Financial aid disbursements begin during the second week of each semester, so students will not receive their financial aid refunds to buy books until then. For this reason, there are two programs to assist financial aid recipients with purchasing their textbooks: the Textbook Purchase Program and the Short Term Advance for Books. Students must select to use one or the other of the two programs, not both, during any given semester.
Students registered for classes at any of the UCF Connect Campuses are likely to purchase textbooks/course materials from the bookstore on that campus site. For this reason, the Short Term Advance would be their best option.
Students who apply late for financial aid or have incomplete files should be prepared to cover their textbook expenses out-of-pocket.
The Textbook Purchase Program
For consideration, students must “opt-in” each semester on their myUCF Student Center. Eligible students can then purchase up to $600 on required books and supplies at the on-campus UCF Bookstores by simply presenting their UCF ID Card. Only the amount spent at the UCF Bookstores will be added as a charge to the student’s account. Once financial aid is disbursed, it will pay off this charge after other UCF expenses are paid. In the event financial aid is canceled or reduced after approval, the student becomes fully responsible for paying the debt.
The Textbook Purchase Program is available three weeks before classes begin and the first week of classes each semester. The deadline to opt-in to the Textbook Purchase Program is 5 PM on the third day of classes each semester.
To qualify, a student must be currently enrolled at least half time in UCF classes.
- All “To-Do List” items must be complete.
- Students must have a valid UCF ID Card.
- Students must have financial aid in excess of their total tuition & fees.
Check the Bulletin Boards on myUCF for specific dates and information throughout the year.
Short Term Advance
The Short Term Advance is available to assist students with books and supplies expenses by “advancing” up to $600 of their financial aid to them. The students receive the funding via direct deposit or check, and then may use it at any bookstore to purchase their books. Once financial aid disburses, the Short Term Advance debt is paid, along with other university expenses. The application is available for download around three weeks prior to each semester, so that funds may be available on or before the first day of classes.
To qualify, a student must be currently enrolled at least half time in UCF classes.
- All “To Do List” items must be complete.
- The application must be fully completed and submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
- $600.00 is the maximum for financial aid recipients, and must have financial aid in excess of their total tuition & fees.
- $300.00 is the maximum for non-financial aid recipients.
- A $5.00 non-refundable processing fee will be assessed and added to the balance of the advance. If the advance is canceled, the $5.00 service charge still must be paid.
Example: You request $600, you owe $605
Please Note: Short Term Advance eligibility is determined by the information available at the time the application is reviewed. Changes in a student’s financial aid eligibility due to changes in eligibility, Satisfactory Academic Progress, or other eligibility requirements, can result in the loss of aid and the student being responsible for payment of the Short-Term Advance.
Check the Bulletin Boards on myUCF for specific dates and information throughout the year.