The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, though, has come up with a proposal to give students a chance to save some money.

Higher Education Chancellor Brian Noland says the policy, currently out for a 30 day comment period, would change the timeline for textbook purchases.

“One of the things the rule outlines is that the students know early on the books that will be required that way they have the opportunity to shop on the used market and realize cost savings,” Noland recently told MetroNews.

Some students here in West Virginia are paying as much as $1,000 a semester for books, many of which they’ll never use again and can only sell for a fraction of their purchase price.

At a time when Governor Joe Manchin is asking the state’s colleges and universities not to raise tuition, Noland says this is another way for students to see savings.

“The net result being a net reduction in the cost students bear each semester, as they’re not only paying tuition and fees but then paying the costs associated with textbooks.”

Noland says, by giving students more time to shop, they won’t be forced to buy brand new copies of a required textbook. They can shop the used book aisles and search on-line for gently used copies. Or with new technology in place, not even buy a hard copy, but rather an e-textbook.