Yavapai Community College awarded $800,000+ for use of open-source technology, reducing college textbook costs and saving students money
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced that Yavapai Community College was awarded $801,218 as a result of Sinema’s Open Textbooks Pilot program, which reduces textbook costs for Arizona students.
“We’re proud our Open Textbooks Pilot program is getting results for Arizona students, and today’s funds will help Yavapai Community College students save money and achieve their dreams,” said Sinema.
The Open Textbooks Pilot program is based on Sinema’s Affordable College Textbook Act—legislation that expands access to open education resources, reducing textbook costs for students. According to the College Board, the average student budget for college books and supplies was $1,240 during the 2020-2021 academic year at four-year public institutions.
In the 2020 end-of-year appropriations bills, Sinema secured $7 million in funding for the Open Textbooks Pilot program. Lowering textbook costs eases financial burdens on Arizona students and their families.
Sinema relied on loans and scholarships to afford college and is committed to ensuring current and future generations have quality educational opportunities. While serving in the U.S. House, Sinema worked across party lines to restore year-round Pell Grant eligibility, so that Arizona students have more flexibility in using a Pell award. She also voted for bipartisan budgets that delivered increases in Pell Grant funding.