How to Save Money on Textbooks and Supplies

July 22, 2025

Posted by STLCC in Paying for College 

You’re registered for classes and geeked about starting the year right. Buying the required books and supplies in advance is at the top of your mind, but you’re also on a budget. Whether you’re looking for cheap textbooks for college or wondering where to get free textbooks, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn how to buy materials at St. Louis Community College and save money in the process.

In the not-too-distant past, teachers handed out books on the first day of class or you visited a bookstore with your schedule to shop. Welcome to college, where this process is reimagined.

Now, with a simple search from your device or computer, you can order everything you need online and ship it to your home or one of the STLCC Campus Stores.

Ordering Books: Don’t Let the Different Names Confuse You

There are a few moving parts and the online bookstore’s name has changed. Don’t let that confuse you.

Akademos/VitalSource manages the STLCC online bookstore. However, the company’s website is powered by textbookx.com, so you must visit the official website, stlcc.textbookx.com to order books required for STLCC courses.

After you’re there, use your STLCC email address to log in and order materials. Using this email address allows you to navigate to your account and automatically links the website to your assigned course materials and financial aid information.

Although Archers can order course materials and textbooks for the current semester through finals week, it's a good idea to visit the website early. The current semester closes after finals and then you can only order books adopted for the upcoming semester.

After you log in, you can choose between e-book, marketplace, new, used, or rental textbooks.

E-books conveniently give students access to course material within an hour.

Students on a strict budget might consider purchasing books in the marketplace. This is an ordering option where students around the country and other third-party sellers buy and sell books at heavily discounted prices. However, these books are often nonrefundable, so use caution.

Classes that use open education resource materials (OER) offer another opportunity for students to save money. Look for OER in the list of course materials needed in the course catalog and on stlcc.textbookx.com to take advantage of this option. OER class materials are primarily online, and students can use the college books for free. The OER listing on stlcc.textbookx.com may also include a print option for purchase. While students are not required to purchase the listed textbook for a course using OER, they might find it useful to have a printed book to follow.

If money is a concern or you’re having trouble getting a book because you’re waiting for financial aid, your instructor may have materials available in the library. It never hurts to ask.

Shopping Around for Books and Materials

While it’s recommended, students aren’t required to purchase materials through stlcc.textbookx.com. If you decide to shop with another seller to save money, one disadvantage is you can’t use your financial aid or scholarships on other websites. The online bookstore shows the correct books and/or materials adopted by the instructor, so it’s also important to copy the correct International Standard Book Number (ISBN) when shopping around.

Rodney Jones, auxiliary services manager at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, has tips for students as they prepare for the school year.

Regardless of where they buy materials, students should pay attention to return deadlines.

“You don't want to get stuck with a book you no longer need, because you decided to change your schedule or you found another resource for the material at a lesser cost and waited too long to return it,” he said.

It’s also important to read messages closely and understand what books are required. Sometimes course materials are listed in a "choose one format.”

“Students do not need to buy all of the options listed for one title,” Jones said. “Choose the format that best suits your learning style and budget.”

Hurry to Buy Physical Books, Wait to Buy E-books

When reviewing the list of materials needed to help you have a successful year, plan to order physical textbooks early. That’s because textbooks can take up to five business days to process and ship.

On the other hand, you can wait until class starts to order e-books. Canvas opens three days before classes start, and many e-books contain courseware that connects to Canvas. Instructors set up this connection, so it’s best to wait on this purchase to ensure e-books and courseware codes connect.

Something else to keep in mind is the return window for e-books and courseware is seven days from the purchase date. Ordering too early is costly, because if you change your mind about a class, you can’t return the materials for a refund.

After you've placed your order, checking out takes approximately five minutes.

If you have questions, Akademos/VitalSource (stlcc.textbookx.com) has answers. Customer service is available 24/7 at the start of each major term and the company’s self-help tools are also available. After you’ve logged in, you can track orders, return books and check your records.

Keep in mind: For technical difficulties with courseware that connects your textbook to a course in Canvas, it’s best to contact Akademos/VitalSource Support for help first via stlcc.textbookx.com. If you’re still stuck, ask for a ticket number prior to contacting the campus store for help. Having the ticket number is important, so staff at the campus stores can assist you.

Other Considerations

STLCC provides vouchers, so students can use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds to purchase materials at stlcc.textbookx.com and/or campus bookstores.

Because program needs vary, students are encouraged to work with campus store staff to develop a plan that meets their unique needs. For example, if a culinary student needs to purchase the required uniform and equipment, he or she can work with staff to move FAFSA funds to cover the costs from stlcc.textbookx.com to the campus store.

This may especially help a cost-conscious Archer, because Akademos/VitalSource (stlcc.textbookx.com) doesn’t fill orders for kits required for clinicals, uniforms, scrubs, etc. Instead, the website points students to the campus store to purchase these items in person.

As you consider shopping for the materials you need this academic year, remember you have options. Do what works best for you. This may mean hunting for bargains and free materials or moving FAFSA funds to cover costs.

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