The average college student spends an eye-watering $1,168 per year on textbooks and course materials. This number can be even higher for private university students.
For students on a budget, this can be a huge strain on top of already expensive tuition and room and board fees.
If there was a way to save money on textbooks, would you be interested?
Thankfully, there is. Renting textbooks is a fantastic way to save money each semester. So, how does renting textbooks work, and how can you get started? Read on to learn all about how it works, and how it can cut down on your expenses each year.
How Does Renting Textbooks Work? Is it Better Than Buying?
This is a question many college students ask themselves each year. It comes down to personal preference and budget.
If you buy your books, the cost is more expensive than renting. However, they are then yours to own, and you can mark them and keep them for reference after your course has ended. You may also be able to sell them after you’re done with them.
If you rent, the cost is much lower than buying, so you are saving money. Although the books aren’t yours to keep after the course finishes, some students may prefer the convenience of returning. This is especially true if the books aren’t essential to your major and future career.
There are many reasons why textbooks are so expensive, such as publisher costs, the need for regular updates in constantly changing fields such as the sciences or medicine, and the mark-up costs from campus bookstores. Although some college professors are turning to digital materials for their classes, renting books is still the best way to avoid paying high fees each year.
If you’re majoring in engineering, biochemistry, or media and communications, be aware that these studies have some of the most expensive textbooks. This makes renting an especially good option for these students.
How Do I Make Sure I’m Renting the Right Textbooks?
At the beginning of each new semester, your professor is likely to give you a course curriculum overview, which will include the names of the books and materials you’ll need for the semester.
The name of each book should also include the book’s ISBN number. This is a unique code for each book in print, and each edition, update, or version of the book will have its own number. Knowing the ISBN for the specific books you need makes it very easy to ensure you’re renting the correct book.
While it can be tempting to purchase older editions of books, rather than the edition recommended by your professor, this is best avoided. You could be missing out on important information contained in the newer issues.
Renting textbooks online is easy. Search for the books you need online via their ISBN. You can then compare costs and book conditions and then decide which one is best for you. Order online and the book is shipped directly to your door. It’s a quick and easy process that can be done from home, allowing you to avoid the long lines at the university bookshop.
Why Rent Textbooks?
There are lots of ways students can save money in college, but renting textbooks is one of the best.
There are many advantages to renting textbooks online over buying. The biggest, of course, is saving money. For example, a common calculus textbook, newest edition, retails for $299.95, but can be rented for around $20.00-$30.00. It’s easy to see how these savings could add up over four years of college.
Another advantage to renting is the convenience of returning the books after the course. Used textbooks are usually heavy and bulky, taking up unnecessary space in a small dorm room. Returning rented books once you’re done with them is much easier than stockpiling a bunch of unneeded books.
How to Protect Rented Textbooks
While the book is in your possession, look after it so it’s in good condition for future students. Although some renters might allow it, it is best not to mark or highlight, fold pages, or damage the book in any way, as there may be extra fees charged when returned if it’s not in good condition.
You might consider also covering the book with a textbook wrap or book cover- you can even make your own from a paper bag. This will help protect the book from normal wear and tear.
What Happens at the End of the Semester?
Simple- once the rental period for your books is up (which will generally be at the end of a semester), they can be returned. Most stores will include return shipping in the rental cost. At the end of the term, just print off the shipping label and easily and safely return the book.
Can I Make Money off My Old Books?
Selling textbooks can be a great way to recover some of the money you spend on purchasing them. Once sold, they can then be rented or sold on to other students, which allows them to save money as well.
You can easily sell your used textbooks online. Use a textbook comparison site to compare prices and work out which will offer you the most money for your book. Instead of cash, you can also often get store credit, which is useful to use to buy or rent textbooks for your next upcoming semester.
To get the highest possible price for your books, try to keep them in like-new condition and avoid highlighting or damaging them. Selling back old books is another great way to make some quick cash as a student.
Get Started
How does renting textbooks work? After reading the above, we hope you have a better understanding of the process.
Get started now to rent your books for the next semester, saving valuable time and money. College can be stressful, but renting textbooks doesn’t need to be.