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MAT, the Movement for Affordable Textbooks, is an Engaged Pluralism Working Group composed of faculty, students, and administrators. MAT works to address the high cost of textbooks and course materials for Vassar students by gathering information and raising awareness around textbook affordability challenges and solutions.
On this page you will find strategies and services for reducing the overall costs of your textbooks and other course materials. In high school, textbooks are often provided, however, in college, it is up to you to obtain your course materials. Be sure to plan early and plan carefully.
The cost of course materials is included as an indirect cost when Financial Services calculates the total Cost of Attendance. Vassar assumes $2250/year in “books and personal expenses." So while the cost of course materials is factored into your total costs, you must budget for materials on your own.
If work study earnings will be used to pay for course materials, note:
Finding and confirming a work study position may take a few weeks, and you will not receive your first paycheck at least two weeks into the semester. Because of this, you may wish to take advantage of one a short-term loans.
Cash Advance
Students may add up to $600 of V-Cash on their ID card at the start of each semester (up until October 1st for Fall and March 1st for Spring) to purchase books through the Vassar College Store. The funds are essentially a “cash advance” as the amount is charged to your student account. It is expected that the student will use their work study earnings or other financial assistance to pay off the charge before the end of the semester." (Student Financial Service Student Guide 2023-2024.)
Students in need of emergency funds may apply for a no interest loan of up to $300. Application must be made to a financial aid counselor. The loan will appear as a charge on your student account and must be repaid when your next bill is due." (Student Financial Service Student Guide 2023-2024, p. 4)
*Note some departments, such as the Art and Film Departments, also offer stipends to help students pay for course materials. Please contact individual departments for more information.
As you purchase your textbooks and course materials, save your receipts.
Vassar allots $900/ year for course materials. If the cost of your course materials exceed $450 per semester, bring your receipts to Student Financial Services to have your receipts reviewed to confirm you can be reimbursed for the amount exceeding $450.
Student Financial Services is located in Main Building, South Wing 199.
Course materials can be purchased or rented online through the Vassar College Store. Try to order course materials *early* to ensure that a copy is available for you.
The College Store offers new, used, and rental options, including “Marketplace” alternatives. You may want to comparison shop by price checking online book vendors directly, such as, abebooks.com, alibris.com, Amazon or Chegg.
Explore Editions & Formats
Textbooks and other course materials might be available through the Vassar College Libraries.
Check Vassar's Library-Search online catalog for your course materials. Note, no items in the Libraries include the accompanying access codes. You may be able to purchase access codes separately.
Reserve items have a limited checkout period: 4 hours, 1-day, or 3-days. It is important to note when the items you have borrowed are due.
Check for items on Reserve though Vassar's Library-Search online catalog Advanced Search.
Faculty members can submit a request for the textbooks, scores and other materials used in their courses to be purchased and put on Reserve at the Vassar Libraries through the Textbook Program.
If an item is not held by Vassar, you may be able to request the item through Interlibrary loan. However, libraries typically do not lend commonly used textbooks.
FLI Library
Rm. 234, Josselyn
Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
This space houses used textbooks, resource books, reading books, and other course materials. FLI students may borrow books from the library. Want to know if we have a book you need? Learn more about how to borrow a book (4MB).
No Access Codes: The used items in the Transitions Library do not include the accompanying access codes. Access codes usually come with new course materials, but you may be able to purchase them separately.
Free Bookstore: The Office of Sustainability
Rm. 28 (Basement) Blodgett Hall
Used copies of textbooks and other reading materials available to students for free!
Donations accepted.
Departmental Collections: Departments often have a collection of new and used course materials or "Desk Copies" that can be made available to students.
Bio 107/108 students should contact Mary Ellen Czesak, Senior Lecturer and Lab Coordinator in Biology, maczesak@vassar.edu, Olmsted Hall.
Talk with your instructor: See if the Department has any free copies of the course materials for you to borrow. Urge your faculty to use the Textbook Program to request that the Libraries purchase a copy to put on Reserve. Faculty members can make request(s) using the Book Request Form.
Some departments, such as the Art and Film Departments, also offer stipends to help students pay for course materials. Contact individual departments for more information.
You can help other students by sharing or donating your used course materials.
Consider:
