Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education:
The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance to schools regarding various options to assist students in obtaining or purchasing books and supplies. These options may include cash disbursements, bookstore vouchers, stored value cards, school credit, checks, and Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) to the student's bank account. Maine College of Health Professions has chosen to use the book voucher process for students to purchase books and supplies. The U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines state that if a student uses the option provided by the institution to get books and supplies, the student is considered to have authorized the use of Title IV funds and does not need written authorization for this purpose only. To ensure that students have timely access to books and supplies, the Book Voucher Policy at Maine College of Health Professions is based on the guidelines and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education.
Eligibility:
The Office of Financial Aid determines if a student is eligible for the book voucher. To be eligible for the book voucher, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Must be admitted as a matriculated student
- Must have a current FAFSA on file if applicable
- Must meet general requirements for receiving federal or state aid if applicable
- Must have all required verification documents submitted to the Financial Aid office if applicable
- Must be registered for course(s)
- Must be awarded aid and have funds remaining from their awards after all charges are paid in full or approval of third-party commitment
Process:
The Office of Financial Aid will determine and provide appropriate information to eligible students. After all charges are paid in full, vouchers are issued to students with funds remaining from their award(s). If there is a credit balance, the student can use pending aid to purchase books from the College Bookstore up to a maximum of $1500/semester. By using a book voucher, the student is authorizing the Maine College of Health Professions to deduct all bookstore charges from any amount of aid in excess of tuition and other charges. Excess financial aid awards will be reduced as a result of these charges.
College Bookstore provides a record of purchases to the Bursar, and the Bursar deducts these charges from the student’s account.
Student Responsibility:
If the student’s financial aid eligibility changes or awards require re-calculations due to a change in the student’s course schedule, the student will be responsible for the balance created on his/her student account from the book voucher. If the student does not receive financial aid or withdraws before receiving financial aid, all outstanding charges, including the books charged, will be the student’s responsibility.
Misuse of financial aid funds is in violation of federal regulations.
No exceptions are made to this policy.
Approved:______________________________________________________________________
Monika Bissell, DBA
President