It is not uncommon for students to tell professors they cannot complete reading assignments because they cannot afford the necessary textbooks - a solution is out there.
Ball State University history professor Frederick Suppe said he often has students approach him near the beginning of the semester to tell him that the textbooks are out of their price range and they don't know what to do about it.
David Fried, director of Student Rights and Community Standards, said the office provides students with vouchers that they can take to the Ball State Bookstore.
The voucher is either a grant or a loan, which students repay when they are able to, Fried said.
"Usually, they have financial aid coming, but it's not in yet," Fried said.
SRCS determines whether students will receive grants or loans depending on their ability to repay it, such has having a job or receiving veterans' checks, Fried said.
Ball State can loan students a total of $1,000 during their college career, Fried said.
The vouchers are only redeemed at the Ball State Bookstore, he said.
David Mathews, assistant director of scholarships and financial aid, said the office often refers students to SRCS because they planned poorly.
"It's that they have not taken care of business and not planned ahead to have money for their textbooks," Mathews said. "They're not giving us the materials for their financial aid in time. Ideally, the way it works, everybody should have everything finalized where they receive a financial aid check in the mail right at the beginning of school."
Mathews said he often refers transfer students to SRCS because they are unable to receive their financial aid until later in the semester.
"They're usually doing the best they can, but by the time they get their grades squared away and get registered at this school, there's not a lot of time," he said.
Students also say family problems have prevented them from being able to pay for textbooks, Mathews said.
"A lot of times, there's problems where a parent has lost a job or there was a death in the family or something unexpected like that," he said.
Fried said students who need assistance should visit the bookstore first to find out how much money they need.
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