Using Aid at the Bookstore

Bookstore Policy

Students who are registered for the upcoming term will be allowed to charge at the Gaston College Bookstore if the student has remaining aid after tuition and fee costs are deducted. Please note: financial aid funds are made available 10 days before the start date of each course. If you have a course that starts after the standard first day of classes, all financial aid funds may not be available at the beginning of the term. Financial aid funds for late-start courses will be available in the bookstore 10 days before the start date. Bookstore purchase dates are determined by your last name; dates are sent to students each semester. Students may charge after their assigned date but not before.

Student accounts will be billed only for what was spent on their bookstore account before credit refunds are issued. The Financial Aid Office makes every effort to ensure the correct funds are available for use in the bookstore. If a student’s eligibility changes or the student decides to drop or not to attend classes after bookstore purchases are made, the student will be responsible for any charges not covered by financial aid. If a student does not officially drop and is reported as a “No Show” or as “stopped attending” by the instructor, the student will also be responsible for any charges not covered by financial aid.

Please plan ahead and purchase books and supplies before the scheduled cut off dates listed below, and plan ahead for late-start courses as you will be unable to charge anything to your student account after each term’s cut-off date. Due to the financial aid cycle and timing of release of financial aid checks, you can only charge items to your bookstore account during the following specific periods:

Fall Term

Charging Opens: Ten days before the start of the term, usually around August 14. Actual date changes annually. Funds for late start classes are available 10 days before the start date of the course.

Last Day to Charge In-Store Purchases for 16 week courses: First week of September
Last Day to Charge In-Store Purchases for late start courses: Last day of the week in which course begins

Spring Term

Charging Opens: Ten days before the start of the term, usually around January 2. Actual date changes annually. Funds for late start classes are available 10 days before the start date of the course.

Last Day to Charge In-Store Purchases for 16 week courses: Last week of January
Last Day to Charge In-Store Purchases for late start courses: Last day of the week in which course begins

Summer Term

Charging Opens: Ten days before the start of the term, usually around May 15. Actual date changes annually. Funds for late start classes are available 10 days before the start date of the course.

Last Day to Charge In-Store Purchases for 16 week courses: Last week of June
Last Day to Charge In-Store Purchases for late start courses: Last day of the week in which course begins

Please contact the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office at (704) 922-6227 if you have any questions concerning the availability of funds or other financial aid questions.