CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The digital divide was closed a bit recently for first-generation students across North Carolina.

What You Need To Know • A nonprofit is helping close the digital divide for hundreds of first-generation students • Free laptops were distributed to students at campuses across North Carolina • One student says the device is helping her to become the first in her family to get a bachelor's degree

Ashlyn Mercer is a freshman at Johnson C. Smith University.

Mercer is working toward being the first in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree.

Until last week, Mercer didn’t own a computer, even while majoring in computer science.

“I do everything on a computer,” Mercer said. “I did not have the money to buy a computer. I used to come to the library every day to check

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