Book Advances

The Book Advance program allows you to use a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies from any business. The book advance funds are issued through the Maricopa Student Refund Program (MSRP) and will be issued no earlier than 5 business days before the start of your semester. Be sure to review your class schedule for specific information about the books and supplies you will need. Book advances are not free or additional funds; they are an advance of your anticipated financial aid and are 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.

Book Advance Eligibility Requirements:

1. You must have an anticipated financial aid/scholarship award.
2. You must have sufficient aid to cover your outstanding student account balance and have enough funds to cover the book advance amount.
3. You must be registered in classes for the upcoming term.
4. 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

1. Opt In to receive your advance if eligible. Meet all terms and conditions for your financial aid.
2. Spend the money wisely! Use the funds to purchase the required books and supplies for your classes. Remember to review your class schedule in your Student Services Center so you purchase the right materials.
3. If you receive a book advance and are later found ineligible, then you are responsible for returning the funds back to your school.
4. If you receive a book advance and decide not to attend school, you are responsible for repaying the amount you received.
5. You cannot receive additional book advances above the amount you are eligible to receive. See below:

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 be issued no 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.  

Process Overview

  In order to receive your book advance as soon as possible, monitor your Gmail account and Student Services Center at my.maricopa.edu. Book Advances will be issued through the Maricopa Student Refund Program (MSRP). The debit card and direct deposit options are the generally the fastest way for students to receive refunds in hand.

Opting-Out (Visit Your Student Services Center at my.maricopa.edu under FINANCES)

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, 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 (Visit Your Student Services Center at my.maricopa.edu under FINANCES)

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, your Book Advance monies will be disbursed as early as 5 business days prior to the start of 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.