Is it illegal to force students who have financial aid to buy books from your school?

Angel0411 · Apr 20, 2010

I'm not sure,but it doesn't sound right :nono:

semester1kid · Apr 20, 2010

I'm not sure if it's the same thing, but I have a Stafford loan and it's written right in the contract that the loan is for tuition, books and other necessities (up to and including a laptop had I so choosed to purchace one)

sweetiepie98 · Apr 20, 2010

I mean I know you can use your loan for books of course...but this is if you choose to. I mean you can get a book for free from your friend and not have to put the cost on your loan though right? The school I go to automatically puts it on my loan whether or not without reimbursement...

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 20, 2010

I don't know if it's illegal or not but I would be ticked if I was forced to get my books through the school bookstore, I can find them for much cheaper online.

sweetiepie98 · Apr 20, 2010

it just sounds suspect and its making me mad because I can get all the books free and knock a little change off the back end of my loan. They are being shady so I might look into the department of education and find out....

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Apr 20, 2010

If it’s not written in a contract that you are required to purchase your books with them, then I don’t see it being an issue shopping around. Of course schools want you to purchase books with them. It’s another means for the school to turn more profit. If the school is referring you to another retailer, I am sure the school gets some sort of “kick back” from the retailer. If you get your books elsewhere, just don’t mention it and have them ready for the start of class.

sweetiepie98 · Apr 20, 2010

well I have no problem not mentioning it but when I find out that they automatically put the books on my bill regardless because they apparently order books for everyone who has financial aid is where I not understanding... Do you get me? They are taking the funds anyway....

AlishiaRN77 · Apr 20, 2010

I'm glad that someone else is bringing this up. They are doing this in some of the Arizona schools as well. When I received my financial aid this past fall, there was a note "stapled" to the financial aid stating that there will be a "book Voucher" attached to this coming up fall's financial aid.

All i could say was..."REALLY???!!!" I mean, if i'm able to purchase books through another vender who is not hiking up prices so they can make a profit and am able to use the remaining balance of my grant/loan towards school supplies or housing..then that's what I would like to do. Especially when i'm the one who has be pay back the student loan in the end.....

hmmm makes me wonder about this whole "voucher" situation....

sweetiepie98 · Apr 20, 2010

yeah just because we have aid that can cover everything doesn't mean we just sign off on it and the school just adds their grocery list of items they can get approved for us to pay without our knowledge.... It is crazy because most people don't think anything about it but i am already paying on a past loan and that little money adds up. A book that you can get for $10 is getting put on your loan for $80 plus interest over like 5-10 years....who knows how much you end up paying for that book in the end. All the school has to say is "don't worry your financial aid will cover it."

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Apr 20, 2010

Can you return the books your school overcharges for in the first week for a full refund and buy them at a more reasonable price elsewhere?

Music in My Heart · Apr 20, 2010

Just wondering, is this a private school?

Is there something in your enrollment agreement/student handbook which says that books are part of the deal? If not, I don't see how they can legitimately force you to purchase books through their vendor unless they're self-published and that's the only source.