GSW students save more than $2.5 million in textbook costs through Affordable Learning Georgia

AMERICUS, Ga. (Nov. 13, 2026) — Students at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) have saved more than $2.5 million in textbook and course material costs since 2014 through the University's participation in Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG), a University System of Georgia (USG) initiative dedicated to reducing the cost of higher education.

According to ALG's Spring 2026 Institutional Data Report, GSW students have saved an estimated $2,567,355 in textbook expenses through grant-funded projects that provide free or affordable educational materials, benefiting nearly 15,800 student enrollments since 2014.

Since the initiative began in 2014, GSW has received 17 Affordable Materials Grants totaling $222,700. These investments have generated approximately $11.53 in student savings for every dollar awarded, demonstrating the significant impact of faculty and staff efforts to make educational resources more accessible.

"Affordability is an important part of student success, and these savings represent a meaningful difference for thousands of students and families," said Dr. Rachel Abbott, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at GSW. "Our faculty and staff have embraced opportunities to reduce financial barriers while maintaining the quality of instruction our students deserve. Their continued commitment helps ensure that the cost of textbooks and course materials does not stand in the way of academic achievement."

Affordable Learning Georgia supports faculty in adopting, adapting and creating free or low-cost course materials, including open educational resources (OER). These resources can replace traditional textbooks and other required materials, allowing students to access essential learning materials without the added financial burden.

GSW's participation has expanded access to affordable materials across a variety of academic disciplines. During Spring 2026, the University reported 140 course sections using no-cost materials, representing 18.69% of its non-eCore course sections. This percentage exceeded the 10.48% average among USG state universities.

Courses offering no-cost materials during the semester included Public Speaking, Introduction to Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Music Appreciation, biology labs and several communication and nursing courses.

The report also highlighted the University's sustained progress in offering no-cost course materials, with approximately 19% to 20% of course sections designated as no-cost during recent academic years.

In addition to grant-funded savings, these no-cost course offerings help students reduce their educational expenses while ensuring access to the resources needed to succeed in the classroom.

Affordable Learning Georgia recognized GSW's faculty and staff for their sustained efforts to advance affordable education, noting the important role of campus advocates in encouraging the adoption of open educational resources and innovative instructional practices.

"These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our faculty to finding creative, student-centered approaches to teaching and learning," Abbott added. "We are proud of the progress we've made and look forward to continuing efforts that make a GSW education even more affordable and accessible."

Affordable Learning Georgia is an initiative of the University System of Georgia that promotes student success by reducing the cost of textbooks and other course materials through grants, partnerships and open educational resources.

For more information about Affordable Learning Georgia and its statewide impact, visit affordablelearninggeorgia.org.