Log on to your student account. All distance learners have an online account to participate in class and handle your student resources.
Locate the link on your student website that takes you to the college bookstore. The link is typically located on the school's homepage.
Click on the bookstore link to see if your bookstore offers a book line of credit. Many colleges with distance learning offer credit for students who receive financial aid. If your Pell grant exceeds the amount of your tuition you can use the excess to purchase books.
Call the bookstore to inquire how you go about using your book line of credit. Typically, the bookstore provides you with a statement that you must write down word for word stating that you authorize the bookstore to charge your financial aid for the books you are purchasing. Be ready with your student number, mailing address, phone number, a printout of your class schedule and a copy of your driver's license or state identification card. Sign the statement and fax it, your class schedule and a copy of your identification to the number provided to you by the bookstore. Bookstore employees will likely use your class schedule to determine which books you need, mail the books to you and debit the charge from your outstanding financial aid, which includes your Pell grant.