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(From the Financial Literacy Blog) – As part of Maine’s supplemental budget, Maine’s community colleges are offering students up to two years of tuition-free enrollment through the Free College Scholarship program. This scholarship is available to those who graduated high school (or earned the equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a GED or Hi-SET) between the years of 2020 and 2023.
Applying for free tuition at one of Maine’s seven community colleges is easy. Students simply apply to attend the school. If accepted and they ultimately attend, the free tuition will be automatically applied. However, whether or not students take advantage of the Free College Scholarship, students may still need to pay for books, which can get quite expensive. To help defray the cost of course materials, here are seven ways to save money on college textbooks:
Buy Used Books
Used books are likely going to be cheaper than new books. In an attempt to recoup some of the money spent on textbooks, many college students will attempt to sell their books at the end of the semester. That means there are often a lot of used books to choose from—making it easy to find a good deal. People can look for book exchange groups on campus or check their campus’ bookstore, as there are often secondhand copies available for a lower price. However, to maximize savings, people should look online for sites that sell used textbooks, such as Amazon, Chegg, eCampus, and CampusBooks. While the on-campus bookstore is convenient, the prices may be a bit higher.
Buy Older Editions
Publishers frequently create new textbook editions, but for some subjects, the learning materials remain the same from year to year. Students can save money on their textbooks by purchasing an older edition—if it’s allowed. Students can reach out to their professor ahead of the semester and ask if an older edition will be okay. If it is, that may be a lot of savings for the student. Books that are several years older than the newest editions are likely to have a far lower selling price.
Rent Textbooks
Many bookstores now offer the option of renting instead of purchasing textbooks, which can lead to savings. However, it’s important for people to crunch the numbers before renting. How much are they saving by renting instead of buying? Would they be able to sell their book after buying it and save more that way? If someone doesn’t think they can, or simply doesn’t want to go through the hassle of selling their book, renting might be the way to go. When renting, people need to keep the book in good condition and avoid highlighting or taking notes within the book. Returning a book in poor condition may mean they need to pay fees or ultimately buy it.
Utilize the Library
A completely free option for finding textbooks is for students to check with their local or campus library. Some campus libraries own a few copies of popular textbooks that students may be able to check out. However, students should confirm with their professor that the book(s) in the library is/are acceptable to use. They may require a newer edition. And while free, the library can be inconvenient. The library might only let students access the book in the library itself, instead of allowing them to check it out. Also, due to limited books, it’s first come, first serve. If there are two copies of the textbook in the library and there are three people requesting the book at the same time, someone will be out of luck.
Share With a Classmate
Students can also share textbooks with other students taking the same class—splitting the cost of the book.
Apply for a Book Scholarship
Retailers like Barnes & Noble offer scholarships specifically for textbooks. Students can also find scholarships on scholarships.com, where they can search for those available in Maine.
College textbooks can be expensive but putting these tips into action can lead to some big savings. For more money-saving tips or to inquire about education loans, contact your local credit union.