Every student at Grand Valley State University knows the cost of textbooks can sometimes reach outrageous amounts of money, money that sometimes isn’t readily available to all students.

In order to keep the cost of textbooks down, here are some tips:

1: Purchase used textbooks if possible

If your book doesn’t have a pesky online code needed for the class, buying a used book can sometimes cut your costs in half. The books might be a little worn, but overlooking the margin notes and random highlighting could be worth the amount of money you save.

2: Share the book with a friend/ classmate

If you have a class with a friend, split the cost of the textbook so you can share. If you don’t know anyone in the class, make some friends and I’m sure they would love the idea of cutting their cost of textbooks in half. Plus, you gained an automatic study buddy; that’s a win-win.

3: Compare the old edition of the book to the newest edition

If the editions aren’t different except a few minor tweaks, buying the older edition should surely save you some money. Double-check with your professor, but most are fine with the older editions of books. 

4: Rent your textbooks

Places like Brian’s Books, Amazon and Chegg offer deals for students to rent their textbooks instead of buying them. Depending on the book, renting can sometimes range from only $5- $10 a book. You won’t be able to sell them back to make money, but many times renting is still a cheaper option.

5: Sell your textbooks back

If you keep your textbooks in good shape, you may be able to get a decent amount of money back from the bookstore. If GVSU’s bookstore doesn’t accept them back, you can always sell them online on eBay or Craigslist for a discounted price. You won’t make all your money back, but there are a lot of people out there looking for better and cheaper options to buy their books.