How To Pay for College Textbooks: 7 Affordable Options

Textbooks are a necessary part of college, but they can still add a hefty expense on top of tuition. In the 2023-24 school year, full-time undergraduate students spent an average of $340 on course materials, including hardback, online, and rented books, according to the College Board.

While that amount may seem small compared to tuition, it can still put pressure on students and their families. The good news is that there are several ways to cut costs. From financial aid and textbook grants to rental programs and online options, you don’t always have to pay full price.

Here are seven affordable ways to pay for college textbooks.

Current private student loan rates

How much do college textbooks cost?

Textbook prices have risen at nearly three times the rate of inflation over the last five decades, according to data from My eLearning World, a resource on online education. Full-time undergraduate students spend an average of $340 on course materials per year, including textbooks, according to the College Board.

Even though textbook prices have soared, students are actually spending less. The Association of American Publishers’ “Trends in Student Spending on Course Materials” report found that spending on textbooks and course materials dropped by more than 45% in the last decade. A big reason for this decline is the rise of new formats, such as online texts and assistance programs.

“Colleges typically include the estimated cost of books in the published cost of attendance figures, but that can represent buying or renting textbooks,” says Jack Wang, wealth adviser and host of the Smart College Buyer podcast. 

“If a family wants more specifics, they may have to reach out to the individual academic departments for details, as books and the availability of digital access can vary significantly from class to class.”

Because costs vary so much, it can be difficult to plan ahead. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep textbook expenses under control.

Use federal financial aid

Most students qualify for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After your financial aid award is applied to tuition, mandatory fees, and housing, any leftover funds can generally be used for other education costs, including textbooks and supplies. 

Schools that participate in the federal aid program must give students a way to access books and supplies by the first week of each term. They’re also required to refund any remaining aid within 14 days, unless you choose to apply the balance to future charges.

Apply for textbook-specific grants and scholarships

Some schools and states offer grants or scholarships designed specifically to help with textbook costs. For example, the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies and the University of Kansas provide textbook grants that award eligible students a $200 bookstore voucher. Check with your school’s financial aid office to see if similar programs are available.

Certain private scholarships also include textbook stipends, giving recipients extra funds to cover course materials. You can start your scholarship search on platforms like Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, or the College Board’s Scholarship Search.

Rent textbooks instead of buying

For many classes — especially general education courses — you won’t need to keep the textbook once the course is over. Renting can be a cheaper option than buying, even compared to used books. For example, at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, rental textbooks cost 45% less than new ones, compared to just a 25% discount for used copies.

You can usually rent from your campus bookstore or third-party sites like Chegg. Rental agreements outline when and where books must be returned to avoid late fees or penalties. Typically, rentals last for the length of the term and are returned to the bookstore or another designated location. 

“Every student should contact the college they plan to attend to inquire about rental, used texts, etc.,” says Kevin Ladd, chief operating officer and co-creator of Scholarships.com. “I know a person who literally used the school printer and printed an entire book so they wouldn't have to purchase it.”

Buy used or previous editions

Campus bookstores often sell used textbooks and, in some cases, older editions at a discount. Previous editions are usually only one version behind the latest release and may differ only in formatting or minor updates.

According to Oklahoma State University, students can save about 25% on textbook costs by buying used. You can also find affordable options through platforms like Amazon, BookScouter, and CampusBooks. Just be sure to check with your professor before purchasing an older edition to make sure it’s acceptable for the course.

“There are times where students are required to buy the latest edition, or a book specific to a course or professor that is only available new,” says Wang. “Those instances can raise the cost.”

Use library or digital copies

Campus libraries often keep a limited number of textbooks on reserve in both physical and digital formats. Unlike rentals, library loans are usually short-term, so some students make copies of chapters as needed to save money.

“You may be allowed to use the school library to access free or more affordable options and/or printer access,” says Ladd. “Typically, you will be limited to the number of pages you are allowed to print, but if you have a classmate who isn't using their printer credits, you may consider asking them to use their Student ID to print more if you run out of credits.”

You may also be able to get free or low-cost materials through PDFs shared by your professor, e-textbooks, or open educational resources, which are books that are either in the public domain or published under an open license.

Ask about inclusive access programs

Some publishers work with colleges to give students automatic digital access to course materials for a flat fee. For example, Pearson partners with more than 980 schools to provide inclusive access programs.

These programs are usually much cheaper than buying each textbook separately. For example, at the University of California, Davis, undergraduates can pay $169 per quarter for unlimited digital access to assigned textbooks.

If you find more affordable student materials elsewhere, many programs let you opt out.

Use private student loan funds

If you’ve already used up textbook grants, scholarships, and federal aid for the term, private student loans can help fill the gap. These loans let you borrow up to the total cost of attendance at your school, which includes expenses like textbooks and course materials.

Because student loans must be repaid with interest, they should often be a last resort rather than your first choice for covering textbook costs. If you need to borrow, prioritize federal loans before turning to private lenders.