Charger Tech 360 FAQs

Charger Tech 360 at Southwest Tech was started to support our students so they don't have to worry so much about the technical side of things as it relates to college. That said, there are some questions that arise from the program. The following are the most frequently asked questions asked about the Charger Tech 360 Program.

  • Why did Southwest Tech decide to offer Charger Tech 360?

  • Southwest Tech is very excited to continue offering the use of personal laptops, necessary software, and services to eligible program students. The academic team led the project in close collaboration with Information Technology Services. The College received support from the Student Senate and hosted a special meeting to discuss the project and listen to students' opinions. At the end of the meeting, the Student Senate approved moving forward with the project.

    Also, the academic team believes that Charger Tech 360 will provide Southwest Tech students opportunities to succeed in achieving their academic goals. By giving you access to the technology you need, you will have a standard set of tools to complete your program and afford portability and technology required and used in business and industry. Progressive thinking and academic excellence made Southwest Tech a leader in technical education and continued academic excellence.

  • Who is automatically enrolled in Charger Tech 360?
    • Enrolled or accepted to the waitlist of a Financial Aid eligible program
    • Students taking the Nursing Assistant program are also automatically enrolled in Charger Tech 360. There is an embedded technology fee of $100 for the course. Laptops must be returned on the last day of clinical.
    • Students enrolled in six or more credits (Students enrolled in less than 6 credits per semester can opt in)
    • Students in these programs taking 6+ credits are not eligible to opt-out of Charger Tech 360 services at this time. If a student is taking five credits or less, they are eligible to opt-in to the program.
      • Accounting
      • Accounting Assistant
      • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Agribusiness Management
      • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Agronomy
      • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Agronomy Technician
      • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Animal Science
      • Agribusiness Science & Technology - Applicator Technician
      • Agricultural Power & Equipment Technician
      • Auto Collision Repair & Refinish Technician
      • Automotive Technician
      • Building Trades—Carpentry
      • Business Management
      • Cancer Information Management (CIM) (Online)
      • Child Care Services
      • Cosmetology
      • Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement 2
      • Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement 720 Academy
      • Criminal Justice Studies
      • Data Analytics
      • Dental Assistant
      • Early Childhood Education
      • Electrical Power Distribution
      • Electro-Mechanical Technology
      • Golf Course Management
      • Graphic & Web Design
      • Health Information Technology (HIT)
      • Human Services Associate
      • Individualized Technical Studies
      • Industrial Mechanic
      • Instrumentation and Controls Technology
      • IT-Cybersecurity and Network Administration
      • Leadership Development
      • Medical Assistant
      • Medical Coding Specialist
      • Medical Laboratory Technician
      • Midwife (Direct Entry)
      • Nonprofit Leadership
      • Nursing (Associate Degree)
      • Physical Therapist Assistant
      • Supply Chain Assistant
      • Supply Chain Management
      • Surgical Technology
      • Sustainable Energy Management
      • University Transfer
      • University Transfer - Associate of Arts
      • University Transfer - Associate of Science
      • Welding
  • Can students choose to enroll in Charger Tech 360 if they are not in one of the automatically enrolled programs?

  • Students in these programs can choose if they want to enroll and have access to Charger Tech 360 services:

    • Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery
    • CNC Machine Operator/Programmer (Precision Machining Technology)
    • Data Analytics Visualization
    • Driver Safety Education Certification
    • EMT/AEMT
    • Laboratory Science Technician
    • Logistics Certificate
    • Nail Technician
    • Nonprofit Essentials
    • Nonprofit Fundraising
    • Nonprofit Marketing
    • Nonprofit Strategic Planning
    • Payroll Assistant
    • Production Planner Certificate
    • Purchasing Agent/Buyer Certificate
    • Tax Preparer Assistant
    • Technical Studies-Journeyworker

    Undeclared Students can also enroll/ opt-in to the CT360 program

  • What program students are not able to access Charger Tech 360 services?

  • At this time, students in these programs are not able to access Charger Tech 360 services. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact our advising team by emailing advisors@swtc.edu.

    • Construction Electrician Apprenticeship
    • Dairy Goat Herd Management
    • Driver Education
    • Farm Business & Production Management
    • Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship
    • Mechatronics Technician apprenticeship
    • Plumbing Apprenticeship
  • Do I need to apply to get a laptop?

