Columbia Central

Requirements for Book Charge

Please note, only students seeking a degree or certificate at Columbia College Chicago are eligible to participate in the Book Charge program. Additionally, a Book Charge can only be approved if a student is registered for the term in which the Book Charge is requested.

• Payment by Payment Plan
  Students who are not using any federal, state, or other third party funding and are paying their tuition charges with personal resources are required to be enrolled in an active Columbia College Chicago payment plan for the semester to participate in the Book Charge program. The amount of the requested Book Charge, up to $750, may be added to the payment plan.
• Financial Aid Recipient

  If the student's financial aid awards and loans are secured (all required documents submitted) and the total amount of the student’s grants, scholarships, and loans exceeds his or her total account charges, the amount of the credit balance is eligible for the Book Charge program, up to $750.

  If a student who receives financial aid does not have a credit balance, he or she can still participate in the Book Charge program if enrolled in an active Columbia College Chicago payment plan. The amount of the Book Charge may be added to the payment plan.

• Third Party Benefit Recipient

  If the total of the student’s secured financial aid and third party funds (meaning all required documents submitted) exceeds his or her account charges, the amount of the credit balance is eligible for the Book Charge program.

  If a student receiving a third party payment does not have a credit balance, he or she can still participate in the Book Charge program if enrolled in an active Columbia College Chicago payment plan. The amount of the Book Charge may be added to the payment plan.

Book Charge Terms

• Book Charge funds are credited to the student's Campus Card upon approval of a Book Charge Authorization Form.
• Unused Book Charge funds remain on the student's Campus Card and may be used at all campus locations that accept Columbia Cash, anytime during enrollment at Columbia College Chicago.
• The Book Charge amount is posted to the student’s tuition account and must be paid in full, along with all other tuition charges, by the payment plan due date.
• The Columbia Payment Plan may be rebalanced to include the additional Book Charge amount that posted to the student's tuition account.
• The Book Charge Authorization Form is available online only and is located on the MyColumbia portal.

When the authorization form is submitted, the student will receive an email with information about Book Charge program eligibility. The student will be notified of Book Charge acceptance or denial via email within two business days.  

Students who are approved for a Book Charge will receive a confirmation email when the funds have been added to their Campus Card. Students who are declined for a Book Charge should contact Columbia Central regarding the eligibility requirements for the Book Charge program. 

Please note: students may receive only one Book Charge per semester.

 

Third Party Benefit Book Charge

Students who receive funds for books and supplies from outside agencies such as the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), Veterans Administration, or other Third Party agencies, must submit a Billing Notification from the agency to Columbia Central in order to receive a Third Party Book Charge.

Spring 2023:
Book Charge starts Monday, January 2, 2023
Book Charge ends Wednesday, February 15, 2023