Open a credit card that offers cash back points. Use this account strictly for the purchase of college text books, and use your rewards points to redeem cash. Put the earned money back into the outstanding balance of the card.
Apply for community scholarships from businesses, churches, employers and local foundations, as they often present cash awards. These organizations realize that college costs go beyond tuition and that students and parents can use cash towards the cost of room and board, books and transportation. Some organizations are even beginning to award money specifically for textbooks. Use this cash to pay a lump sum on your outstanding credit card balance.
Look beyond the campus bookstore. A few decades ago only the campus store and perhaps one nearby competitor existed for the purchase of textbooks. With the Internet, buying books no longer needs to be local. Free e-book downloads, online libraries and brick-and-mortar libraries also provide reading material for some classes for little or no membership fee.
Keep in mind that purchased books can be sold during the campus bookstore's buy-back period at the semester's end. Books are accepted based on their condition and the demand for the subject covered. Any money earned from selling textbooks should be put directly towards the balance of your credit card.
Rely on student loans only if necessary. Financial guru Suze Orman states that student loans are not bad debt, but having no debt is better than good debt. Many loan applicants are unaware they do not have to take an entire loan award. If you are awarded money through student loans, accept only the amount you need.