[desirae]

Yesterday I started my first class. I was so happy and thrilled, then came the bad news, I need 77 dollars for just the one text book. I still have another class yet to attend, and it will need a book as well.
I receive financial aid. I thought that financial aid covered books. I had no idea I would end up pulling the pennies off my refrigerator to pay for books. I don't understand.
Does anybody know anything about financial aid and books?
There's nobody else I can ask...I seem to be going in circles with the school. I can't get a straight answer from anybody.
It's so frustrating...I don't know what I'll do if it comes down to paying for books, because to be honest I don't have the funds.
I hope this won't result in me failing in the one thing I ever wanted to do.

[Rhapsody]

Dear Desirae,

Have you tried talking to the enrollment / financial aid counselor at the school - they should be able to answer all your question, you just have to make the appointment.
And most of the local colleges that I have been contacting lately in my home town still offer financial aid to cover the classes , but the student is responsible for all books and any extra materials needed for the class..... SORRY!

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[LMo]

a few ideas:
- try http://www.campusbooks.com, amazon.com, or ebay for your books; sometimes they have used ones. You need to know the ISBN of the book you need for the class
- get the previous version. The instructors don't like it when you do that, but the money you save is often worth the aggravation of having a chapter flipped around or some old statistics.

Good luck!

[Maven]

Yeah, when I went to college, Financial Aid didn't cover books and materials. You should also visit BN.com for new and used textbooks.

[desirae]

Thanks alot everybody, I appreciate your advice even if it wasn't what I wanted to here.
I guess I better start getting my funds together. ......oh well.....it happens.
Thanks
Desirae

[kimthecatlover]

I wonder if you are not covered for books because you are maybe not 'full time'(carrying a certain number of credits)because I got a book check as part of my financial aid package...and I am an EOF student...I would talk to your financial aid people and see if they can answer your question..also try to get info about your financial aid and exactly what it covers. Good luck in college!

[h0kie]

In the future, get extra money in loans (if you are getting loans) to cover books. Financial aid does not cover books and other expenses. Just tuition. Scholarships can cover everything.

Have you looked on Half.com - they usually have good deals.

[Peanuts]

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 !!