2008 Woodie Awards
BHC offers different ways to buy books
Follett sets up gift card program for students
Alma Aguinaga
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News
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The contract, which was instituted at the beginning of the fall semester, consists of two methods, the first being a one time $350,000 in advanced commissions to be distributed among all seven community colleges, George Herring, vice president of business services, said.
Herring said Brookhaven College's portion of the total is $49,175 and is based on its annual commissions. He said this money was used to create a book loan fund.
"Qualifying students are eligible to borrow $250 for books each semester," Herring said. "The loan must be repaid by the end of each semester and is timed to coincide with Follett's book buy back program."
He said the second method consists of $50,000 a year in textbook scholarships of which Brookhaven is entitled $7,000. The scholarships, which come in the form of gift cards, come in values of $20, 50 and 100 and can be used at any of the seven Follett locations.
Robert Burchfield, financial aid director, said the loans are primarily given to students based on their needs. He said these are students who are not receiving any or very little financial aid.
Burchfield said to receive the book loan the student must be enrolled in six semester hours and have a minimum 2.0 grade point average. For a list of all the requirements as well as an application, students can visit the Financial Aid office in S Building.
Mike Aviles, undecided sophomore, said he liked the idea of the book loan as well as the gift cards.
"It would help people who do not receive financial aid," Aviles said. "People paying out of pocket really need some extra help paying for books."
Burchfield said the gift cards, which are separate from the book loans, are also given to students who do not receive financial aid.
He said the $7,000 given by Follett was to be divided between the fall and spring semesters. He said this semester the Financial Aid department had a greater response from students as far as need.
Burchfield said roughly $3,000 has already been set aside for the spring semester.
Burchfield said this was the first time Follett has given Brookhaven $7,000 to be used in book gift cards.
"I worked at Richland College before I came here last November," he said. "Over there the most that I ever had from Follett was $750 per semester."
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