The Pell Grant Purchase Advance Program is a paperless, electronic system to allow Federal Pell Grant recipients the opportunity to purchase books, supplies and transportation (Metrocards) from the college bookstore using their College ID.

Who is eligible for the Pell Grant Purchase Advance?
To be eligible you must:

	complete all requirements for enrollment and registration
	be eligible for Federal Pell Grant
	have an available Pell credit balance
	verify your tuition bill

You have an available Pell credit balance when the total amount of Federal Pell Grant, New York State tuition assistance (TAP/APTS), and any cash paid at registration is greater than the total of tuition and fee charges. Your purchase advance amount can be worth up to $400 depending on your remaining Pell credit balance. Purchase Advances are not additional financial assistance but permit access to a portion of your financial aid for the purpose of securing necessary books and materials.

How does the Pell Grant Purchase Advance Program work?
A BMCC ID Card is required in order to use the Pell Grant Purchase Advance in the college bookstore. The Bursar's Office will calculate available credit balances on a daily basis and submit this information to the college bookstore. Students with available credit balances who registered and verified their tuition bills prior to the first day of classes can begin making bookstore purchases on the first day of classes. The bookstore will apply your purchase advance eligibility as a credit toward purchases of books, supplies and Metrocards.

Do I have to make all my purchases at one time?
No. You may make purchases as often as you wish during the first four weeks of the semester. The college bookstore will maintain a continuous balance of your remaining eligibility.

How do I know if I am eligible for the Pell Grant Purchase Advance?
The Bursar will print this information on your registration bill. Because registration and financial aid can change during the beginning days and weeks of the semester, this information will also be available at the information desk in the college bookstore and on the Panther system, accessible from your home or college computers.

What if I register late, change my program or my financial aid is delayed?
Beginning with the first day of classes and continuing for three weeks during the semester the Bursar's Office will update their records each day with new registrations, course adds and drops, and newly received financial aid information. These changes can increase or decrease the amount of your eligibility. The day after the bursar's records are updated, the bookstore will receive revised available credit balances.

Note: you will be permitted to continue making purchases through the fourth week of classes . The Panther student information system will be updated with additional information daily.

Can I use the Pell Grant Purchase Advance at another bookstore?
The Purchase Advance may only be used at the Barnes and Noble bookstore branch at BMCC. However, textbook savings are guaranteed with Barnes and Noble's low price match. Additional information regarding the low price match can be obtained at the bookstore branch at BMCC.

What items may I purchase with the Purchase Advance?
Purchase items you require including new and used textbooks, other books as requested by your instructors, stationary and computer supplies, school bags, and Metrocards. Excluded items include giftware, clothing, food and snacks.

May I return items obtained through the Pell Grant Purchase Advance Program?
You may return items obtained thorough the purchase advance program in an unused, unmarked condition, with your sales receipt in accordance with Barnes and Noble return policies. No cash refunds will be issued. Students will receive credit to the Federal Pell Grant account for the price of the returned items.

What happens if my eligibility for financial aid changes?
In the event your eligibility for Pell Grant is reduced so that there are not sufficient funds to cover all or part of your bookstore purchases you will become liable to the college for payment of this shortfall.

What if I do not use any or all of my eligibility for a Pell Grant Purchase Advance?
Purchases made under the Pell Grant Purchase Advance Program are deducted from your semester's Federal Pell Grant. Therefore, if you do not use any or all of your advance eligibility, your Federal Pell Grant check issued later in the semester will reflect this.

Can I choose not to participate in the Pell Grant Purchase Advance Program?
Yes. Even if you are eligible to use the Purchase Advance, you can choose not to participate in the program in one of two ways:

Option 1: Not use your Purchase Advance
Unused Purchase Advance funds will be available to you as part of the regularly scheduled Spring Pell Grant distribution on November 5, 2008.

Option 2: "Opt Out" of the Purchase Advance Program for the Fall 2008 semester
If you choose to opt out of the program, the College will determine your eligibility to receive an advance payment in the form of a check. To opt out of the program for the Fall 2008 semester ONLY, you must do the following:

	Complete a Fall 2008 Opt Out Agreement. This form is non-reversible.
	Submit the completed form to the Financial Aid Office no later than Friday August 22, 2008.

Note: If you select this option your payment will be mailed to your home or direct deposited to your account no earlier than September 10, 2008.