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How to Find Affordable Textbooks

Zero Cost Courses

Find out if your class uses zero cost course materials by looking for this icon in the course schedule. If it is a zero cost course, check the syllabus or ask your professor if there is a free version of the textbook either at the library or elsewhere.

Zero cost course example

 

Steps you need to take before you pay full price for your textbook:

 

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SJSU Library resources

eTextbooks
Your textbook might be available for free as an ebook from the library.  

Course Reserves
Check out a copy of your textbook at the circulation desk on the first floor.  

Library Catalog (OneSearch)
OneSearch allows you to search for books, articles, journals, and more from all 23 CSU libraries.

A.S. Affordable Textbook Program
Students qualifying for grants can get a $100 voucher off their purchase at the Spartan Bookstore.  

Spartan Bookstore Credit
Waiting for financial aid to come in or your next paycheck to cover textbook costs? You can charge up to $900 from the Spartan Bookstore to your MySJSU account. Just make sure to pay it off before the semester deadline.  

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Campus resources

Check these websites if your textbook is not available in steps 1 or 2:
 

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Online resources

 

 

 

 



slugbooks.com
bookfinder.com
abebooks.com
textbooks.com
chegg.com
amazon.com
vitalsource.com
cengagelearning.com
valorebooks.com
google.com

 

Please note: These resources are not institutionally approved resources.

Additional Resources