Buying Books with Financial Aid
If you have financial aid funds available after paying tuition and 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 or session 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 2018 semester
First charge period (16-week sessions & 12-week sessions)
Charge Period starts: August 6, 2018
Charge Period ends: September 17, 2018
Second charge period (8-week sessions)
Charge Period starts: October 12, 2018
Charge Period ends: October 17, 2018
Bookstore Authorization Forms are only available online. To access them, log into myTCC, click on the SIS icon, and navigate to your Student Center. The form will be located in your To Do List.
Log into myTCC, click on the SIS icon, and navigate to your Student Center to view your financial aid award(s). 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; textbook purchases are not allowed.
** 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.
Your excess financial aid may 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.
Before visiting the bookstore, complete your online Bookstore Authorization Form and check your available financial aid funds in your Student Center. We encourage you to visit the Financial Aid Check-In desk, located inside the Barnes & Noble @ TCC.
Please remember to bring your TCC ID card and a copy of your class schedule.
View bookstore locations and hours
Before placing your order online, complete your online Bookstore Authorization Form and check your available financial aid funds in your Student Center.
When you have registered for your classes, select the “Bookstore Textbook Information” link and find all the textbooks needed for your courses. Select the items you wish to purchase. At checkout, select the External Student Financial Aid payment option and enter your SIS ID # in the provided space.
You may also visit the Barnes & Noble at TCC website and click the shop now button to purchase your textbooks.
The bookstore will confirm your order and email you when the transaction is complete. Sign up for the B&N College app to receive messages related to your order.
Download the B&N College app:
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.