Paying for college is getting tougher for Georgia families, but one area school has a unique way to help.
South Georgia Technical College is offering free books to students.
Cuts to the HOPE scholarship program are leaving many students with tough decisions between education and finances.
College is supposed to be some of the best times of life, but the financial strain it brings is tough for Georgia families. That has South Georgia Technical College unveiling a different idea.
"And we know one of the biggest challenged our students have with the cutback in the HOPE grant and the elimination of the book voucher, we could help with books if we could work something out," said South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves.
This fall, South Georgia Tech students won't have to pay for their textbooks. The books will be provided by the school.
Across town at Georgia Southwestern, administrators are monitoring students' financial strain too.
"It is not covering nearly as much as it used to," said Georgia Southwestern's Vice President of Enrollment Management Dr. Gaye Hayes said. "We have not seen a dramatic change in enrollment differences, but we are very sensitive to the fact that families are struggling to pay for college."
Georgia Southwestern says the economy is making it tougher for many students to leave home for school. They also put policies in place to try to make up for what HOPE is cutting off.
"But, that was predominately in the metro Atlanta area," said Hayes. "Students have chosen to stay at home and we believe it is a financial decision. Southwestern was one of the only schools that froze our resident hall rates this fall."
As for South Georgia Tech, they are already downsizing their bookstore because they will not need to sell as many books. Students will go to class, get their book, and return it at the end of the term.
"The revenue stream from the foundation and our local funds created this pool for us to be able to buy the books," Reeves said. "How we are going to do this is just like it was in high school."
The concept of free books is creating a buzz in Americus.
"The students are so excited! They can't believe it," Reeves said. "If anybody is out there and would like to have free books, South Georgia Technical College this fall semester."
Students will still have to buy workbooks and any supplies that cannot be reused. It is all to keep education affordable.
President Sparky Reeves
Dr. Gaye Hayes
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
