NEED istance concerning broken inspiron 1420 laptop!!?

I am a college student and over winter break I was working on a research paper in my room. I went to carry my laptop downstairs where i get better wireless internet reception and my laptop fell out of my hands and went crashing down the stairs right in front of my eyes, smashing on the floor below, to my horror. Needless to say the laptop was decimated, the screen doesnt work at all and the cd/dvd drive broke apart, to name a few things. The problem for me is, however, that I am a first-generation college student and also a foster child, and i have to pay for all my college stuff by myself - like my laptop. It took two years of saving in highschool plus a contribution from my foster mom for me to buy the laptop, which was supposed to last for at least four years. I am a philosophy major with a social sciences minor and I have to write many papers per week, without my laptop I am in a whole lot of trouble. I was wondering if anyone can direct me to either an address at dell, or a program with dell where maybe I can send in my broken laptop with a letter for a new one, because I dont want to have to add to my financial woes by having to get a loan co-signed just to get a new laptop for school. Any istance would be much appreciated, please and thank-you.