It’s exhausting searching and scouring the internet for the right information when it comes to helping your student prepare for college. But what if you could use ONLY ONE RESOURCE and find everything you ever wanted to know about college prep? Wouldn’t that be amazing?
Here it is. I’ve done the research, examined the links and their resources, and compiled a list of 100+ college prep resources for you. (If you know of others, please leave them in the comments and I will add them to the list!)
My daughter loves books. Her joy of reading began in grade school and she still loves reading and collecting books. Books never get old and there are so many to choose from. If your student is into digital versions of books, there are many programs available as well.
I’ve done the research for you and each link has multiple suggestions for you and your student. I hope these books are helpful and will be great additions to your library.
It’s no secret that higher education in America is pricey. Tuition is on the rise, and debt is skyrocketing. With more students relying on loans to pay for school, the average borrower now graduates with more than $26,000 in debt.
We need to do more to solve this crisis. But in the meantime, one key way to bring down the overall cost of higher education is to cut down on the nickel-and-diming students are facing just to participate in class.
You see, along with covering tuition, many students struggle to pay for school supplies that are required to succeed. Two thirds even skip buying books in the first place, according to a report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund. And if they can’t pay those costs, their grades are sure to suffer.
Our analysis estimates $3 billion of student aid is spent on buying class materials. And with a handful of major textbook publishers controlling the marketplace, we can expect prices to continue to rise. This control allows them to hike up costs and lock out affordable alternatives by employing access codes (where students have to pay to submit homework) or by publishing frequent new editions.
Avoid paying high textbook prices
If you’re a student, there are several ways you can avoid paying exorbitant textbook costs. For one, you should consider the price tag on materials when registering. Find classes that don’t require books, have no-cost resources such as free open textbooks, or require low-cost (under $40) materials. Several states require price transparency at class registration, so this information is sometimes easily accessible. When possible, avoid class sections that require the use of access codes, which force you to pay additional fees to submit homework for courses.
For those classes where you cannot sidestep important materials, be aware of your college or university’s textbook policies. At some schools, publishers are allowed to automatically charge you for materials. Pay attention because you can usually opt out of these billing programs if you catch them quickly enough. This will allow you to seek out more affordable alternatives such as used books.
Seek affordable textbook alternatives
Oftentimes, more affordable alternatives are available. Your school’s library may have copies of required textbooks on reserve for free. Students have also created Facebook groups or other “for-sale” pages at many schools, and you can compare sites like Amazon to your institution’s bookstore to find the best deal. You should invest some time shopping around for the best deal if you want your own copy to keep. You can also consider a digital etext or a rental book from sites like Chegg. Before doing that, compare rental costs to how expensive the book would be if you were able to resell it for 50 percent of its value.
Finally, ask your professors to switch to open textbooks — which are available at either no cost online or for under $40 in print. They are written by professors, just like regular textbooks, but are published under an open copyright that makes them freely available to the public. By switching to open textbooks in introductory classes, your professors could save college students billions each year.
It’s also important to remember that textbooks aren’t the only financial threat facing students. Some debit cards marketed on campus come with exorbitant fees. And, expensive electronics can seriously ding your wallet. For other money-saving tips, including how to shop for cheaper, refurbished electronics, check out U.S. PIRG’s full back-to-school guides.
At the end of the day, for students to avoid the burden and distractions of these weighty costs, policies must be put in place to end these unnecessary expenses. But until further action is taken, these back-to-school tips are a surefire way for students to save hundreds of dollars.
Today’s guest post is from Make Higher Education Affordable campaign director Kaitlyn Vitez of U.S. PIRG, The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups. U.S. PIRG is a federation of independent, state-based, citizen-funded organizations that advocate for the public interest.
This post is sponsored by Barnes & Noble. All content and opinions expressed here are my own.
When my first child went to college, I almost died when I got the bill for her textbooks. Some of them cost close to $200, and the total cost for all her textbooks the first year was close to $1,500. I was not prepared for this added expense. At the time, students were forced to buy books from the bookstore without many other options available. Even used textbooks were pricey and some professors used new books that weren’t available used, but the times have certainly changed.
Students can now purchase new and used textbooks at huge discounts or rent them with flexible rental periods. Once they are done with the course, they can sell the books for cash and recoup some of the cost. With the help of Barnes & Noble’s textbook program, it’s a win-win for parents and students.
