Emergency Book Voucher Program

John Jay College Emergency Book Voucher Program is designed to provide immediate assistance to students facing economic challenges, ensuring they can obtain essential textbooks without delay. The vouchers can be used to purchase books and book codes (individual books costing $75.00 or more) from the college bookstore, helping to lessen the financial burden of educational expenses. This program aims to support students in maintaining their academic progress and achieving their educational goals, regardless of their economic circumstances.

Program Goals

Ensuring Accessibility: To ensure all students have equitable access to necessary educational resources, fostering an environment where financial constraints do not hinder academic achievement.
Retention and Success: By alleviating the financial burden of purchasing textbooks, the program aims to enhance student retention rates and academic success.
Empowerment: Empowering students to focus on their studies without the additional stress of financial hardship, promoting a positive and supportive learning experience.

Key Features

Rapid Response: The program offers swift evaluation and approval processes to ensure timely assistance when students need it most.
Financial Relief: Eligible students receive vouchers redeemable for textbooks and course materials at the bookstore or online platforms.
Flexibility: Vouchers can purchase new, used, or digital textbooks, adapting to student's diverse needs and preferences.
Equity and Inclusivity: The program prioritizes equity by addressing the financial barriers that could otherwise hinder students' access to essential learning resources.
Supportive Framework: Collaborative efforts between educational institutions, donors, and community partners sustain the program, fostering a supportive environment for student success.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for Book Voucher Program

Academic Standing: Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have no overdue balances on their accounts.

Financial Aid Credit: Students with anticipated financial aid credit balances are ineligible for the book voucher. Please consult your Financial Aid Advisor to verify your eligibility.

Application Frequency: Students may apply for the book voucher once per academic year.

The amount of the book voucher is determined by the availability of excess funding. The maximum amount a student may receive is as follows:

Fall/Spring Term: $500 (once per academic year)
Winter/Summer Terms: $200 (applicable only to graduating seniors in their last semester)

Application for a Book Voucher

To apply for a book voucher, please submit the following supporting documents along with your application:

- A copy of your current course syllabus for each required textbook.
- A screenshot of your book cart, which must include the individual prices of each book as well as shipping and handling costs.

Ensure that all documents are complete and accurate to facilitate the processing of your application.

Book Voucher Program FAQs

What is a book voucher?

A book voucher is a credit provided to students that can be used to purchase textbooks from the John Jay College bookstore.

Who is eligible to receive a book voucher?

Eligibility for a book voucher is typically determined based on financial need, enrollment status, and the availability of remaining financial aid after tuition and fees have been covered.

How does it work?

Eligible students can receive up to $500.00 worth of textbooks and textbook codes once per year. Note: Due to limited funds, students are encouraged to verify the availability of all required textbooks and class codes at the John Jay College Bookstore before requesting a book voucher.

When can a book voucher be requested?

Students are encouraged to secure their textbooks starting seven (7) days before the beginning of classes and continuing through the sixth (6) week of the semester.

May I purchase school supplies, such as notebooks and day planners, at the bookstore with the allotted amount on my book voucher?

No, students may NOT use their book vouchers to purchase school supplies or merchandise at the bookstore.

Can I get a cash refund on my purchases?

No, the book voucher has no cash value. Any unspent dollars on the book voucher will be returned to the Book Voucher Program account after the designated expiration date. Note: Book vouchers will expire 14 days after a book voucher code is issued to the student.

Can I purchase my books and be refunded?

No, there is no refund for books purchased by students.

Do I have to repay the book voucher?

No, the book voucher does not need to be repaid.

What happens if I don’t use the full amount of my book voucher?

Unused funds from a book voucher will be returned to the Book Voucher Program account and might be applied to other educational expenses or refunded according to the college’s policies.

Can I get a book voucher if I’m taking online classes?

Yes, students taking online classes are often eligible for book vouchers.

Can I get a Book Voucher for a future/upcoming semester?

No. Textbook/school supplies and other course expenses are considered part of planned educational costs and not classified as unforeseen emergencies.

What should I do if my book voucher is insufficient to cover all my textbooks?

If your book voucher does not cover all your required textbooks, you may need to explore additional financial aid options, budget for extra expenses, or seek used or rental textbooks to reduce costs. For guidance, please contact the financial aid office.