Columbia College Introduces No-Fee, Free Textbook Program

Columbia College announced the launch of the Truition’ initiative for the fall 2018 semester, in which students enrolled in online or evening classes will no longer have to pay extra fees or for textbooks.

Although the program is not extended to traditional daytime students, they have access to other methods of financial aid. Regardless, most of Columbia College’s enrollment is made up by online and evening campus students.

“New students enrolling under Truition in the fall 2018 semester will pay $375 per credit hour, which includes all fees and books. For currently enrolled students eligible for the offer, tuition will increase from $305 per credit hour to $335 per credit hour,” the Columbia Daily Tribune reported.

The increase of $30 per credit hour will add up to $90 for a three-credit hour class, however, this is still cheaper than the cost of fees and textbooks.

Columbia College will cover the cost of textbooks by negotiating with sellers and buying in bulk at a discounted rate, hoping to in turn increase enrollment.

The main distributor will be an e-text and educational resources distribution company called EdMap, in which students will get to keep their textbooks and have unlimited access to e-books.