These days, college students are pinching pennies more than ever. So one state’s universities found a perk that’ll help their students save.

Florida’s state universities have teamed up with University Press of Florida to launch Orange Grove Texts Plus — an initiative that makes more than 120 textbooks available to students to download for free.

The program will also offer printed books up to half off the retail prices. Most books will be between $29 and $54 each, due to the findings of a recent Orange Grove Survey.

The findings showed that:

• 22% of students were “uncomfortable” reading from a computer screen
• 75% of students said they preferred to read print copy, and
• 60%  of students reported they’d buy a discounted book — even if the textbook was available for free online.

College students in Florida were spending an average of more than $1,000 on textbooks each year, and the cost of textbooks has tripled between 1986 and 2004, according to a study by Sallie Mae.

Bottom line: The Orange Grove Texts Plus program will likely mean substantial savings for students.

Has your school implemented savings programs to help students? Share your savings ideas in the comments section below.

Tags: College costs, Florida state universities, Orange Grove Texts Plus