With a new school year comes countless expenses including tuition, housing, meals, books and more. While there are not as many ways to cut corners with fixed housing rates or tuition, the Florida A&M University bookstore has come up with what it believes is a money-saving alternative to individually buying books through a program called Rattler’s Pack.
Through Rattler’s Pack — which officially closed on Friday — participating undergraduate students are offered one-shop access to all course materials at a discounted rate, saving between 30-50% of the normal cost. Course materials include required textbooks, access codes and lab manuals. Students are automatically enrolled upon class registration.
The utilization of this program is in three easy steps. To begin, professors select course materials for each course, students then register for classes and confirm their order before concluding with the final step of pick-up.
This ensures that all students have access to materials before the first day of classes. Physical textbooks are pre-packaged by the bookstore and available to pick up, while online course platforms are accessible to students via Canvas.
According to famu.edu, “All required course materials are included as a course charge of $24 per credit hour per semester.”
FAMU bookstore assistant manager Aaron Thompson shared the intent and benefits of student participation in the program.
“We wanted to make sure that students could get actual discounts on their books. It’s not the actual books students are paying for, it’s per credit hour of the class which makes it cheaper for the students,” Thompson said. “Instead of paying $100 for a book out of pocket, if the course is only three credits you are only paying $72 rather than $100. Most students don’t understand how it saves money, but I always explain the process and encourage students to opt in.”
Another key factor to consider is that it’s an all-or-nothing program, meaning you can either opt in for all classes or pay individually for each.
For Tyler Campbell, a second-year chemical engineering major, this is the most cost-effective way to purchase books.
“I believe the Rattler’s Pack is very useful, so I decided to opt in and receive my textbooks and access codes through it. Being a chemical engineering student, all my courses this semester require specific textbooks that Rattler’s Pack generates through the system and only leaves me with the task of picking up, while saving money,” Campbell said. “All of my books and access codes are needed to be able to study and complete my coursework.”
On the flip side, for students who do not wish to participate, there is an option to opt out of the program via e-mail. For Kailey Watkins, a first-year business administration student, selecting to opt out was in her best interest.
“I waited until the last hour to opt-out, I wanted to confirm with all my professors what I would need. In turn, most of my professors didn’t require textbooks or I found an online version,” Watkins said. “I found two textbooks online, two professors didn’t teach by the book, and I only needed one book. I was able to rent the book for $45, which ended up being cheaper for me than paying $24 per 15 credit hours that I take.”
The program runs semester by semester and students have the option each time to select the plan that works best for them. With questions or concerns regarding the Rattler’s Pack program, visit the FAMU bookstore located inside the Student Services Center at 601 Robert and Trudie Perkins Way.