<p>Hi Lisa,
I am a parent of a Swat soph and can answer a couple of your questions. The $2625 for the Stafford loan is for the full year. (The amounts are federally regulated, not Swarthmore rules.) The number is increased yearly and they split the yearly total in half and apply half to your first semester’s bill, and half to your second semester’s bill.</p>
<p>As for the laptop, while I would say that the majority of students do have their own computers, it is not necessary. There are computer labs/lounges in each of the dorms as well as around obvious campus buildings such as the library. You have access to the computers in the dorm lounges at all hours of the day and night, and they also have printers with as much paper as you need!</p>