A fight over college textbook prices is leaving students unsure who to believe about costs

USA TODAY

Zachary Schermele

April 12, 2024

President Joe Biden’s crusade against so-called “junk fees” is on its way to college campuses, and some of the pushback is fierce.

Some university leaders say a planned change to an Obama-era regulation could raise prices on textbooks and other course materials for students nationwide. Publishers are in a panic, accusing the Biden administration of upending a pricing model they’ve spent years perfecting to offer affordable digital materials to millions of students on the first day of class.

Backed by consumer advocates, Education Department officials see it differently. They argue the model currently favored by colleges and textbook companies is akin to automatic billing and leaves out vulnerable students. The Biden administration says it’s just trying to give college students more say in the ever-mounting fees listed on their bills.

Some students and professors are worried the effort will backfire. Others are happy to have more control over their college costs. It’s unclear exactly how the change, which could take effect next year, will affect students’ bank accounts. But the implications will likely depend on how publishers react, the types of colleges students attend and their own individual financial situations.

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