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Bookstore Vouchers & Allowances

A book advance does not alter the overall amount of a student's financial aid. It is not considered an extra award. Instead, it allows students to use their financial aid for bookstore purchases. The amount spent at the bookstore will be charged to the student’s account. Once the add/drop period ends, financial aid will be used to cover these charges, and any remaining balance will be subtracted from the student's potential financial aid refund.

Bookstore Voucher

Definitions

Bookstore Voucher/ Advance

  • An advance of your federal financial aid

MA Reconnect Book Allowance

  • A book allowance provided to eligible MassReconnect students

Textbook Endowment Fund

  • Scholarship provided through Student Development

Bookstore Voucher/ Advance

An advance of your excess federal financial aid funds to be used for purchases of qualifying books and materials at the MassBay Bookstore.

A book advance does not alter the overall amount of a student's financial aid. It is not considered an extra award. Instead, it allows students to use their financial aid for bookstore purchases. The amount spent at the bookstore will be charged to the student’s account. Once the add/drop period ends, financial aid will be used to cover these charges, and any remaining balance will be subtracted from the student's potential financial aid refund.

The value of the bookstore voucher is subject to change based upon adjustments to financial aid eligibility and enrollment.

You would be eligible for a book voucher if you have excess federal financial aid, such as Pell, SEOG Grants, and Federal Direct Loans. Bookstore vouchers are calculated by totaling all approved sources of federal aid and deducting all outstanding tuition and fee charges.

Complete Book Voucher (Title IV Authorization) Form within Bay Navigator

  • Login to Bay Navigator
  • Select Student Finances & Aid -> Book Voucher Form
  • Grant Permission by reviewing and completing Title IV Auth Form

If you choose not to use all or a part or your book voucher and you have a credit when your financial aid is posted to your account, you will receive a check in the mail or a direct deposit refund.

If you are eligible for a book voucher, you will receive a communication from the Student Accounts Office to your MassBay email.

Book voucher emails begin two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Your book voucher may be adjusted for a number or reasons including:

  • Adding and dropping classes
  • Financial aid adjustments
  • Health insurance waiver
  • Declining student loans

If there is a change to your book voucher, you will receive an email with an updated book voucher amount. 

If you spend funds at the bookstore that you are no longer eligible for, these charges will be added to your student account and you will be responsible for payment of the balance.

Financial Aid Federal Title IV Authorization

Students receiving Federal Financial Aid Title IV funding sources such as Pell and SEOG Grants as well as Federal Direct Loans may be eligible to use excess funds towards additional fees. Federal regulations permit MassBay to credit any Federal Financial Aid received to pay current tuition and fees on your student account. You must authorize MassBay, before we are permitted to apply aid to other educationally related charges, such as Student Health Insurance and bookstore vouchers. Your authorization will remain active for the rest of your academic career at MassBay unless you revoke it in writing to the Student Accounts Office.

Bookstore Voucher Calculation

Bookstore vouchers are calculated by totaling all approved sources of financial aid and deducting all outstanding tuition and fee charges. This amount is not a separate award, and the value of the bookstore voucher is subject to change based upon adjustments to financial aid eligibility, enrollment and tuition and fee charges. The maximum authorization for a bookstore voucher is $1000.00 dollars for full time students or $500 for half time or part time students. If your financial aid is reduced or cancelled, you are responsible for payment of all bookstore charges made against the bookstore voucher authorization and until these charges are paid in full a hold will be placed on your student account.Watch your MassBay email for a message from the Student Accounts Office prior to the start of the semester letting you know that your book voucher is available for use.

For instructions on how to complete the Title IV Authorization /Bookstore Voucher Form, and for additional information on the sources of federal aid that qualify for the book store voucher, please visit the Bookstore Voucher Page.