What Are Financial Aid Funds Advances?

Financial Aid Funds Advances allow you to use a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks, education-related technology, and supplies prior to the disbursement of financial aid funds. It is not free or additional funds. This financial aid advance is for educational expenses only, and students have two options to receive funds. 

A Financial Aid Funds Advance allows you to receive a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies from businesses outside of our contracted vendor, Akademos. You must submit a request during the request period each semester, and if you are eligible, funds will be made available via check or direct deposit. 

A Bookstore Voucher Advance allows you to receive a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks, education-related technology, and supplies with our contracted vendor, Akademos. You do not need to do anything to receive this book advance. Once you have an accepted financial aid award and meet all of the Bookstore Voucher Advance requirements below, you will be able to purchase books at the bookstore within 1-2 business days. If you have already received a Financial Aid Funds Advance, you are not eligible for a Bookstore Voucher Advance.

Akademos has low-cost laptops through their Dell Direct program that students can purchase with their book advance funds. Visit lonestar.textbookx.com "School Supplies" section and select "Dell" to view laptop options.

Steps to Submit a Financial Aid Funds Advance Request

• Login to your myLoneStar account when the advance request becomes available. Check the dates below.
• Under the Financial Aid tab click "Financial Aid Funds Advance Form"
• After completing the request form you will receive a confirmation email.
• LSC will determine eligibility and issue funds after the request period closes.

Summer 2025 Advance Dates

Requirements For Financial Aid Funds & Bookstore Voucher Advance

Students must have accepted financial aid in the form of eligible scholarships, grants, or loans for the term for which funds are being requested. 

• Students should have a final class schedule. Any changes to the student's schedule after receiving the book advance will be the student's responsibility.
• Students' financial aid must exceed the tuition and fee bill by at least $25. 
• Recipients will receive up to a maximum of $1000, if eligible.
• Tuition and fees will be paid first from the student's eligible financial aid funds.  Financial Aid Funds Advances and Bookstore Voucher Advances will appear as a charge on the student's LSC account balance.
• Students must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.  Students with an undetermined SAP status will not be eligible for a funds advance until SAP the status is updated for the term.

Please Note: If a student is issued any advance funds or bookstore voucher and later is determined to be ineligible due to schedule changes, courses that do not count toward the student's program, or any other eligibility change, funds may be owed back to the college.  Any balances caused by a change in eligibility are the responsibility of the student. 

Funds Advance Best Practices

• Check your financial aid and e-mail accounts frequently to ensure that you do not miss important information.
• Schedule changes will effect financial aid and funds advance eligibility.  Visit with a financial aid advisor before making purchases to make sure that your award is correct.
• Spend conservatively; If you spend more than you are eligible to receive, you will owe money back.

LSC Bookstore Voucher Advance Checklist

Step 1:  Final class schedule
Step 2:  Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
Step 3:  Check myLoneStar to confirm you have an accepted award and a credit balance of at least $25.00 (after tuition and fees)
Step 4:   Login to the bookstore website (with your myLoneStar credentials) to view available funds.

*If any of the above items are not complete, you must wait 24 to 48 hours after the requirement(s) are met to make purchases in the bookstore. Should you have concerns, please see your campus Financial Aid office.