While American’s struggle in our currently weakened economy, the costs related to attending a U.S. college or university continues to rise.
College students and their parents have always struggled with the continually rising costs of attending Americans colleges and universities. Tuition costs, miscellaneous campus fees, supplies, transportation, student housing, and textbooks have all increased causing a heavy financial burden on all involved.
Ways to Save on Textbooks
The goal of our federal government is to make higher education affordable and accessible to those who seek it. There have been programs in place, such as federal and state student financial aid, that have assisted students in attaining their educational goals. In regard to textbooks, studies have found that from December 1986 to December 2004, the cost of college textbooks tripled. This amount was just a small percentage behind the increased cost of tuition. From the period between 1994 and 2010 the increase in costs was 4 times the rate of inflation.
In recent years, pilot programs across the nation have sprung up to find alternatives to textbook price gouging. A very successful pilot involves the renting of textbooks rather than buying. Numerous college campuses across the nation have started the textbook rental program and have been proven to be successful. An on-Line bookstore, such as Chegg.com , rents books for the length of the semester for a set fee. Included in this fee is the cost of return shipping when the class semester ends. The cost savings are substantial. By using Chegg.com the cost savings could be as much as 80%.
Another alternative is the possibility of obtaining books via the I-Pad or the Kindle, or any other e-book source. This is currently being tested, but the consensus thus far is that it needs further evaluations due to concerns that have arisen. If the problems are resolved, this would not only save American’s more money, it will also lighten the load on the backpack carrying student.
Yet another way to save on textbooks is to buy used books. College bookstores, websites such as Half-off.com, e-bay, or campus billboards and Craigslist, are other avenues to explore. But word of caution, when using any public advertising media such as Craigslist; extra diligence in ensuring safety must be used.
One Way They’ll Get You
Even with all of the resources previously mentioned, there is still a way that colleges or college professors have found, where the student is required to purchase a text book that was either specifically written by the teaching professor himself for that class, or can only be found at specific colleges .
The future of America lies in the hands of our upcoming generations. This generation is having greater difficulties in obtaining their education than previous generations. College expenses and tuition costs are astronomical; colleges are decreasing class offerings and laying off staff. This leaves our future leaders with the possibility of not being able to attain their educational goals, or may leave them saddled with so much debt that it may take a lifetime for them to repay. Parents have and will continue to assist their children as much as they can. They may delay retirement, place another mortgage on their home, sell their home, use up their savings and retirement pensions, and may still run short of money.
There is no real solution to this crisis. The cost of education will continue to rise, and so will college debt. But at least the rate of growth of that debt can be slowed by cost saving measures.
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