The Libraries partners with OSFA’s Pack Promise to offer textbook scholarships

An NC State student pays around $1,000 for textbooks every school year. But textbook costs often aren’t a part of their financial aid package. So they have to pay out of pocket, take out a loan, or simply go without the textbooks and other required materials for their classes.

The Libraries and the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid (OSFA) are collaborating on a solution. Funded by donations to the Libraries' Student Resource Fund, a new pilot program provides textbook scholarships worth $869 apiece to twenty students in the OSFA’s Pack Promise program this academic year.

Around 200 incoming students join the Pack Promise program every year. Pack Promise covers 100% of a student's tuition for eight semesters. Eighty percent of their financial need is met through a combination of scholarships and grants, leaving 20% (roughly $5,000) of self-help aid to be covered through other means; students have an optional loan of $3,500 and federal work study meets the remaining $1,500.

The Libraries textbook scholarship provided through this new pilot program within Pack Promise factors into those students’ $5,000 self-help aid—but without requiring the students to have to repay it. Additionally, students are given freedom to decide where and when they purchase their course materials, potentially allowing them to make the award go even further.

“For students in the Pack Promise program, every college expense can be a big challenge, including their textbook costs. Anecdotally, students tell me they just skip buying textbooks or supplies when they are struggling financially,” says Krista Ringler, Associate Vice Provost and Director, OSFA. “We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with the Libraries and their commitment to investing in resources for students in the program to help us reduce their costs. The Libraries support for these students allows their student loan obligations to be reduced and further demonstrates NC State's historic commitment to access and affordability.”

Autumn Tate, a first-year student majoring in Graphic & Experience Design, is among the group selected for the textbook scholarship this year. “The Libraries’ Student Resource Fund has greatly helped me pay for the required supplies and textbooks needed for college and my major,” Tate says. “Specifically, with the extra support I've received, I've been able to afford to purchase art supplies for studio projects and other projects in the future for D104 and required textbooks for ENG 101. Without this scholarship, I don't know what I would have done to afford these expenses. Art supplies and textbooks can get really expensive sometimes, so having the extra support to do so really helps support my education. In my career, I hope to give back to all of these resources I've received and make a positive impact through something I've always been passionate about—art and design.”

The program expands upon the student support relationship between the Libraries and OSFA. In addition to financial aid, the OSFA’s Pack Promise provides academic coaching and support to help students set goals and succeed in college and in life. The program has collaborated with the Libraries for years on enrichment opportunities such as Makerspace workshops and gaming events.

“The Libraries is delighted to partner with the Pack Promise program to cover the cost of textbooks and other course materials for twenty students this semester,” says David Tully, Librarian for Student Success and Affordability. “This collaboration will ensure that 20 of our students now have the funds to purchase their textbooks without having to take out loans or try to persevere without them.”