Temporary Bookstore Account

Students receiving financial aid in excess of their institutional charges (tuition, fees, meals, housing, etc.) may request a bookstore account be established at the KU Campus Store for the purchase of course-required books and school supplies.

spring 2024 Program

• Submit the online form starting January 8, 2024- one form per semester only.
• Requests open until February 2nd - Last day to make purchases is February 6th.
• Bookstore Account requirements - Information Sheet

Program Coverage

This is a limited program and is not intended to cover all bookstore expenses. There are three options available only - $200, $500 and $750. One account per person, per semester (fall and spring only).

Requests Online

Online requests open 2 weeks before the semester starts and close at the end of Add/Drop. Purchases must be made by the date on the form (a few days after the end of Add/Drop).

Eligibility

To be eligible for a bookstore account:

• The student must be registered for classes in the semester for which excess financial aid is available
• The student must be current on all university accounts (no past due amounts)
• The student has Granted Permissions for both Title IV and OTH AID in MyKU (KU Financial Account tile > View Student Permissions option on left)
• All documents and forms necessary for disbursement of funds must be completed, verified and certified (ex., terms and conditions, master promissory note, entrance counseling, etc.)
• The Financial Aid Office must certify that the student has excess funds available to cover the amount selected
• The university has not issued a refund for the excess funds
• ONE request per semester for the amount selected 

KU Campus store purchasing options

Once you verify that the bookstore account has been approved and is ready to be accessed, you can make purchases in the store or online. 

If you choose to purchase online, you will need to add a credit card which will be authorized for the purchase (a hold on those funds). If your bookstore account is verified, the bookstore will only charge you for the amount that exceeds your account, if any. The temporary hold on your card will be released generally within a week or so depending on your card provider. If your bookstore account is not verified, the card will be charged.

Shipping books - a reminder that this can take quite some time to occur and be received during the winter season with weather delays and COVID staffing both on campus and with shipping companies such as UPS, etc... You don't want your books shipped to your home after you have returned to school already! The bookstore does offer a pick-up option, which is often the safest this time of year!

For in-person purchases, you will just need your student ID and payment for any amount exceeding your approved account (if any). Check to be sure your account is ready to use BEFORE you travel to the bookstore.

Questions

How will you know the account is ready to use in the KU Campus Store?

• Students should check their Account Activity in MyKU. MyKU > KU Financial Account Tile > Account Activity option on left. If they see the Bookstore Charge on their account activity, they can visit the bookstore. The approximate time frame is 2 business days, so please plan accordingly. The student can also look at the Payment Dashboard > your Account box > click here to see current activity since last statement.

What can I purchase with this limited bookstore account?

• Required text books, rental text books (rental text books will require a valid credit card as well), clickers for attendance, required Art Class supplies, required mechanical calculators, computers, notebooks, pencils/pens, general office supplies.
• Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: food & clothing.

What exactly is the process for obtaining a bookstore account each semester?

1. Complete the online request form (link above when the program is open).

2. If the request is approved, the Office of Student Accounts will post a Bookstore Charge on MyKU to hold those funds for the purchases you will make.

1. If denied, Financial Aid or Student Accounts will email the students KU email to indicate the reason for the denial and if there is action they can take to be approved.

3. The student will go to the KU Campus Store and make purchases up to the account limit or pay the additional amount as needed. If the full account is not used by the semester deadline, the credit for the unused portion will post to the students MyKU accounts within a week after the program closes and either apply to their balance due OR will be refunded on the next refund day in accordance with the university's refund policy. The student will NOT lose money!

**Bookstore accounts created and not used will see the funds release occur within one week of the completion of the program. If you decide to not use the account, you may cancel the account (48 hours processing time) by notifying the Office of Student Accounts.