large network of electronics retailers offering both in-store and online shopping options. Use Snap’s Store Locator to find participating retailers that carry laptops, tablets, and other school electronics.
Back-to-school shopping season is one of the busiest periods of the year, and popular devices can sell out quickly. Starting early gives you more options and more time to compare products before classes begin.
2. Apply for lease-to-own financing – before the semester starts
Our application process is simple. Apply for Snap in five minutes or less in-store or online, get a decision in seconds, and get prepared for back-to-school without any impact to your FICO score.1
Instead of walking into the store with uncertainty, you’ll be able to focus on confidently choosing the right electronics for your needs.
3. Align payments to your pay schedule
Rather than paying the total cost upfront, coordinate your payments with your paycheck cycles. For example, you could pay for a $600 laptop every two weeks or every month until you complete your lease agreement, depending on your lease terms and payment schedule.
If the goal is to avoid paying all at once, Snap’s lease-to-own financing can help.
Snap Finance vs. student loans and store credit cards
There are a few common ways to get your back-to-school electronics, but not all financing options work the same way. Here is how Snap’s financing options compare.
Student loans and paying for hardware
Student loans are designed for education costs, but they’re not always ideal for electronics purchases. Loan funds may not arrive before classes begin, and many students end up paying interest on those purchases for years. In some cases, financial aid doesn’t fully cover required equipment at all.
Snap can be used for electronics needed now. Because lease-to-own financing is separate from financial aid, it may not affect your student loan package or school funding.
Are store credit cards the answer?
Many electronics retailers promote store credit cards during back-to-school season, but approval often requires higher credit scores.
Snap looks at more than credit scores to help those with credit challenges and limited credit histories get what they need.
Back-to-school electronics made accessible
The modern-day back-to-school shopping list is much more extensive – and expensive – than in years past. Snap Finance’s lease-to-own financing can help you check off your list of necessary electronics without perfect credit or paying the total upfront cost.1
Financing electronics 101: apply early (no credit needed),1 align payments to your pay schedule, and understand how student loans or store credit cards compare to lease-to-own financing.
Ready to shop before the back-to-school rush? Find an electronics retailer near you and apply for lease-to-own electronics financing before the semester starts.
The advertised service is a lease-to-own agreement provided by Snap TRO LLC. Lease-to-own financing is not available to residents of Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
Some restrictions may apply on leasable auto parts, electronics, or sporting goods. Please check with merchants for details.
1 Not all applicants are approved. No credit history is required. Snap obtains information from consumer reporting agencies in connection with your application; this does not impact your FICO® Score, though other credit scores may be affected.
2 Proprietary research, “Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Consumers Facing Credit Challenges.” Snap Finance, October 2024
3 Approval amounts vary from $300 to $5,000, subject to underwriting, and apply only to the cash price of leased items.