Book Advances allow you to use a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies from any business. It is not free or additional funds. This book advance is for educational expenses only. Students are not permitted to purchase books for other students. Misuse of the book advance credit is in violation of federal regulations.
Due to federal financial aid regulations, effective Fall 2011, Book Vouchers are being replaced with Book Advances.
Book Advance Eligibility Requirements
- You must have an anticipated financial aid/scholarship award.
- You must have sufficient aid to cover your outstanding student account balance and enough funds to cover the book advance amount.
- You must be registered in classes for the upcoming term.
- You must be meeting the Maricopa Community College District’s Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Please note: Not all types of financial aid are eligible to receive a book advance. Common types of aid that ARE eligible include:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Other Federal and State Grant Programs
- Federal Student Loans
- Most Scholarships
Student’s Responsibility
- Opt-In to receive your advance if you receive aid that requires you to Opt-In.
- Meet all terms and conditions for your financial aid.
- Spend the money wisely! Use the funds to purchase the required books and supplies you need for your classes.
- If you receive a book advance and are later determined to not be eligible for it, then you are responsible for returning the funds back to your school.
- If you receive a Book Advance then decide not to come to school, you are responsible for repaying the amount you received.
- Students cannot receive additional Book Advances above the amount they are eligible to receive.
Book Advance Amounts
| Semester Enrollment Level |
# of Credits |
Maximum Book Advance Amount for Semester |
| Full Time |
12 or More Credits |
$600* |
| 3/4 Time |
9 to 11 Credits |
$450* |
| 1/2 Time |
6 to 8 Credits |
$300* |
| Less than 1/2 Time& |
Less than 6 Credits |
$150* |
*To qualify for the maximum amount, students must have enough financial aid to cover their outstanding student account balance plus enough aid to also receive the maximum Book Advance amount.
Example: Alex is a full-time student at Mesa Community College taking 12 semester credits for the Fall Semester. Alex has $1,500 of anticipated financial aid, and an outstanding account balance of $1,000. Although Alex is enrolled full-time, she will receive $500 – NOT $600 – as her Book Advance. The reason: Alex’s outstanding account balance and book advance cannot exceed her $1,500 of anticipated financial aid.
Book Advances will not be issued any earlier than 5 business days before the start of the student’s semester. This timeframe has been established by the Maricopa Community College District. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
Book Advances will be issued through the Maricopa Student Refund Program (MSRP). In order to receive your Book Advance funds as soon as possible, it is essential for new students to monitor their Gmail account and Student Center at My.maricopa.edu for instructions to enroll in the Maricopa Student Refund Program. The debit card and direct deposit options are the generally the fastest way for students to receive refunds in hand. Typically, a student will receive a notification within 1 to 2 business days after receiving their anticipated financial aid award.
Opting-Out
Students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and qualify to receive a Book Advance have the right to opt-out of the program. If you Opt-Out of the program, your Book Advance monies will be included with your financial aid refund. This refund typically arrives AFTER school starts. Please review your college’s financial aid refund processing policies for more information.
Opting-In
Students who have accepted their financial aid and scholarship(s), or are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and qualify to receive a Book Advance may be able to Opt-In the program. If you Opt-In to the program, your Book Advance monies will be disbursed as early as 5 business days prior to the start of your classes. Please note, you will receive your remaining financial aid refund AFTER school starts. Please review your college’s financial aid refund processing policies for more information.
