Macomb Community College has been named a Models of Efficiency – Spring 2011 honoree by University Business Magazine for initiating a paperless, electronic system for its 12,000 financial aid and sponsored students to purchase books against their accounts.   Macomb was one of 12 colleges and universities named by the magazine in its national recognition program that honors new approaches to streamlining operations while delivering superior service.

The challenge to Macomb’s Business Office was to find an alternative to the traditional method, which consisted of generating and distributing 5,000 checks; arranging for stop payments and re-issuing checks for the 20 percent of these that were lost, stolen, misused or never cashed; and inputting paper receipts for purchases from the bookstore against each student’s account.   A collaboration between the college’s Business and Financial Aid offices resulted in identification of a solution that would electronically link information generated in their offices with the college bookstore. 

Macomb students now have immediate access to funds for books before the start of classes, no longer having to wait for the processing and mailing of checks.  Students can now access available bookstore funds electronically and have the charges immediately applied against their account using pending financial aid or sponsor funds. This has resulted in a doubling of financial aid student traffic at the campus bookstores in the two years since the process has been in place.  And, more than 100 staff hours per term have been freed up to help directly serve students before the start of the semester. 

About Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College (www.macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 48,000 students annually.  Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan.  The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.

Media Contact:
Tish Wirth
Communications & Community Relations
Macomb Community College
586.445.7560
wirthp@macomb.edu