Two decades ago, a full-tuition scholarship allowed me to attend a wealthy private US university. After my first semester of expensive book purchases, I was on broke and on academic probation (partially from working so much to afford living expenses!).
Fortunately, a friend showed me how to purchase identical-edition textbooks from Indian/SriLankan publishers — written in English and with valid online access codes. Including shipping, textbooks from this source were identical material (on cheaper paper) but only cost 20% of US publisher prices.
On recollection, I'm sure this was somehow illegal/contraband; but looking at it it decades later it still feels like academia/publishers are robbing the majority of students with their prices (just like healthcare... taxes... etc.).
Fortunately, a friend showed me how to purchase identical-edition textbooks from Indian/SriLankan publishers — written in English and with valid online access codes. Including shipping, textbooks from this source were identical material (on cheaper paper) but only cost 20% of US publisher prices.
On recollection, I'm sure this was somehow illegal/contraband; but looking at it it decades later it still feels like academia/publishers are robbing the majority of students with their prices (just like healthcare... taxes... etc.).