Financial Aid
Textbook Costs
- According to the College Board Annual Survey of Colleges, the average annual
cost of textbooks at 4-year private colleges for full-time students during the
2009-2010 academic year was $1,116.
- Approximately 50% of Messiah's Textbook Express textbook sales in a typical
semester are used books. Used books save the student 25% off of the price of a
new book.
- Textbooks are tax-exempt in the state of Pennsylvania. This can save the
student an additional 6% off the similar retail receipt from another
bricks-and-mortar store.
- Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) newly created
American Opportunity Tax Credit, textbook and other course material
expenses--along with tuition and fees incurred and not covered by
scholarships or grants--may be claimed as a tax credit of up to $2,500 on that
year's tax return. Students must keep their receipts to be eligible. See www.textbookaid.org for
additional details and to determine eligibility.
