Cannot afford my textbooks right now.

There seems to be a trend toward using these online access codes, which are quite expensive, since they can only be used once , and cannot be purchased “used” or be rented, as typical textbooks can.

The physical books that accompany my current student’s access code books are usually loose leaf editions that cost $15- $20, so there is little opportunity to save anything on a used book.

I think professors like using them, because homework and quizzes are graded by the software as they are completed, reducing time spent grading assignments, and inputting grades. While I understand that using the access codes/ online versions is time saving for many teachers, the costs are extremely burdensome for students.

These access code editions seem to be growing in use, much to the delight of publishers, who no doubt have long lamented the sale of used/older editions of textbooks.

At the smaller LAC my 2 older Ds attended, the online access editions were only required during the last couple of years by a professor or 2. The professors at this college tried to specify older editions of text books, whenever possible, to keep book costs down.

My youngest D is a rising junior at a large public U, and we typically need to purchase 3 or 4 access codes each semester. It gets crazy expensive! Her textbook costs have been 3-4 times what we paid for her sisters, because we have not been able to buy used or rent very often.

If it turns out that these access codes will be used frequently at your CC, it may make sense to borrow some of your federal loans to help cover costs. Or plan on working part time/ or work a few extra hours if already working to help cover book costs down the road.

I agree with @mamag2855 You will have to plan to cover the cost of books…this will happen every semester.

The access code is a sucky situation, since they are all expensive no matter if you get it from your college’s bookstore or not, but it is required to purchase if you will be using it in the class (I would ask your teacher before buying, like everyone else said). The books I would say just depends- I haven’t bought many of my books recently but I have been taking online classes and have found copies of the textbook just by searching online and also at openlibrary. Most of the copies available are older editions but in my experience, they have almost the exact same material, just different page numbers.

Definitely take care of the tuition first so you are not dropped. Also, some of the programs used with the access codes offer a free trial period.

Good luck!

What have you decided to do?

On one hand, required textbooks are very important. A copy from the school library is long gone. Look at the chapter and topic headings of the required text. Faculty select textbooks that are meaningful to them. Whether the required book is uniquely fabulous is quite different. Think differences among chevy, ford, Cadillac trucks. Find a textbook that is comparable, but reads well to you. Unless the earlier version is an antique, that seems like a good choice and could be substantially cheaper.

A copy in the library may be “for reference” so you can look at it but not check it out.