The First Year Startup Grants are created to aid students in their college experience and help to cover expenses associated with necessary school items, including but not limited to, school supplies, residential hall supplies, and winter clothing.

If your student is receiving the First Year Startup Grant, we strongly encourage them to enroll in direct deposit with Student Accounting through WebSTAC. This is the fastest way to receive funds!

If your student prefers to receive their startup grant funds by check, they can do so by picking up their check from Student Financial Services when they arrive on campus in August.

The Campus Store, located in Mallinckrodt Center, is the main store on the Danforth Campus.

What they carry:

• Officially licensed university apparel.
• Academic prices on Apple and Dell products for WashU students.
• This summer, buy a qualified Mac and get 3rd Gen AirPods for free.
• This summer, buy a qualified iPad and get an Apple Pencil 2nd Gen for free.
• Receive a $100 rebate with purchase of a Dell PC $499+.
• For pre-order information for Missouri's tax-free weekend (August 4 - 6, 2023), and a price list, contact the Campus Store tech team.
• Many options for textbook purchasing, including digital books, used course books, and Rent-a-Text.
• And much more!

Repair Services:

• In-Store Repairs for all Mac, iPad, AirPods, Apple Pencil, and more (excluding iPhones).
• In-Store Repairs for all Dell Model Laptops.

Bear Necessities is the non-profit general merchandise store located on the South 40 among the residential colleges. They are associated with the Women's Society of Washington University and all proceeds go towards scholarships and student projects. 



What they carry:

• Exclusive officially licensed university apparel.
• Health and beauty aids.
• School and residential rooms supplies.
• Gifts, souvenirs, and diploma frames.
• Special orders for cakes, cupcakes, care packages, and balloons.

The Student Enterprise Program (StEP), operated by the Skandalaris Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, provides students with the unique opportunity to own and operate their own businesses on campus. Student owners augment the business and entrepreneurial skills they learn in the classroom with real-world experience and responsibility -- all while serving the WashU community.

Check out the StEP summer mailer for exclusive offers from student businesses that are here to help you hit the ground running at WashU!

The University Libraries have access to over 2 billion print book titles through their catalogs, in addition to 2 million eBooks in their collections.

Encourage your student to consider the following tips to minimize textbook costs:

1. Review the Textbook Ready checklist.
2. Review the Textbook Affordability Resource Guide. 
3. Check if their book is listed in the University Libraries' course reserves system.
4. Ask a librarian for help!

For additional information, have your student contact subject librarians Cheryl Holland or Clara McLeod.