Paying for College Textbooks: ACFA-Cashflow Guide
Everyone is aware that college costs a lot of money. However, college textbooks are an additional necessary college expense that will deplete your money account in addition to tuition.
The College Board estimates that the annual cost of textbooks and other course materials is over $1,200. Student budgets may be strained to the limit by the cost of books, which can cost thousands of dollars each year.
It is a good thing that you have a wide range of funding choices available to cover the cost of your textbooks. Even if you can’t afford college textbooks, there are methods to acquire them for free.
College Book Loans for Students
If you’re using a student loan to pay for textbooks.
Government-Insured Loans
If you haven’t already maxed out your federal student loans, you should utilize them first. Many of these loans are available at low-interest rates with attractive payback conditions; in some instances, the interest may be paid by the government while you’re enrolled in deferral programs.
Filling out the FAFSA is the first step in obtaining a federal student loan.
Private Student Loans
Consider private student loans if you’ve exhausted your options with federal loans or have over your borrowing limit.
Banks and other lenders provide these, but you’ll need a cosigner or a high credit score to qualify (though there is a loan within a day without a cosigner available).
How to Obtain Free Textbooks for College
Many scholarships and grants are available to assist students in paying for their college textbooks because of the high cost. You should apply as soon as possible since financing is limited and approval is very competitive. You’ll have a better chance of being accepted.
Scholarships & Grants for Textbooks in College
The following are examples of textbook awards and scholarships:
- We’re Here to Help You Read: Students who are 16 and older may apply for a one-time book prize of $100 to $1,000 each semester. If you’re interested in applying, you’ll need to submit your materials no later than the 15th of July for the fall semester and the 15th of December for the winter semester.
- Carl A. Scott Book Memorial Fund Students pursuing a degree in social work who have shown a dedication to social justice may be eligible for this award. Two $500 scholarships are available to students with a 3.0 GPA or above who meet the eligibility requirements. Applicants must be African American, Native American, Asian American, Mexican American, or Puerto Rican to be eligible for the Council on Social Work Education Award.
Additional textbook grants and scholarships may be available via your state’s Department of Education or your school’s financial assistance office. Use this guide to locate free college textbooks solely available to individuals in your area or at the university you’ve selected.
Save on College Textbooks in Other Ways As Well
Even whether you’re paying for college textbooks with a grant, a scholarship, a student loan, or your cash, you’ll save money if you can. Try these strategies if you want to avoid paying the total price for college textbooks this semester.
- You may borrow books: You may save a lot of money by renting books from sites like Chegg.com rather than buying them. If you plan to use the book for one semester, this is the best option.
- Even if your professor doesn’t need the most current edition or if your textbook was published many years ago, purchasing secondhand textbooks may save you money. You may need to resale your used books to another student after the semester for a lower price than you would pay for new ones.
- Purchasing electronic books is an excellent way to save money. Several textbooks can be downloaded on your Kindle or tablet so that you may read them while on the go. It’s not ideal for reference books, but it’s a good alternative for novels you want to read from beginning to end. This alternative may save you money and reduce your weight to lug around on campus. The negative is that you can’t return the books after reading them.
- Talk about this with a fellow student: Consider dividing the cost of a textbook with a student who attends a different lecture period if your course is offered several times. Ensure that a method can be devised to ensure that you and your partner have enough access to the book. You don’t want to put off studying for a huge exam just to find out that the student you’re sharing with also needs the reader to cram at the last minute, as you did.
College textbooks are expensive, but there are several ways to save money on them.
As you can see, there are many ways to cut the cost of your college textbooks. Grants and scholarships may also help you pay for college textbooks.
Don’t worry if you have to spend part of your student assistance to cover the cost of textbooks; this is an acceptable use of federal and private loan monies.
