Don't Break the Bank When Buying Textbooks

(Patch.com)- College students are not immune to the economic downturn, and many who work part-time jobs or are paying their own way through school can hardly afford to spend more than a thousand dollars a year buying textbooks.

Here at Norristown Patch, we empathize. We were all college students ourselves, once. (Insert Ramen Noodles joke here.)

So before you head to the campus bookstore and plunk down your life savings for books that will be worth 19 percent of their current value in just four months, check out these suggestions for finding textbook deals and discounts.

Check the edition

Check with your professor to see if he or she requires a particular edition. Many textbooks are reprinted every year or so, with only slight modifications or updates (such as cover art). You can save a bundle by purchasing an older edition, but only if it will be compatible in your class. Read more here…

Rising Costs Force Students To Skimp On Textbooks

(Huffington Post)- As the cost of textbooks continues to rise, many college students are choosing to skimp on textbooks to save money.

Seven out of 10 undergraduates surveyed at 13 college campuses said they had not purchased one or more textbooks because the cost was too high, according to a new survey released Thursday by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The Government Accountability Office has estimated that textbooks cost a quarter the average tuition for state universities and three-fourths the average tuition at community colleges.

The U.S. PIRG analysis also found the price of textbooks has risen 22 percent over the past four years-- a much faster rate than overall inflation. The rising prices come as student debt has soared record levels -- exceeding total credit card debt in 2010. Read more here…

The answer to the high cost of textbooks?

(Rebecca Dika)- The price of textbooks has risen significantly in recent years, and university students. and their parents have felt it in the pocketbook.

Catherine, a third-year business student at the University of Alberta, estimates she spent approximately $1,000 on textbooks last year.

Though post-secondary institutions are cognizant of oft-lofty prices and look to strategically manage those by ordering early or purchasing older versions, there's no getting around the pricetag.

Or is there?

Many students are opting for digital versions. Take the Apple iPad, and the argument materials can be downloaded off the Web thereby saving some much needed dollars. Read more here…

UC Davis, CSUS bookstores selling more digital textbooks

(Cathy Locke)- Traditional textbooks, new and used, continue to dominate sales at college bookstores, but industry representatives say book rentals and digital books are making inroads as students grapple with the rising costs of a higher education.

As a percentage of the market, digital book sales and rentals remain in the single digits, said Elio DiStaola, director of campus relations for Follett Higher Education Group, which operates the Hornet Bookstore at California State University, Sacramento.

But DiStaola looks for that to increase as digital books offer more interactive features. Read more here…

11 Intelligent Ways To Save on Textbooks Without The Bookstore

(Citizen Economists)- Textbook prices tend to rise at four times the rate of inflation for an average of $900 per year. It doesn’t take a college education to figure out there are alternatives to traditional outlets, but incoming freshmen don’t always know the ropes. Here are 11 ways to save this fall — none of which include shopping at the college bookstore.

1. WAIT UNTIL AFTER YOU’VE SEEN THE SYLLABUS
Professors must submit their textbook lists far in advance of the next semester, which means they may never require you even open the book. Talk with your professor in the first few days to determine whether it’s worth shelling out cash for something that may become a paperweight. Read more here…

College Stores: The One-Stop-Shop

(PR Newswire)- College students looking for a place where they can buy textbooks and toiletries, plan their spring break, and try out yoga with their friends should investigate the options at their local college stores.  

College stores are so much more than a place to buy textbooks.  Many offer a variety of merchandise and products including, clothing, school supplies, leisure reading, dorm materials, exercise equipment, food, and drinks. Read more here…

Kindle launches textbook rentals

(SheKnows.com)- Last week, Amazon.com launched its hottest new e-book product with its Kindle textbook rental service -- college students can now rent digital versions of the textbooks they need for up to 80 percent off the retail price. Sounds great, right? Check out the details on the latest way college students are using technology in their education. Read more here…