Buying Books with Financial Aid
If you have financial aid funds available after paying tuition, fees, you may use it to purchase textbooks at the Barnes & Noble at TCC store locations or on the bookstore’s website.
When You Can Purchase Books
There is a limited charge period each semester when you can purchase books using your financial aid award. Please wait 24 hours after your financial aid award is posted in SIS before buying books.
Fall 2017 semester
First charge period (16- and 12-week sessions)
Charge Period starts: August 7, 2017
Charge Period ends: September 11, 2017
Second charge period (2nd 8-week session)
Charge Period starts: October 14, 2017
Charge Period ends: October 18, 2017
Your excess financial aid can be used to purchase:
- Required and supplemental/optional textbooks for each class on your schedule that apply to your academic program
- Supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, etc.
- Additional items required for your academic program, such as uniforms (if required for lab or class participation), stethoscopes, culinary knives, protective goggles, etc.
You will need your TCC ID card and a copy of your class schedule. Visit the Student Financial Awards (SFA) counter when you arrive at the bookstore.
The bookstore staff will confirm your available funds, give you your purchasing sheet, and answer any of your questions.
View bookstore locations and hours
Visit the Barnes & Noble at TCC website and click the “shop now” button.
At checkout, select the Student Financial Aid payment option and enter your SIS/EMPL ID# in the provided space. Read and acknowledge the Terms of Use agreement, and complete your purchase.
Log into SIS to view your financial aid award. Subtract your tuition and fees from your total financial aid award to see if you have funds available to purchase books. For example:
| Award | Amount |
| Pell Grant Award | $1,225 |
| Commonwealth Award (COMA)* | $150 |
| Subsidized loan | $850 |
| Total financial aid award** | $2,225 |
| Subtract tuition and fees | -$2,173.20 |
| Funds available to purchase textbooks | $51.80 |
* COMA and PTAP grants may only be used to pay tuition and fees; they cannot be used to purchase textbooks.
** Remember the amount of the award you see in SIS is based upon your taking 12 or more credit hours. Your Pell award will be adjusted if you are not taking 12 or more credit hours that apply to your academic program.
Contact your campus financial aid office if you have any questions.
Financial Aid Offices
Financial aid help is available 24/7/365 by phone and online
Regular office hours are:
Monday and Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.