Can you not word it as a scholarship? Maybe make it a prize? Perhaps give a gift card to Amazon or Best Buy (yes I know student is then locked in to buying from those companies) to buy a laptop. Or let them find the laptop they want and you gift them the money to purchase. And thank you for doing this.
One other thought I had, at my son’s private HS there was a dress code (khakis and polos). Not something you would think would be a hardship for most kids, but it is for some. The HS set up a fund to buy Target and Old Navy GCs to give to boys who cannot afford the clothes or only have one set. Perhaps instead of doing something for college there are kids at your local HS who could use some assistance now.