If there is a credit balance after all the financial aid has been applied, the student will be issued a refund. This typically occurs roughly one month after the start of the semester, but some refunds may be issued later depending on the academic program or type of fund. For more information on student refunds from overpayments, visit our Student Refund Information page.
MCLA has proudly partnered with eCampus for your textbook needs! eCampus is a fully online bookstore that provides textbooks, rentals, and digital content for students. Visit MCLA.eCampus.com to learn more.
Book advances are now digitally issued directly to your MCLA account! If you are expecting a student refund and wish to request a book advance, you must complete the Book Advance Request Form. You may request the exact dollar amount required to purchase/rent textbooks and digital content through eCampus.
Once a student has requested an advance for textbooks, Student Financial Services will process and review the request. Students will be notified if they are eligible or ineligible for a book advance.
Book advance credits will be issued digitally beginning on September 2, 2025.
If you are receiving a refund and would like to request an advance for books, you
must submit your request by completing the Book Advance Request Form through Dynamic
Forms.
It may take up to 48 business hours in order for Student Financial Services to review your eligibility and process your request. If you are deemed ineligible for a book advance for your desired amount, you will be notified.
The Book Advance Request Form is not yet available for Fall 2025. Please check back soon!
*If you have questions about the book advance process or are unsure of your eligibility, contact us at StudentAccounts@mcla.edu or call 413.662.5230. We also encourage you to review our Frequently Asked Questions!
A Book Advance is a digital advance from your financial aid refund that you may use to purchase/rent textbooks and through the MCLA’s online bookstore, eCampus.
If there is a credit balance on your account after all the financial aid has been applied, you will be issued a refund. Because refunds are not issued until mid-semester, eligible students may request an advance from their refund to purchase/rent textbooks and course materials.
You may request a Book Advance by completing the Book Advance Request Form. A request for an advance may be submitted now, and the Student Financial Services Office will begin issuing them on Tuesday, September 2 for the Fall 2025 semester.
The Office of Student Financial Services will begin issuing Book Advances on Tuesday, September 2 for the Fall 2025. Book Advances requested after this date will be processed within 48 business hours.
MCLA has proudly partnered with eCampus for your textbook needs! Book advances may only be used at MCLA.eCampus.com, MCLA’s fully online bookstore. If you request a book advance and are approved, the funds will be digitally added to your eCampus account.
If you do not use your full amount of your Book Advance, any unused funds will be returned to your MCLA account later in the semester. Unused Book Advances cannot be rolled to a future semester.
The rest is in our hands! We will confirm your eligibility for your requested amount. If eligible, the funds will be added to your account. If you are determined to be ineligible for your requested amount, we will notify you via email.