  • All eligible students are automatically enrolled, but have to go through the Registration Process to be issued the technology of Charger Tech 360. Please see the requirements to determine if you're eligible automatically enrolled. All students will need to verify specific identity questions, including their mailing address and sign an agreement.

    To Register for Charger Tech 360

    1. Register on the Charger Tech 360 Portal.
      Your Charger Tech 360 account should be activated by 8am the next business day.
    2. Log into the Charger Tech 360 Portal.
      If prompted, enter your Southwest Tech credentials (student username and password)
    3. Automatically enrolled students should follow the instructions to receive your laptop by mail.
  • How do I get my contents with Charger Tech 360? Do I pick it up, or is it delivered?

  • The College is planning to host an on-campus opportunity for pick-up. If you are in an online only program, your laptop will be shipped to you. You will receive your laptop before the first day of classes.

  • What is the cost?

  • For the 2024-2025 academic year, all eligible automatically enrolled students will be charged the technology fee of $300 each for the Fall & Spring terms. Summer terms will not receive the charge. Students taking the Nursing Assistant (CNA) program are also automatically enrolled in Charger Tech 360. There is an embedded technology fee of $100 for the course. Laptops must be returned on the last day of clinical.

    Southwest Tech Student Charger Tech 360 Published Fees

    Physical Damage Incident Fee (per incident)

    Accidental drops, spills, or other unintentional damage
    $50

    Charges for repairs not covered by the warranty

    Laptop Computer replacement for loss, theft, neglect, biological contamination, or intentional/willful acts of damage or abuse*
    Up to $1200
    Excessive Wear and Tear including stickers/defacing, discoloration, and severe scratches or marks on case or screen
    $100
    Power Adapter/Power Cord – HP computer
    $50
    Power Adapter/Power cord – Apple computer
    $100
    Administrative Fee
    $300

    * The College cannot repair or redeploy systems that have been contaminated by urine/vomit/blood/feces or damaging/dangerous chemicals. Systems must be disposed of and replaced (human, animal or chemical).

  • How do/What if I (need to) ship my laptop back to SWTC?

  • Shipping the device back to SWTC will be at the expense of the student.

    On Campus Return

    To return your laptop, schedule an appointment with the Charger Technology Support Center.

    1. Log into the Charger Tech 360 Portal, and select 'Book Appointment'.
    2. On the Bookings page, select Return Laptop then select a date and time.
    3. On the day of your appointment, visit room 314A in the Knox Learning Center.
    4. Charger Technology Support Center staff will assist with the laptop return and inspect the hardware to be returned. Expect the process to take approximately 10 minutes.
    5. Charger Technology Support Center staff will provide a laptop return form to be signed by the student and the process will be complete.

    Online Student Laptop Return

    To return your laptop, ship the device and power adapter to the address below. Please note, it is recommended that you ship the device back using the original box and packaging material.

    Place shipping insurance on the device for a value of at least $1,000.

    Ship to:

    Charger Technology Support Center
    1800 Bronson Blvd.
    Fennimore, WI 53809
  • Can I choose not to enroll in Charger Tech 360?

  • All eligible students are automatically enrolled in Charger Tech 360. At this time, there is not an option to choose to opt-out of the program.

  • I logged into the laptop portal and it shows I'm not eligible. Who do I talk with to become eligible?

  • Please contact your advisor to confirm eligibility. Reminder: Your Charger Tech 360 eligibility should be updated by 8 am the next business day once your registration has been processed by student services.

  • Do students get to keep the laptop at the end of the school year?
    • Students participating in Charger Tech 360 for four semesters will have the opportunity to retain a laptop upon graduation.
    • All gifted laptops will have SWTC software removed
  • What happens when my laptop is damaged?

  • Please email the Charger Tech 360 Team. Laptops do have a warranty/damage protection on them.

  • What happens if I’ve lost my laptop?

  • Please email the Charger Tech 360 Team. Students will be required to pay up to $800 to receive a new device.

  • What happens if I've lost my power adapter? Can I borrow one for the day?

  • Replacement OEM power adapters are required and can be purchased in the SWTC bookstore. The Charger Technology Support Center will not issue loaner power adapters.

  • Who do I contact for technical issues (ie, printing, logging in, accessing a program)?

  • Please email the Charger Tech 360 Team.

If you have feedback or questions not answered on this page, we encourage you to share them using the email form below.

Email the Charger Tech 360 Team