Voucher program helps students buy books early

  Friday, August 2, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

A new voucher program at Pittsburg State University will help students have the textbooks they need on the first day of class.

 

Beginning with the Fall 2013 semester, the PSU Barnes and Noble Bookstore will offer textbook vouchers to students in the amount of their financial aid refund up to $500. The voucher, which would be available the day after the student verifies enrollment, can be used to purchase textbooks weeks before classes begin. The Verification of Enrollment process begins Monday, Aug. 5.

 

The voucher amount, which can range from $25 to $500, will be available for books and limited supplies at the PSU Bookstore. Any unused portion of the voucher will be refunded to the student’s account during the second week of class. For students who live on campus, the remaining credit would be applied to the University Housing balance.

 

For most students, financial aid refunds are not disbursed until the weekend before classes begin. Taking advantage of the voucher program allows them to essentially take out an advance to purchase books.  

 

“The voucher program is a wonderful way for students to have funds available to purchase their textbooks early and be fully prepared on the first day of classes,” said Fawn Chessnutt, manager of the PSU Barnes and Noble Bookstore. “We don’t want students to have to wait until the first day of classes to be able to afford to buy books."

 

Students have the option to opt in to the program or not. Those who do not opt in will receive their refunds as usual in their Commerce Bank student account. If a student opts in but has a refund of more than $500, the excess will be deposited into his or her student account during the regular disbursement cycle.

 

The Fall 2013 semester begins Monday, Aug. 19.

 

For more information on the voucher program, visit
http://www.pittstate.edu/office/financial_aid/PSU+Gorilla+Bookstore+Voucher.dot