While this information varies based on factors such as course load, the College Board has reported that, nationally, the cost of books and supplies for the 2005-2006 academic year ranged from $801 to $904 depending upon the type of institution a student attended. This figure does not include the savings achieved by students selling back their used textbooks or by using grants and financial aid.

After the store expenses have been paid, a college store makes about four cents for every dollar of new textbooks sold. The money that is made goes back to the institution or into student programs to help defray other costs of higher education.

For the Bookstore's normal hours of operation click here. For extended hours during the registration period and first week of class, click here.

1. When you visit the store there is always someone available to help you find what you need.
2. Each textbook aisle has signs posted at the beginning to let you know what is down that particular aisle.
3. The classes are listed in the following order.
   1. Alphabetized by subject
   2. In numerical order by course number
   3. Alphabetized by instructors last name
4. Shelf tags are listed for every class letting you know what is required for your class. 
   1. If there is not a book required then the shelf tag will state “No Book Required”
   2. The shelf tag will also list whether the book is required or optional and also provides the new and used book price.
   3. Always look in the comment area located in the upper left hand corner below the section number to see if anything special is indicated for that class.
5. Your textbook(s) needed for the class will be shelved either below or above the shelf tag. 
   1. We will have an arrow on the shelf tags letting you know in what direction to look.
6. It is important to make sure that the book(s) you purchase is for the class that you need. 
   1. *Always check the book you are purchasing against the shelf tag for the class.
7.  If you have any questions then please see one of the bookstore staff.  If we don’t have the answer, we will find someone who does.

1. Go to the bookstore website at http://bookstore.maconstate.edu
2. Click on the Textbook picture.
3. Read carefully over the “MSC Bookstore Textbook Policy”
4. If you agree click on the “I agree” button
5. Once you have done this you can begin shopping for your textbooks.
6. You will need to select a campus/term combination. 
   1. This is provided for you in a drop down box.
   2. Select the term that you are looking for.
7. There are several boxes that you will need to work with in order to find the correct textbook. 
   1. First select the department/subject.
   2. Second select the course number that you are taking
   3. Third you will need to select a section number.  This also includes the instructor’s name.
8. Once you have selected your correct class a box will appear below. 
   1. In this box you can see what has been requested by your instructor and whether or not the book is required or optional.
   2. Next to that is the new price followed by the used price.
      1. If a NA appears then we are currently out of the new or used book.
   3. Next is a quantity box.  This box is to order the quantity that you would like to order for that one particular title.
   4. After this you have a drop down box that allows you to decide what type of condition you would prefer for your textbook; new or used.
      1. A new book will be substituted for a used book if a used copy is not available. This is explained in the MSC Bookstore Textbook Policy.
   5. When you have finished entering in the quantities on the books you would like for a particular class you will need to click on the blue button below that states “add to basket.”
9.   Once you have done so you will then view the contents in your basket.
10.   You can continue shopping or click on the link that allows you to proceed to the basket to complete the transaction.
11. Once you click on the words basket to check out then you are on your way. 
12. Follow the remaining steps to check out.

Starting the first day of regular registration, you can use the credit balance (maximum of $1500) on your Banner student account for the purchase of books and supplies in the MSC Bookstore. This balance can be verified by calling the Bursar's Office at 471-2705.

The MSC Bookstore cashier will ask to see your MSC student picture ID and then will enter your MSCID number into the cash register at the time of purchase by means of a link to the Banner Student Information System. Your available Banner credit balance will be used to complete the sale. Your purchases will be posted to your Banner student account with the transaction description of: FABK - Fin Aid Bookstore Sales.

You can make multiple Bookstore purchases using your student account credit balance up to the maximum $1500.

Your Financial Aid award may be used to purchase any merchandise in the MSC Bookstore including books, supplies, book bags, electronics and computer supplies, and MSC clothing.

The Macon State College Bookstore goes to great lengths to obtain used textbooks for you. Used textbook availability requires the cooperation of faculty, Campus Store text buyers and students. The process below describes how used textbooks are obtained and how you as a student fit into the process.

At the end of each semester the Campus Store sponsors Book Buyback during the week of finals. Bring in all of the books you don't want to keep. Cash is paid for these books during Buyback based on the following conditions:

1. If the book is being used next semester, we will generally pay you approximately 50% of the price you paid for the book at the beginning of the semester.
2. If the book is not being used next semester, you may sell it to a book wholesaler in the store, provided there is a market value for the book.
3. If you have materials with no market value (old editions or those with a one-time copyright), we have a donations program to place these materials into needy hands.

Keep in mind that less than half of the used textbooks sold come from our own Buyback. The majority come from students like yourselves who sold their books to the national market to get cash and benefit others just like you. Chances are good that the used textbook in your hand was sold back by someone on a different campus. The difference in the price you paid covers the logistics of making them available in useful quantities to schools across the nation and to you. So, the more students who take advantage of Buyback, the more used textbooks are available for students to buy next semester.

For more information about our buybacks and buyback policies, click here.

Our refund policy can be found by clicking here.

The MSC Bookstore and its staff-members are experts on the books required for your classes. We work very closely with the academic divisions of the College to ensure that the correct course materials are made available to students. We offer the convenience of buying here and, within the limits of our refund policy, returning here if there is a problem with the book, if you drop the class, etc. The MSC Bookstores also offer book buyback at the beginning and end of each semester to help students recoup some of the money they've spent on textbooks.