Microsoft Corp. has announced Chip In, a new seasonal buying program to help students get the Windows PC or tablet they need for school. With Chip In, students crowdsource contributions from friends and family toward the purchase of a new Windows PC or tablet. Microsoft will chip in 10 percent of the purchase price on select PCs, and the first 10,000 students to fully fund their PC will also get a four-year subscription to Office 365 University.

“We know that heading to college is one of the top reasons students buy a new PC — it’s a powerful tool to support their education and stay in touch with their families and friends,” said Kristina Libby, head of Consumer Communications for Windows. “With Chip In from Microsoft, students can leverage the power of their social networks to help them get a new PC and Office 365 University this back-to-school season.”

Students can participate in Chip In exclusively at http://www.windowschipin.com. Participating students choose from a wide range of qualified Windows 8 PCs and tablets and create a “giving page.” Then they can share their page with friends and family via social media or email to ask for contributions in any amount up to the total cost of the PC.

The first 10,000 students to fully fund their PC before Sept. 1 will also get a four-year subscription of Office 365 University. The subscription gives students the latest, most complete Office applications (which can be downloaded on up to two devices), 20 GB of additional SkyDrive storage and 60 Skype world minutes.