I-Promise Exclusives

Getting Your Textbooks and School Supplies

We’ve teamed up with the Illini Union Bookstore to offer Pay-It-Later--a program available exclusively to Illinois Promise scholars!

Students are required to purchase their textbooks and other course materials (things like calculators, school supplies, etc.) but, sometimes, students arrive on campus without the immediate funds to buy these items. That’s why Pay-It-Later allows Illinois Promise Scholars to purchase up to $600 of books and supplies, each semester, with payment due later in the term.  This means that Illinois Promise Scholars can get the books and materials they need, even if they don’t have the money readily available. 

Pay-It-Later FAQs
Yes

Pay-It-Later is ONLY available at the Illini Union Bookstore and cannot be used with any other retailer.

At this time, in compliance with campus safety guidelines, the Illini Union Bookstore (IUB) is now only accepting online orders for course materials. The great news is that if you order from IUB you have a couple of payment options as well as a couple of ways to get your books and supplies.

Payment:

Option #1) Pay online with a credit or debit card at the point of order
Option #2) On the Payment Info page of the online order Checkout process, choose Illinois Promise - with this selection, no payment will be collected at the time of purchase but you will be responsible for paying for the items by the deadline (see below).

Pickup/Delivery Options:

Option #1) Delivery: have your order shipped directly to your residence (shipping charges apply)
Option #2) Pick up your items in person at the Illini Union Bookstore 

Questions?  Contact Jim Trail (jmtrail@illinois.edu), Operations Manager, Illini Union Bookstore

It’s that easy!

During the fall semester, payment is typically due no later than the Friday before the Fall Break begins.  For spring semesters, the payment is typically due the Friday before Spring Break.  The payment due dates will be specified on the agreement you sign when picking up your books. 

If you miss paying your balance due by the deadline, you could have a hold placed on your student account.  This hold will prevent you from enrolling in classes, dropping a course, or making other changes to your schedule.

Yes!  Many I-Promise scholars pay their balance with monies from a financial aid refund, funds earned from a federal work study job, or other part-time employment.  All payments made on or before the stated deadline should be made directly to the Illini Union Bookstore. 

There are so many reasons to purchase your items from the Illini Union Bookstore!  Here are just a few:

  1. The bookstore works directly with faculty to ensure that the books in stock are the exact ones you need (correct edition, ISBN, etc.).
  2. All profits from the Illini Union Bookstore go straight back into student programs and activities on campus!
  3. In some cases, you can rent required textbooks instead of purchasing them outright. 
  4. By shopping at the Illini Union Bookstore, you help support student employment on campus—in fact, many Illinois Promise scholars work at the bookstore during the busiest times of the year!

 

Feel free to reach out to your Promise Coach:

Kristine McCoskey, Director, Scholar Support Programs: mccoske1@illinois.edu

-OR-

Jim Trail, Operations Manager, Illini Union Bookstore: jmtrail@illinois.edu