By Michele Walsky | Observer Contributor
Photo by Tom Hill Jr.
Weighed down by classes and a heavy backpack, the last thing students need is to collapse under the cost of books too. However, the financial aid office offered several solutions to lighten the load, including decoding bookstore lingo, an electronic book program, book vouchers and scholarships.
According to Kelly Morrissey, Director of Financial Aid, the first option students take is usually Federal funds. But there’s a hidden gem of scholarships under the Award Spring icon. It is easy to apply on Mount Wachusett Community College’s iConnect page under Apps, a little known resource awaits. According to Morrissey, rewards are based on grade point averages, degree fields and other merits, not income, and the money can be used for books. Applications are open from January through May to accommodate the following school year.
Morrissey encourages students to take a look at their syllabus to see what is actually required.
“Students need to be good consumers,” Morrissey said. “They should know what they really need to purchase in the bookstore.”
According to Morrissey, knowing the difference between the bookstore’s recommended and required materials can save students money. She said, professors require the books they are going to use. A syllabus states this information and tells the students what materials, if any, are required.
Recommendations are only the bookstore’s opinion, she stated, urging students to use their personal preference to judge if extra supplies will help.
“They need to understand it’s not required,” she said.
Another option she advocated is buying used editions (per professor approval) and renting books, either at the campus bookstore or online. Sites such as Half.com, amazon.com, chegg.com, and others offer used, new, and rental books for much less. Campusbooks.com rounds up the best deals like a travel site by typing the book’s ISBN number.
Each semester, leftover financial aid funds are cashed in at the bookstore via student ID as book vouchers, and are available to use two weeks before and two weeks after a semester begins, she explained. Any unused amount is refunded to the student.
If aid is not enough to cover books, students can apply for a quick update at the financial aid office, she said. But it’s not a guarantee since everyone’s eligibility and max limit differs.
“Financial Aid is not a one-size fits all,” Morrissey pointed out.
Morrissey said the e-books program is the future. Morrissey and the Open Education Resource committee are in the process of putting Pearson’s First day initiative in place and convincing faculty to adopt cheaper and electronic options. She reported that results are mostly positive.
According to Morrissey, professors who participate will use digital textbooks which students obtain through Blackboard. These resources are embedded with videos, workbooks, and links, giving students substantial savings. Approximating a $300 hard copy textbook would be reduced to about $80 electronically, she said the fee for the e-book is swept into the student bill. This means financial aid will pick up the tab as part of class cost, savings students the hassle in more ways than one.
Morrissey is a member of the Open Education Resources committee (OER), which advocates for affordable books and college costs and has been the Director of Financial Aid at Mount Wachusett since 1996.
At the end of the semester, don’t shove the book under the bed just yet. Sell it to recoup some coinage.
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