Hi

According to the Government Accountability office (GAO), the cost of textbooks have outgrown inflation by 2-to-1 in the past twenty years.

College textbooks account for just over a quarter of the cost of tuition and fees at four-year public universities and around 75 % of costs at community colleges.

This has placed significant financial burden on students on the lower rung of the economic ladder and no doubt has led to many not being able to afford college at all.

This matter was so serious that it gained the attention of Congress, where hearings were held and legislators asked the GAO to launch an investigation into the high college textbook prices.

Who is to blame for these high prices?

Some experts point their fingers at greedy publishers who are churning out newer editions of textbooks more quickly than before. This situation places students in a position where they have to buy these more expensive editions.

On the other hand, the publishers believe they are not to blame. They say educators are demanding that more information be placed in textbooks. As such, many textbooks now have add-ons, such as such as study guides, website access, test questions, DVDs etc. These contribute to the rising cost of books.

When you factor in the high price of oil these days, a slowing down in the price of textbooks is not expected in the foreseeable future.

So, how should students tackle this problem?

Well, one way is to buy new or used textbooks online , where they are cheaper than those available in physical bookstores.

Some students are also looking to foreign websites to source textbooks at cheaper prices even though they have to deal with longer shipping times and no returns.

One solution I am very excited about is the prospect of getting textbooks on the "open textbook" platform.

Open textbooks are free textbooks available on the net, that are licensed to allow users to download, customize and print any part of the text. Instructors can edit the books to suit their students’ needs and course requirements.

Also, through this platform, some authors allow users to print their books and have it bound for $10-$20 each. This is a significant savings to the hundreds of dollars that some textbooks can cost.

To learn more about the "open book" platform visit Flat World Knowledge .

Make it a great day

David

Hi

For many, the college application and admission process is an arduous one.

Getting professional help is a great way to ensure that your college admission is as smooth as humanly possible.

I suggest checking out AppyWise , the # 1 online college admissions counseling service available.

Just go to their website and see how they can help you create a winning college application.

Make it a great day

David

Hi

Here is another degree that can help keep your country "safe" and is also very rewarding financially.

Check out my free report on environmental science degrees .

Best

David

Hi

I have written about bogus online degrees ad nauseam but there is another scam that you need to be aware of. That is, one offering you a chance to do your GED (General Educational Development) online.

Sylvia E. Robinson, executive director of the GED Testing Service, the official GED test administrator, had this to say on the American Council on Education (ACE) website:

"GEDTS is deeply concerned with a recent increase in the number of web sites purporting to offer GED testing online or through the mail.

We would like everyone to know—and share with others—that the GED Tests are not currently offered online and can only be taken in person at an official GED Testing Center.

Any services that purport to offer a GED credential through any other means are not affiliated with GEDTS or ACE, may be of dubious value, and may deliver a product that is not accepted by employers, colleges and universities, or the military."

So there you have it - you can’t do a GED online or via correspondence. If you decide to the GED, visit the ACE website . You can’t go wrong there.

What you can do is get your high school diploma online - not just any ol’ diploma but an accredited one. This not only opens up opportunities for people to get a high school diploma in the convenience of their homes but provides an alternative to the GED.

Recognize that a GED holder is just that - a GED holder - not a high school graduate. In many cases, employers consider the GED to be of a lower standard than a high school diploma. All the more reason to get your high school diploma online if you don’t already have a GED.

When you add into the mix the fact that a high school graduate earns on average, $700 more a month than a non-graduate (according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics), you can see that it is one of the most basic, yet essential qualifications to have.

Get free info on a well-recognized high school diploma online.

Make it a great day.

David

Hi

I have just put up a free report on Homeland Security Degrees .

Talk about a growth area? This is it.

Check it out .

David