Question: What is a book credit?
A book credit is an advance on your expected financial aid refund that allows you to purchase required textbooks, course materials, and eligible supplies before your financial aid is disbursed.
Important: A book credit is not additional financial aid. Every dollar you spend using your book credit is deducted from your financial aid refund because the funds come from your existing financial aid award.
Example:
- Expected financial aid refund: $900
- Book credit purchases: $250
- Remaining refund after aid is disbursed: $650
Question: Who is eligible for a book credit?
You may be eligible if:
- You have anticipated financial aid (grants, scholarships, and/or loans).
- Your financial aid is expected to cover your tuition and fees.
- You have remaining financial aid available after tuition and fees are paid (a credit balance).
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee the maximum book credit amount. Your available book credit depends on your remaining anticipated financial aid.
Question: When is book credit available?
Book credit is generally available:
- Approximately two weeks before the start of the semester
- Through the official enrollment verification date
Question: Where can I use my book credit?
Book credit can be used at the college bookstore.
Students may use:
- A physical OneCard
- A virtual OneCard through the Touchnet app
Question: How do I know how much book credit I have?
You can view your available book credit and your purchase history through myCCBC.
Question: Why does my refund seem smaller than I expected?
If you used your book credit, the cost of your bookstore purchases has already been applied against your anticipated financial aid.
As a result, your refund will be reduced by the amount you spent using your book credit
Question: Can I increase my book credit?
Financial Aid may be able to increase your book credit if:
- You have additional anticipated financial aid available beyond your current book credit amount.
- You provide a canceled receipt if requesting additional book credit for eligible purchases already made.
Approval is based on your remaining available financial aid and institutional guidelines.
Question: Why don't I have any book credit available?
You may not have book credit if:
- Your financial aid has not been awarded or authorized.
- Your financial aid does not fully cover tuition and fees.
- You do not have a remaining anticipated credit balance.
- The book credit period has ended.
Question: What is the First Day Book Fee?
Some courses participate in the First Day Book Fee program.
In these courses, the required course materials are automatically provided and the cost is included with your tuition and fees. Because these materials are billed directly to your student account, you may not need to purchase them separately using your book credit.
Question: Can I use my book credit after I receive my financial aid refund?
No.
Book credit is only available during the designated book credit period. After financial aid is disbursed, any remaining funds are issued to you as a refund according to the college's refund process.