<p>Hey everyone, i’m currently lost about how to get books. I’m an incoming freshman and my block schedule is all good but I don’t know where to look to find out what books are used in those classes. And what is the best(cheapeast really) way to get books using financial aid?</p>
<p>I would recommend checking the El Corral Bookstore website (Books and Courseware tab): [Shop</a> Courseware Step 1, Select Term - El Corral Bookstore - Cal Poly](<a href=“efollett”>efollett). Just input the Dept, Course, and Section # of your classes and you should see a listing of required and suggested textbooks/materials, including the cost to buy new/used. Some courses do not required any textbooks, and not all courses were listed, but it’s a good start. We have found the prices at El Corral to be on the high side, and end up purchasing most of the textbooks elsewhere, e.g. Amazon. Good luck!</p>
<p>There are also pdf versions of books you may need <a href=“NCLF.net and NCLF Game Servers”>http://nclf.net/notlegal/textbooks/</a></p>
<p>Thank you guys, I checked out the book store link and 3 of my 4 classes were in there and it told me the books. When I can’t find a class on that site does that mean that class has no book? Just want to confirm.</p>
<p>And I hear a lot of people talking about amazon, but can I use financial aid on amazon? Can I use financial aid at the bookstore?</p>
<p>What about renting books from the book store, is that a good deal?</p>
<p>And I checked the PDF files but none of the books I need are in there, thank you though, it’s interestiong to see, and I may need some of them later</p>
<p>Thanks again, this site is very helpful</p>
<p>There may not be required books for certain courses, although sometimes professors just don’t register with El Corral. Usually I wait until the syllabus is handed out to buy books because the teacher will tell you how necessary the book will be. If money is tight, and if the book is only desired, it may be a better decision to share or just not buy the book. Most of the time, a copy of the book will be available at the course reserves desk at the library so you can check them out for a few hours. </p>
<p>As far as financial aid, your tuition will be taken from your financial aid distribution and the rest will be deposited to your checking account (provided you set up direct deposit). I usually get the money in my account the thursday or friday before the start of a quarter. You are free too spend it however you see fit and can blow it all on beer or video games for all they know (don’t do that).</p>
<p>I noticed that if you buy a previous edition, it is waaay cheaper. Can we just do that instead or is the professors picky about the readings?</p>
<p>Ok thanks a bunch rocketmustang, I was under the impression I needed the books before classes started so now you just relieved some stress, and I didn’t know how financial aid worked but now it makes sense, thanks for your help</p>
<p>Question0 - It totally depends on the class and teacher. Some classes you may be using the book just for information, and the old edition will usually be fine. As an engineer, many of my classes had homework problems assigned out of the book and so you needed THAT specific edition. I would specifically ask the teacher what they thought on the first day if you wanted to use an earlier edition.</p>
<p>Understand some Professors who actually wrote the book (don’t know how common that is at SLO, but it was not uncommon at UCLA) have an inherent conflict of interest in recommending which edition of a book is really necessary. With that caveat, yeah, ask the Professor, then ask some sophomores you meet which book they used.</p>
<p>My DD had a nutrition class spring qtr that she was able to use the prior edition. She just emailed the professor and asked.</p>
<p>Hey DunninLA are you on the UCS softball forum? DD plays at Poly.</p>
<p>Is there ever a problem with availability in the el corral bookstore? For example how likely is it that there will be used copies of books? And how likely is it there will be rentals available for popular books?</p>