Bookstore Voucher Advance

Students eligible for a book advance will receive email notifications with details. The email sent to student prior to the start of the fall and spring semester will provide the date through which the advancement will be valid. There will be no extensions.

Your estimated federal financial aid package must exceed your financial obligation to the University for the current semester in order to qualify for the book advance program.  A book advance is an available line of credit at the UMassD Campus Store to be used for textbooks and course related supplies (cannot be used for gift cards). If you qualify for a book advance, you will receive an email in your University student email account. Book advances may vary in range from $50 and $600 for Graduate and Undergraduate students.  Law student advances will range from $50 to $750.

Using a book advance does not change the total of your financial aid awards. It is not an additional award. A book advance is simply a way to access your financial aid for bookstore purchases. At the end of the book advance timeframe, the book advance shown on your student account will reflect the actual amount spent with the Campus Store. 

Students are awarded financial aid based on anticipated enrollment in full-time coursework. The following may reduce or eliminate your anticipated excess financial aid:

  • Less than full-time enrollment
  • Enrollment in online courses, offered a reduced rate
  • Changes to your financial aid eligibility, including declined student loans
  • Additional charges on your student account
  • Withdrawal from the university

If your financial aid/loans are reduced for any reason, you must personally accept full responsibility for all charges made to the bookstore. Failure to repay the University in full may result in the withholding of University services and/or ability to register for the upcoming semester. Outstanding obligations will be referred to a collection agency and the student assumes liability for all associated collection fees and costs. 

Note

  • Students living in Balsam & Spruce who plan to use a financial aid refund/excess funds to assist with housing costs: using the book advance will reduce and/or eliminate your excess funds.  We suggest that students living in Balsam & Spruce check in with the Student Service Center to discuss the impact of using a book advance.
  • If loans are part of your financial aid package and you will be declining the loans, please contact the Student Service Center to verify that you still qualify for a book advance.
  • Students who withdraw within the first four weeks of classes may be able to return books if the books are returned in the same condition as purchased.  Please contact the Campus Store at Bookstore.Team@umassd.edu for questions regarding book returns.