HESC Offers Money Saving Tips for Buying College Textbooks

ALBANY, NY (06/29/2010)(readMedia)-- Students heading to college this fall may find it easier to shop and compare pricing for textbooks thanks to a federal law that kicks in on July 1 requiring colleges and universities to list required books for courses upon registration.

The law, included as part of the federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, requires publishers to provide faculty with details about their selected books, including information about previous editions, any substantial revisions and alternative formats. In turn, colleges are required to list or provide a link to book information including the ISBN and retail pricing on their Internet course schedules. Printed schedules must explain how students can look up the information on the Internet.

The New York Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), the state's financial aid agency that helps people pay for college, reminds college students to comparison shop early for the best prices on textbooks.

"Textbooks are a significant part of college costs," said Elsa Magee, acting president of HESC. "A report revealed the average college student spends $1,000 a year on books, so it's imperative for students to use all available resources to save money on this expense."

Here are a few tips to help save money on this year's books.

Shop Early

Get the book list as soon as you can and note the ISBN (the book's unique identifying number) and the edition required by the professor. Some editions may have only minor changes; this information will help you shop for the best price for the appropriate editions. Campus bookstores often have used books available at reduced prices, but supplies dwindle as the start of classes gets closer. Some college towns have independent bookstores near campus that carry used textbooks, so check them out, too.

Consider Online Shopping

Most of the large online booksellers carry new and used textbooks at competitive prices that could save you money over purchases made at a traditional bricks-and-mortar store. Remember to add in any shipping costs when doing comparison shopping and be sure to give yourself enough time to receive your shipment before classes start.

Textbook Rentals

Renting books online can save hundreds of dollars over the cost of purchasing and may be a good idea if you don't plan to keep the book after the end of the class. Online companies such as Chegg, Campus Book Rentals, BookRenter and others promise savings up to 90 percent over the retail cost of books. Be sure to understand the terms and conditions of the rental agreement: some companies allow limited highlighting, some pay for shipping, and each may have different return policies.

Campus bookstores are also getting into the book rental business. The Follett Higher Education Group, which operates many campus bookstores in New York State, is now offering a new Rent-A-Text program for students. Rent-A-Text does allow note taking and highlighting in books and offers the option of converting the rental to a standard sale. Returning books is also faster – simply return to the campus bookstore. There are 40 campus bookstores participating statewide; contact your college bookstore to see if they are.

You can also lower your textbook costs by checking websites like CraigsList, EBay and Freecycle, or purchasing books directly from other students. Having the book list early and doing a little comparison shopping before the start of classes can reap big rewards and savings on college textbooks this term.

About HESC: HESC is the State's student financial aid agency, helping people pay for college by providing more grant and scholarship awards than any other state in the nation. By administering 19 student financial aid programs, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs), a highly successful College Savings program, and offering guidance to students, families and counselors, HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year. In 2008-09, HESC helped nearly 600,000 students achieve their dream of attending college by providing $4.6 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees, including $813 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to more than 375,000 students.

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