At Rogue Community College, your financial aid can help cover more than tuition and fees. If you have financial aid awarded, you may be able to use any excess funds to pay for required books and supplies.
Many classes use low-cost or no-cost materials, including Open Educational Resources (OER). When you search for your classes in the bookstore, you will see if textbooks are required or if free options are available. The options below can help you find and pay for the materials you need.
When You Can Use Financial Aid for Books and Supplies
If you have excess financial aid beyond your tuition and fees, you can use those excess funds in the online bookstore during a specific time each term.
- Financial aid becomes available when the bookstore opens for the term, about three weeks before the term.
- Financial aid remains available through the day after the add-drop deadline.
- You must have excess financial aid after tuition and fees to use funds for books and supplies.
- If you do not have excess aid, you will need to pay out of pocket.
Ways to Get Your Books and Supplies
Use the RCC online bookstore to find and purchase required textbooks and course materials.
- Search for books by course or term.
- Access the bookstore about 24 hours after registering for classes.
- Log in using your RCC student email username and password.
- Use eligible financial aid to charge purchases against excess funds, if available.
- Order early to make sure your materials arrive before classes begin.
Save money by borrowing materials through the RCC Library.
- Check out textbooks for free when available. Older editions may be available for purchase.
- Rent calculators at a low cost for the term.
- Laptops are available to borrow beginning the week before each term.
- Ask library staff for help finding course materials.
Download the free RCC Campus App on your phone to connect with other students to buy and sell used books.
- Find lower-cost options from other RCC students.
- Sell books you no longer need.
- Check listings regularly for the best selection.
If you receive financial aid, you may be able to use excess funds for purchases outside of RCC.
- Submit a Book/Supply Allowance Request to request excess aid that you can use to purchase items from non-RCC vendors.
- If approved, RCC will mail you a check. Those funds can then be used to purchase the items you need.
Some programs require specialized supplies.
- Purchase select class supplies through the RCC Marketplace.
- Check with your instructor to confirm what is required.
- Plan ahead to avoid delays.
Tips for Using Financial Aid for Books and Supplies
- Check your financial aid award in MyFinAid and your account balance or excess in
- Use myRogue to confirm available funds.
- Order materials as early as possible each term.
- Buy only the materials required for your courses.
- Keep receipts for your records.
- Review your class materials in the bookstore to identify low-cost or no-cost options.