If I don't use all the FAFSA money for books, can I use it to buy a laptop??

twilight_girl09 · 07-14-2009, 03:05 PM

It's $1,750 for books & supplies. I don't think I need that much money to buy all my books. If I don't use all of it, can I use the leftover to buy a laptop or something else? Are the laptops expensive at the UCR bookstore?

tehlunatic · 07-14-2009, 03:19 PM

yea i believe you can use it for laptop or anything else that is school related

Number24 · 07-14-2009, 03:29 PM

Trust me, books are expensive when you go to college. You have to buy them 3 different times, you're going to need that money.

And actually, I don't think you can use that money for anything else. I'm not sure about this, but I think it's the same way they pay for your tuition. They don't let you use it for anything else. I'll ask someone today and let you know though.

Jason2009 · 07-14-2009, 03:56 PM

yeah after tuition and dorm the leftover is all your. IDK if that enough though since remember you are not getting the 800 or bucks for work study at the start so you may need an additional loan for a laptop

Whiteclock · 07-14-2009, 03:56 PM

Hot damn that's awesome

Number24 · 07-14-2009, 05:53 PM

Ok, yea, it turns out I was wrong. Sorry about that.

So here is how it works: FAFSA gives you money every quarter proportionally. The money for tuition gets paid automatically to your school and then rest goes either in your bank account or they write you a check. The left over money after you pay for your Room & Board is all yours to spend on whatever you need, but you are recommended to spend it on books, transportation, food, necessities, etc.

So to answer your question, yes, you can use it on a laptop if you don't spend all of it, but I recommend you wait until you are sure you won't spend all of it. They will NOT give you more money if you spend it all. You never know what, or how many classes you are going to take your 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Hope that helped.

twilight_girl09 · 07-14-2009, 11:21 PM

Oh ok thanks for checking it for me. Yeah I'll wait until my tuition,dorm & meal plans are paid off and I'll see how much leftover I get. I don't have enough money now to buy a new laptop, so that's why I want to use this money to buy one. Do you know another store I can get cheaper books than UCR bookstore? Where do you recommend I buy the books at?

Jason2009 · 07-14-2009, 11:43 PM

amazon or the book exchange on campus

twilight_girl09 · 07-14-2009, 11:48 PM

is it cheaper there at the book exchange?

Jason2009 · 07-15-2009, 01:32 AM

I heard its cheap and my Bear Facts counselor said buy there never the store

twilight_girl09 · 07-15-2009, 12:56 PM

oh ok thank you

Whiteclock · 07-15-2009, 03:56 PM

Isn't there a lot of demand for books there though...

JayEsZee · 07-15-2009, 04:01 PM

I'm sure you can find most of the books on half.com online.

Whiteclock · 07-15-2009, 04:12 PM

One problem though - since it's only a good idea to get the book after the first day of class, wouldn't there be problems with ordering online, since it takes a few days for shipping, but you need the book right then for class?

Jason2009 · 07-15-2009, 05:42 PM

You can order overnight in some websites