Lipscomb students are finding relief at Chegg.com, a new site offering to rent textbooks at a reasonable price, providing an option from the campus bookstore.
According to the National Association of College Stores, students can spend as much as $667 per year on required course materials. This semester is well under way, but it won’t be long before it’s time to buy — or rent — books for the next semester.
The Chegg label on textbook bindings means that students have at least shopped around.
“I have used Chegg for two years, and I’m very satisfied with the service after saving nearly $500 dollars,” said Elizabeth Hooper, a junior elementary education major. “Textbooks arrive within two days after the order was placed.”
Hooper said students should use Chegg.com for all textbook-related deals.
Several rental companies are involved at campus bookstores. Lipscomb’s campus bookstore — owned by Follett Higher Education Group — uses the “Rent-A-Text” program. But Chegg remains the leading rental company in the country.
Chegg might be the only option for some students, according to senior Kyle Chapman.
“I was disappointed to learn my books were not offered in the (Rent-A-Text) program,” Chapman said. “I’ll definitely explore Chegg.com next semester.”
Chegg’s environmental commitment also is a plus to some students. For every book rented, the company said it will plant a new tree in the country chosen by the renter. According to Chegg.com, the company planted over one million trees in 2009.