Question about Financial Aid

iliel · Aug 5, 2003

See if your school offers an emergency loan. these are loans that have to be repaid 30 days later. I don't think they give very much, around $100. but it's something!

Good luck

LeesieBug · Aug 5, 2003

Sounds right, if that is when your school issues refunds. When you get your money usually depends on when your school issues refunds from aid disbursements. For example, in the fall, our financial aid payments are applied to our fall bill on August 15th, then the school mails the student a refund check for any funds that are left. Our school is pretty on the ball, so they usually mail refund checks the same day.

My guess is that your school does not issue the refund until after the first day of class, for some reason or other.

I usually wind up charging my books, then paying the bill after I get my money...that way I'm sure to get used ones. However, if you have to wait until after the first day, it shouldn't be a major problem. Half the people I know don't get their books until after school starts. The glitch with that is that you may get stuck buying new.

jschut, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2003

We always had a certain time that our financial aid was applied at the bookstore. It was before classes started and we had plenty of time to go get our books....

Wonder why your school doesn't do that? I've never heard of the way your school is doing it!

LeesieBug · Aug 5, 2003

Aha..that's interesting! I didn't know some schools just applied funds directly to the book store....all the ones I know of just send money to the student.

Learn something new everyday!

essarge · Aug 5, 2003

Ask about getting a book voucher so that you can get your books before then.

colleen10 · Aug 5, 2003

A lot of people don't get books until the first week of classes, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Like Leesie said though, there will be less "used" books to choose from.

You are lucky that you get your money on the first day of school. My school doesn't apply tuition money or give you your refund for books, uniforms, etc. til then end of September, beginning of October.

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2003

Originally posted by colleen10
You are lucky that you get your money on the first day of school. My school doesn't apply tuition money or give you your refund for books, uniforms, etc. til then end of September, beginning of October.

My school (community college) does this too and it drives me crazy! I don't know how they expect us poor college students to support ourselves! LOL

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Aug 5, 2003

At my school we can go to the bookstore and they have a Pell Grant "bookcharge" and they just deduct however much you spend on books from your Pell Grant, just like they deduct tuition, etc.

There is also the off campus bookstore that takes Pell Grants. What they do is you bring a copy of your award letter and a major credit card/ debit card. They make a copy of your letter and also take your credit/debit card (but they do not charge it, they just have that in case of fraud, etc) and give you your books.

I get my books a good month before classes start.

Marilyn

colleen10 · Aug 5, 2003

My school (community college) does this too and it drives me crazy! I don't know how they expect us poor college students to support ourselves! LOL

---Manna

Bada Bing! Credit Card, unfortunately in my case.

On the plus side, my financial aid office will take half of your tuition award/loan and automatically apply it to your credit card if they see that that is how you paid for your bill.

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2003

Originally posted by colleen10
Bada Bing! Credit Card, unfortunately in my case

My crappy credit report (went into WAY too much debt when got married) keeps me away from charge cards (probably a good thing) LOL

I'm lucky to have a SUPER supportive family who helps me out with interest free personal loans until aid refund time (end of the semester) LOL

shyne · Aug 5, 2003

It depends on the school. Mine allows us to get our books the day before school starts.