<p>The costs for my upcoming college year is pretty much taken care of with scholarships and financial aid. I was wondering how books come into play. Let's say that I buy my books online, rather than from the school....does that mean that I will have to pay if from my own pocket? Or is the amount that they gave me for books only valid if I buy from the school? Buying online is much cheaper (like on eBay), so I really don't want to buy it from my school...</p>
<p>The university my son attends gave the total amount they thought would cover tuition, books, fees, housing, etc. on the financial page. The university keeps the amount they receive for tuition, housing, fees (in our case from scholarships and grants) and refunds the extra to you by transfering it to your bank account or sending you a check so you pay for books and misc.</p>
<p>My son's work study covered his books (work study earnings are paid directly to him).</p>
<p>Hm...I am still a little bit confused... Should I contact my financial aid office?</p>
<p>At my Ds school all her financial aid (need money) and scholarships for the semester is credited to her bursars account. Then all the charges (tuition and fees, room and board, parking pass etc) are charged to the account. If the charges exceed the money credited to the acount then we owe them money. If the money credited to the account exceeds the charges then there is a credit on her account and this will be refunded to her by check. </p>
<p>If you have excess money refunded to you then you can use it to pay for books from wherever you choose to buy them (of course you will probably have had to pay for the books before you recieve the check if, as in our D's case, the refund is not paid until the beginning of the 2nd month of school). If your expenses exceeded the money credited to your account then you will not receive a check and will have to find the money for books elsewhere.</p>
<p>Your school should have all this information available somewhere. i.e dates of refunds, how they are paid to you etc. Go to your school web site and search for Bursars Office. Also if you have a work study award you can use that money to pay for books - but you have to earn it first. The timing is a bit more difficult if you buy your books elsewhere in that you will have to pay for the books before you have the money in hand (assuming you have a refund due or WS earnings). We paid for Ds books. It's all we have to pay this year :) But she has been instructed to put her refund aside to pay for any additional charges to her bursars account between now and the end of semester.</p>
<p>Oh I believe some schools give you the option of refunding excess funds or leaving them in the Bursars account for future expenses. You need to check that with your school especially if you need the money for books. I wish Ds school did it that way as I know there are bound to be some little additional expenses. There have already been a few we had not budgeted for.</p>
<p>Even with financial aid...</p>
<p>At a top cost school, the cost of books, Room, Food are much smaller proportion of the total cost of attendance when compared to a public school, instate student. Books was a minor issue and not a make or break issue when we are trying to make just tuition. Books are optional expense to student and not included in Cost of Attendance. </p>
<p>Our son tried diligently to economize as did his friends. Books were shared, or when one mate took a class and the other mate took this class the next semester, the text was past on or sold very attractively priced. Son dormed in triples rather than standard double or live off campus (more expensive). No car. No meal plan. No SpringBreak trip other to Home.</p>
<p>Yes, I think you should ask your college. Maybe they sent you the money and you didn't get it.</p>