When I attended college, financial aid did not cover books. I always purchased used books and often the book required was available at the university library - except that you couldn't take the book out and there was a 2 hr time limit. It was a pain but I did that one term when I was totally out of cash. I also borrowed from classmates whenever possible. One of my roomates liked to go out every weekend and party... so while she was out.. I "borrowed" her book. (luckily we were taking the same course but not in the same class).

I was eventually able to obtain guarenteed student loans and I used that $$ to put aside for books each term. The cost for books increases every year and the upper class books are not always available used because that is when folks start keeping books rather than selling back to the campus book store.

Sorry you were caught unawares. Now you know to put away for books. Sometimes I would get book vouchers for birthday & x-mas gifts from relatives - that helped in that if they had given me cash I might have been tempted to spend that in some other way besides books.

Hang in there - this is a test of your resourcefulness !!