Do you want to buy your books and supplies before the semester begins, but are low on funds until you receive your first financial aid disbursement? You may qualify for a bookstore line of credit! The bookstore line of credit is available to eligible students in advance of the fall and spring semesters.
How It Works
With a bookstore line of credit, you can charge your student account – using a bookstore voucher – for the cost of course materials (textbooks, access codes, and similar items) and school supplies purchased from the Los Rios bookstore, up to $450.
Eligibility
You are eligible for the bookstore line of credit if all the following are true:
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You have been awarded at least one of the following types of financial aid with an authorized disbursement:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Cal Grant
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You are a California resident for tuition purposes, or have a nonresident tuition exemption
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You have a financial aid award that exceeds tuition and fees for the semester
-
You are enrolled in at least six (6) financial aid course-applicable units
If you are eligible, you will automatically receive the bookstore line of credit. Look for an email to your preferred email address that includes:
- Your approved bookstore line of credit amount
- Your line of credit voucher code (your voucher code is unique to you and should not be shared with anyone else)
- The last day you can use the line of credit
- Instructions for using the line of credit online and in store
How to Use the Bookstore Line of Credit
Online Purchases
To use your bookstore line of credit online:
- Shop at the Los Rios online bookstore.
- Select Financial Aid as your payment method during checkout.
- Check the boxes for Internal Provider and I wish to pay for this order using my Financial Aid.
- Enter your line of credit voucher code in the Voucher Code field.
- Add credit card and billing address details (recommended).
- Select Apply Payment Methods.
- Select Proceed to Checkout.
In-Store Purchases
To use your bookstore line of credit in person at an on-campus bookstore:
- Visit the American River College or Sacramento City College bookstore.
- Tell the cashier you would like to pay using financial aid.
- Present your line of credit voucher code.
- Present a valid photo ID.
Before you make purchases using the bookstore line of credit, keep in mind:
- The bookstore line of credit is not additional financial aid and is not free money.
- The bookstore line of credit may only be used at a Los Rios on-campus bookstore (at American River College or Sacramento City College) or on the Los Rios bookstore website.
- The bookstore line of credit cannot be used at other bookstores or retailers.
- By using the bookstore line of credit, you authorize Los Rios Community College District to deduct bookstore charges from your financial aid refund.
- Any purchases made using the bookstore line of credit will be deducted from your financial aid refund before any remaining funds are released to you.
- If your purchases exceed your approved bookstore line of credit amount, you must pay the difference using another form of payment.
- Do not share your line of credit access code with anyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the bookstore line of credit additional financial aid?
No, the bookstore line of credit is not additional financial aid and is not free money.
By using the bookstore line of credit, you authorize Los Rios Community College District to deduct bookstore charges from your financial aid refund.
Any purchases made using the bookstore line of credit will be deducted from your financial aid refund before any remaining funds are released to you.
Can I use my bookstore line of credit after the semester begins?
No, the bookstore line of credit is only available during the published charge period.
After the charge period ends, the Financial Aid Office must finalize student accounts and begin disbursing financial aid.
Any unused portion of your bookstore line of credit remains part of your financial aid and will be included in your regular financial aid disbursement.
I know I meet the bookstore line of credit requirements, so why didn't I receive a voucher code?
Every student who meets the eligibility requirements automatically receives a bookstore line of credit.
Eligible students will receive an email containing:
- Approved credit amount
- Line of credit voucher code
- Charge period dates
- Instructions for using the line of credit
During the line of credit period, eligibility information is updated regularly.
If it has been more than a few days and you have not received a notification, contact your college Financial Aid Office.
Do I have to use the bookstore line of credit if it's available to me?
No, students may choose how much of their bookstore line of credit to use, or they may choose not to use it at all. Only the amount used will be charged to the student's account and deducted from their financial aid refund.
Do I have to spend the bookstore line of credit all at once?
No, students can make as many purchases as they want until they have spent the full amount of the line of credit or until the charge period closes, whichever comes first.
What if I use the bookstore line of credit and then my financial aid eligibility changes?
In cases where a student's financial aid eligibility changes and their financial aid funds are not enough to cover their bookstore line of credit charges, they will have a hold placed on their account. Those students will be ineligible for a bookstore line of credit in subsequent terms until they have repaid the remaining balance.
How will the bookstore line of credit charges appear on my Los Rios student account?
The total amount you purchase using the bookstore line of credit will appear as Bookstore Charges on your Los Rios student account in eServices. The charge will post to your account the first week of the semester, before the first financial aid disbursement.
Can I rent textbooks with the bookstore line of credit?
Yes, students may use the bookstore line of credit to rent textbooks.
Students may be required to provide a valid credit card on file as collateral for unreturned rental books.
For more information on setting up a rental account, see textbook rentals on the bookstore website.
Can I return items I purchased with a bookstore line of credit?
During the bookstore line of credit period, you can return items in accordance with the bookstore return policy. The amount of the return will be added back to your bookstore line of credit and available for use through the last day of the line of credit period. After the line of credit period closes, refunds on returned items will be issued in cash for in-person refunds and via gift card for online returns.
What is a line of credit voucher code?
Students who qualify for a bookstore line of credit receive a unique line of credit voucher code by email.
The code is used to access your bookstore line of credit online and in-store.
Do not share your line of credit voucher code with anyone else. You are responsible for purchases made using your voucher code.
Can I use my bookstore line of credit at any bookstore?
No, the bookstore line of credit may only be used at the Los Rios Community College District bookstores at American River College and Sacramento City College or the Los Rios Community College District bookstore website.
It cannot be used at other bookstores or retailers.
Can I see my available balance online?
No, the bookstore website does not display your approved credit amount or remaining available balance. You are responsible for keeping track of this information.
What happens if my purchases exceed my approved credit amount?
If your purchases exceed your approved bookstore line of credit amount, you must pay the difference using another form of payment.