// GET "BOOK SMART"!
The average student will spend between $750 and $900 a year on books and supplies, making this the major education cost after tuition and residence. Here are seven ways you can cut these costs:
- Re-use. Find the location of the used textbook store on campus, and check the bulletin boards to buy direct from other students.
- Browse. Check online bookstores for new and used textbooks.
- Borrow. Hit the library for a book you need. Do it early as other students may get it first, or the instructor may put a hold on those books.
- Share. Have a friend in the course? Consider splitting the cost by sharing books.
- Subscribe. Some publishers offer online subscriptions or downloads (180 days of internet or download access to a title), for about half the price of print. Visit coursesmart.com.
- Download. You may find literary or science classics on Project Gutenberg and literature at Bartleby, available to download for free.
- Get credit. When you file your income tax, you can claim the textbook credit to help recover some of your costs. The credit is based on $65 for each month you're in school full time (no receipts are required).