My story is likely shared by many. As a low-income student who relied mostly on financial aid at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), I was thrown off course due to disbursement delays. It forced me to cough up over $200 from my own pocket to buy textbooks for just two courses. The financial strain was tremendous, and I believe it's time we reassess how textbooks are financed.

The cost of textbooks is a significant burden for college students across the United States, let alone UTSA. Between 1977 and 2015, the price of textbooks has risen over 1,041% or three times the rate of inflation (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). A survey by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) also showed that 65% of students had chosen not to buy a college textbook due to its high price. It's imperative that we address this issue.

I am calling for UTSA to cover the full cost of textbooks for students in every course. There are many routes we could take to accomplish this, but by doing so, UTSA would not only significantly ease the financial burden on students but also redefine its commitment to accessible education. We can all work together to come up with the route that we want the most.

Help us ensure that UTSA students, regardless of their financial status, can fully participate in their learning without being held back by the prohibitive cost of textbooks. Please, sign this petition and join our cause.