Below is a screenshot of an art history textbook. As you can see, when you click on the book’s title, you’re given three options: new, used, or rent. In addition, you have the option of purchasing the book in the marketplace from users who are also selling it.
New Textbooks
It’s a shock when your student’s professor decides to use a new textbook and you see the cost. New textbooks can be pricey, but Barnes & Noble has a large selection of new textbooks available. They offer low prices, so you can get the most for your money. Their textbooks are listed up to 30% off sticker price, plus they offer free shipping on all new textbook orders over $25. Check out their huge selection of new textbooks here.
Used Textbooks
Used textbooks are your best bargain when available, and Barnes & Noble sells only the highest quality used books. It’s just like purchasing a used car: you aren’t paying the high sticker prices, but you’re getting a high-quality book at a great price–some up to 90% off. You can search for used textbooks here.
Rented Textbooks
Why buy when you can rent? It makes sense, especially since the book will only be used for one semester. My daughter chose to save only the books that applied to her major and renting would have been an excellent option for those required courses that didn’t interest her. At Barnes & Noble, there are thousands of textbooks available to rent with flexible periods up to 130 days. Your student can extend the rental period or opt to purchase the book at any time. Once they are finished with their course, they can ship it back for free! Check out their selection of rentals here.
Selling Your Textbooks
Even if you must purchase a new textbook, you can sell it back if it’s in good condition to Barnes & Noble and recoup some of the cost. They provide prepaid shipping labels. For details on which books they will accept and what type of condition they need to be in, click here.
When it comes to paying for college, most parents plan for tuition, room and board. It’s added expenses like books that can put a strain on your budget. By using these available options, you should be able to cut textbook costs and use some of that money for more important things like a plane ticket for Parents’ Weekend!
Does your daughter call home in tears over the latest “crisis”, leaving you feeling helpless and concerned? Is your son confused about his major? When children leave for college, many parents feel uncertain about their shifting roles. By emphasizing the importance of being a mentor, “Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money-The Essential Parenting Guide to the College Years” shows that parents may have lost control over their college student, but they haven’t lost influence.
Brimming with humorous case examples and realistic dialogues, this comprehensive guide cover the fundamental college issues using a topical format using these suggestions: what you need to know, what’s going on, what to do, and what to avoid.
This book is great for current college parents and future college parents, and you could win it by entering this giveaway below:
I love books because, well, I just love books. They are some of my prized possessions. These college books are part of my collection because they are jam-packed with information about the college admissions process. Some of them are informational, and others help you relax and laugh during the process. Add these books for parents of college-bound students to your reading list. After all, who doesn’t like books?
1. College Bound and Gagged
Nancy takes the everyday aspects of the college admissions process and puts them into terms that parents can easily understand and relate to by using humor. And if that’s not enough, she sprinkles some of the best college admissions advice along the way by tapping into her own personal experiences and her network of college experts that she utilizes throughout the book.
2. POCSMom Survival Stories
Wendy David-Gaines, the author, is famous for exposing the cliches about college. After giving the cliche, she gives you the “POCS reality”. In her book, Wendy does this effectively by compiling actual parent stories. The stories (both from pre-POCS and POCS) are simple, light-hearted, often humorous and an easy read. But here’s the clincher–they provide parents with added insight into each individual situation.
3. How to Win Scholarships
The best part about Monica’s e-book is that it’s simple and easy to understand. If you follow her easy 10 step program, the scholarship process becomes doable for any parent and their student. You can sit back and hope that your student does all the work, or you can offer help and support by grabbing a copy of Monica’s book, reading it, and rolling up your sleeves.
4. Debt Free U
When Zac Bissonnette headed off to college, he had the funds to cover the tab. Bissonnette has seen the currently flawed system first hand. He’s a contrarian, and his book is packed with studies and statistics to back up his analysis. It’s a magical combination that college-bound students and their parents should read, even if there’s plenty of money set aside to pay the tuition tab. There’s no harm in learning ways to get the biggest bang for your buck and the best education available at the same time.
5. Why You’re Already a Leader
The author, Paul Hemphill, forces history to shout its powerful lessons about our least appreciated ability – leadership. A pre-teen, a parent, or a corporate exec doesn’t need to be trained for leadership because it’s already alive and pumping in your DNA. The proof is all here. Here’s the bonus feauture: it uses history as a motivational tool. Instead of stats and facts, you get more than 200 life-lessons from Gettysburg to help you succeed in any endeavor. What’s the number one quality admissions officers look for in a candidate for admission? Leadership!
Used Textbooks
