If you are considering taking out a school loan to pay for your college textbooks – think again. While college textbooks put a whole new price tag on books, you don’t necessarily have to run straight to the bank when you see your bookstore bill. Instead, here are a few ideas that can help keep money in your pocket.
Shop Online
There are lots of great Web sites where students can buy and sell their used textbooks. eBay and Amazon are two good examples. Students can find deals on books that range up to 80 percent off the original price.
Search Bulletins
Most colleges have bulletin boards up all across campus. Check these boards for used books. You can find students selling their old textbooks and looking for your used ones. If you have textbooks to sell, take a minute and post your ad as well. You may be able to sell your textbooks and use the money to pay for the ones you need.
Off-Campus Bookstore
If you don’t want a used textbook, at the very least you should check out an off-campus bookstore and compare prices. College bookstores can run a little more expensive then the off-campus stores. You may not be able to find the books you need right there on the shelf, but the store can order them for you. Also keep in mind that you can purchase new books online at a discounted price.
Find a Book Buddy
If you are going to school with a close friend (or a spouse) and you have a lot of the same classes, you can split the cost of textbooks for one and share the books. If you really want to save money, you can split costs on used textbooks.
If even after taking these money-saving tips into consideration, you still need a school loan to help pay for books, be sure to shop for a loan with low interest rates and fees. To learn more about finding a school loan, begin learning and comparing lenders on our student loans guide homepage.
Shop Online
There are lots of great Web sites where students can buy and sell their used textbooks. eBay and Amazon are two good examples. Students can find deals on books that range up to 80 percent off the original price.
Search Bulletins
Most colleges have bulletin boards up all across campus. Check these boards for used books. You can find students selling their old textbooks and looking for your used ones. If you have textbooks to sell, take a minute and post your ad as well. You may be able to sell your textbooks and use the money to pay for the ones you need.
Off-Campus Bookstore
If you don’t want a used textbook, at the very least you should check out an off-campus bookstore and compare prices. College bookstores can run a little more expensive then the off-campus stores. You may not be able to find the books you need right there on the shelf, but the store can order them for you. Also keep in mind that you can purchase new books online at a discounted price.
Find a Book Buddy
If you are going to school with a close friend (or a spouse) and you have a lot of the same classes, you can split the cost of textbooks for one and share the books. If you really want to save money, you can split costs on used textbooks.
If even after taking these money-saving tips into consideration, you still need a school loan to help pay for books, be sure to shop for a loan with low interest rates and fees. To learn more about finding a school loan, begin learning and comparing lenders on our student loans guide homepage.
