Financial Aid Roundup: Saving on Textbooks, Transferring Schools and Getting the Scoop on the EFC

Pay for College Blog: Cost Cutter: Textbooks You Can Rent!

Textbook prices have been increasing at twice the rate of inflation for the past 20 years, and students have always felt some anxiety when it comes to shelling out hundreds of dollars each semester for their course materials. Deborah Fox at the Pay for College Blog tells us more about Book Renter, www.bookrenter.com, a website that allows students to rent their textbooks instead of buy them!  Also, check out sites like Amazon and eCampus.com, which offer great deals on new & used textbooks. These sites also can help you sell your textbooks when you’re done with them.

Associated Press: Economy sending students back home to college

A recent study found that an unusually high number of students are leaving expensive private colleges and transferring to affordable public colleges closer to home. Transfer applications are up 30% at some schools. There are a million reasons why students might want to switch schools, but according to the study, money for tuition was a prominent issue.

Keep in mind that transferring could lead to extra costs, since all credits are not made equal. If your current college costs too much, or if you’re facing a significant amount of debt after graduation, transferring elsewhere is something you might want to look into.

Another route you should consider is taking your core requirement courses at your local community college or through an online program, where tuition costs are much lower, and then transferring to your college of choice. To find a campus or online program that suits your education goals, click here.

FAFSAOnline: FAFSA and Your EFC

Lee Anne Hannula offers some clarification into the FAFSA’s EFC (Estimated family contribution) and how this number isn’t always what you should expect to pay.