Financial Aid

Financial Aid Spending Dates & Use on Campus

Financial Aid includes all GCS Sponsorship for Early Middle College students and others, Pell grants, Loans, Scholarships andother awarded aid which is eligible to be used in the stores.   All purchases must be rung up either in-store(Using Student I.D. and another acceptable I.D.) or ordered on this website using your Student I.D. # during the dates listed below.  No purchases can be applied to your aid award outside of these dates, so please be sure to make purchases during these dates if you do not want to pay out of pocket using cash, credit or check.  

What is a bookstore advance?        

A bookstore advance allows eligible students to purchase all or a portion of their books from the Campus Store using their excess financial aid funds. These charges are added to the student’s tuition account to be paid when their aid is disbursed to the account. The amount of your financial aid refund will be reduced by what is spent in the Campus Store.  Bookstore advances can be utilized in the Campus Store or on the website during the posted charge period dates.  Each student has a spending limit for these funds, and none exceed $1800 per term. For more information on how this works with 8-week sessions, please read below.

Who is eligible?        

If you have been awarded a scholarship, a sponsorship, federal or state grants, and/or Federal Direct Student Loans*, and if the amount of your aid exceeds the cost of your tuition/fees, you may qualify for a bookstore advance to help with the cost of your books. If you owe high school transcripts or other paperwork to the Admissions or Financial Aid Offices, you must satisfy the condition before being eligible for an advance.

* Federal Direct Loans will credit your account only if you have accepted your student loan(s) online via self-service (https://selfservice.gtcc.edu/). This process may take 1-3 business days before crediting your account and generating a bookstore advance.

What can I purchase using my Financial Aid award?   

Most grants and loans allow you to purchase course books, software, school supplies and technology needed for your coursework.  If using a scholarship or a sponsorship, be sure to refer to your award letter for limits.   Some items like kits, uniforms, and computers can only be purchased in-store and not online.  Have your Student I.D., another acceptable ID, and your schedule BEFORE coming to the stores.  

For 8 week and Financial Aid use in the stores or online ordering- Very important.

When can I use my financial aid award in the Campus stores this fall?

Students will be able to use their available grants, loans, scholarship or sponsorship for curriculum course materials, school supplies, apparel, technology, kits and uniforms on the following dates.  These dates are posted on this site prior to each term.  

Should I buy materials for all my courses up front in August or January, or should I wait to purchase them for the 2nd 8-week session?

If you are receiving a Federal Pell Grant or student loans, it is advisable to only purchase the materials for the session you are about to start.  If circumstances change, you will not have materials which may not be needed.  However, if you are ONLY receiving aid OTHER than Pell and loans, you should purchase your materials in the first session charge period OR save part of your refund to pay for 2nd session materials.

What is the last day I can return or exchange my course materials?  

Returns and exchanges must be completed by the 7th business day of the session.  

What is the last day I can OPT-OUT of DayONE course materials in CANVAS in an 8-week session? 

You can opt-out through the 5th business day of the session.  However, you must obtain your needed course materials by other means so you can participate in the course.

What can I purchase in the Campus Stores using my Financial Aid award for the 8-week session?

Federal Pell Grant and student loans allow purchases of most items in the stores, except for food and drink.  Students with scholarship and sponsorship awards should refer to their award letter detailing what items are covered for purchase.  

I am a Guilford County Schools CCP/Dual Enrollment student and need to get my books.  How does that change with 8-week courses?

For Guilford County Schools there is no change for CCP and Dual Enrollment students.  Course materials and supplies are not covered in the CCP program partnership and parents/students do have to pay for all course applicable fees and course materials separately at GTCC.   Students should present their class schedule to store staff and they will share the course materials and supply options which are required or optional for each class.  Students/Parents can check out at the registers using acceptable forms of payment.  Purchases do not have to made for these programs during the specified financial aid spending dates because they are not covered, but should be made in accordance with your course syllabus and departmental requirements for each course before the course begins or in the first week of class.  Note:  Just as with all curriculumn courses we encourage students to ONLY purchases materials for one session at a time.  You can return to make your purchase for the 2nd session before those courses begin.  

What is the most I can spend in the store using financial aid?  

You can check your limit via Self Service.  Go to https://selfservice.gtcc.edu, log in, and choose “My Bookstore Available Funds” under the “Student Finance” menu.

How do I know if I have a bookstore advance available?        

Students can check their self-service account (https://selfservice.gtcc.edu/) under “My Bookstore Available Funds”.    

ONLINE ORDERING: Online orders are sent to your home via UPS Ground and come with a $9.99 shipping charge. Please contact the campus store if you need a quote for shipping internationally.  All military APO addresses are eligible for $9.99 shipping.

Online orders are typically processed within 48 business hours but can take longer during the first week of classes. If you need a book immediately, we recommend visiting the Campus Store in person. Books/Access Codes ordered online should be ordered under the store where your course and section are offered.

All orders are filled with books we have in-stock at the time you place your order. If we do not have a book in your order, that portion of your ordered will not be filled, you will not be charged for that book, and you will need to check the in-stock status of the book again after you receive your order. Prices on our website are subject to change and the correct price will be listed on your receipt.

RETURNS/EXCHANGES/OPT-OUTS: Please complete your return or exchange once you drop or add a course.  The final date to complete a return or exchange for a term is the 7th day of the session.  Receipt is required. All mailed returns/exchanges must arrive by this date so that the college can credit your account properly; otherwise, they are returned to sender.  Book Buyback is available after this date. Students can test out DayONE materials, utilized for certain courses and delivered in CANVAS, for free for 5 days at the start of each session.  In order to receive a refund for DayONE fees, students should click the OPT-OUT button link provided in CANVAS by the 5th day of the course.  Students electing to opt out of a DayONE fee will be expected to purchase those materials elsewhere.

Thank you again for shopping the GTCC Bookstore where all proceeds stay on campus to support student-centered endeavors. 

Have a great Semester!

Click this link to go to our FINANCIAL AID OFFICE website for more information how to apply and use Financial Aid at GTCC. 

Notice:  For your personal information protection, only share your student I.D. number with Faculty and Staff as required.  If you believe someone has obtained your Student I.D. or I.D. number under false pretenses, please alert the Registrar's Office.