NMC bookstore limits charges to $500

The Northern Marianas College bookstore is limiting student book charges to just $500 for each student from August through September.

According to bookstore manager Tricia Benavente, students on scholarships can charge books and supplies at a maximum of $500 only.

“I met with the students and agreed that they can charge at least notebooks and pens, as long as they don’t exceed $500 with essential supplies and books,” she said.

The bookstore will have on hand a tentative listing of the students receiving the federal Pell grant from the Financial Aid Office. A listing of CNMI Scholarship recipients will also be available at the bookstore for students charging under their Educational Assistance Program Scholarship.

Students with pending Pell grants would have to meet with Ray Basa, director of the Fnancial Aid Office, to determine if they are eligible for the grant.

“We need to have an estimate amount to know what to charge under. If the student wishes to use their EAP, what we’ll do is look at the list [from the scholarship office]. They can charge under their Pell or scholarship,” said Benavente.

Students are required to bring a copy of their EAP Scholarship award letter to charge books under the CNMI Scholarship.

“They will have to present their student ID, passport, or driver’s licenses and school registration form each time they charge,” said Benavente.

The bookstore is limited in the supplies it can release on a charge basis due to the Pell grant reimbursement status of the college. According to Benavente, with assistance from the college’s finance department, the bookstore received funds for a majority of the books that arrived on Wednesday.

“We managed to get majority of the books as of [Wednesday] so we are looking good. I can’t say that we have a 100 percent of the books here, but we have worked with the finance office to help purchase the required books for the bookstore. Without Raaj [finance director] and my staff this would have not happen,” said Benavente.

The bookstore has tentatively set the deadline for charging books and supplies under the Pell grant on Sept. 30. Benavente said that all returns or charges should be made by Sept. 30. For returns, students must present their receipts and books must be in good condition. (Cassie DLG Fejeran)