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What is book charging?
Book charging, also called the BLOC or Bookstore Line of Credit, lets financial aid recipients buy textbooks and other course materials at the SF Bookstore before aid disburses. The charges post against the student account and are paid from aid during disbursement. Book charging is not an additional award. It is early access to aid the student is already receiving.
Am I eligible to charge books?
A student is eligible when all of the following are true:
- Aid has been awarded for the semester
- Awarded aid is more than tuition and fees, with funds left for books
- For loans: the offer is accepted, entrance counseling is complete, and the Master Promissory Note is signed
- SF is the student's home institution and is processing the student's aid
There's no application or sign-up. A student who has aid awarded that exceeds their tuition and fee bill receives a bookstore line of credit, and gets an eSantaFe [WEB LINK: eSantaFe login] notification when book charging is available. Loan awards only count toward available aid once the loan is accepted and the loan documents are completed. The home-institution requirement excludes UF@SF students whose home is UF and incoming transient students from another institution, because their aid is processed elsewhere.
When can I charge books?
There are two charging periods each semester, one tied to the semester and one tied to B term. Each period opens on a date published each semester and closes on the last day to drop for that session. A student who needs materials after the period closes pays out of pocket and waits for disbursement.
Current charging-period dates are published on the SF Financial Aid website [WEB LINK: SF Financial Aid website].
What can I buy with book charging?
Academic materials and supplies from the SF Bookstore. Textbooks and textbook rentals are the core use. The bookstore also allows required course supplies, notebooks, office supplies, backpacks, and technology.
The most a student can charge in a period is the higher of their excess aid (awarded aid minus tuition and fees) or $783.
How do I use book charging at the store?
At the SF Bookstore, bring a valid photo ID. The bookstore confirms your line of credit at checkout. You don't need to visit the Financial Aid Office or sign up anywhere first.
What happens to the money I don't use?
Any portion of the aid set aside for books that the student doesn't use returns to the student account and refunds as part of disbursement.
What if my aid changes after I've charged books?
The student is responsible for the charged amount. If aid is reduced or withdrawn after charges have posted, the balance stays on the student account. An unpaid balance can place a hold on the account that prevents registration and other services until it's paid. For questions about a balance or a hold, contact the Cashier's Office.