UA SUPe Store’s Textbook Rental Program Expanding

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After piloting a textbook rental program last year, The University of Alabama’s University Supply Store plans to expand it for the upcoming academic year.

The pilot program was funded in part by a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, from the U.S. Department of Education.

“The SUPe Store will be able to offer more than 400 titles for rent this fall,” said Teresa Shreve, director of the University Supply Store, known as the SUPe Store.

According to Shreve, students will be able to experience, at the minimum, a 25 percent savings when comparing the selling price to the rental price. Book rentals of both new and used books will be available.

“By giving the option of textbook rental, many students will be able to enjoy a lower cash outlay for textbooks at the beginning of the semester,” said Shreve.

This fall, some of the titles available for rent will include large enrollment courses, such as Math 125 (Calculus), History 102 (Western Civilization) and Psychology 101. As new textbooks adoptions are entered, rental title numbers may continue to grow, according to SUPe store representatives.

The rental titles are listed on the Registrar’s website and are marked on the store’s book shelves. When students check out, if the book is a rental title, students will be asked if they want to rent or buy it.

The UA SGA was involved in the development and implementation of the pilot textbook rental program.

SGA President James Fowler said he is pleased with the expansion of the program.

“The Textbook Rental Program allows for UA students to use textbooks for an entire semester, while instantly putting money back in their pockets,” said Fowler. “We are excited that the textbook rental program has grown to such an impacting size, and students should look forward to the money savings they will experience when renting textbooks at the Supe Store.”