All summer long, you bragged about how your child got accepted into college. You've pinched pennies and saved for tuition, but now that you see how much those textbooks cost, you are at a loss for words.

Since 1994, the price of textbooks has increased at nearly four times the rate of inflation, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Students spend an average of about $900 on textbooks a year.

But there are ways to avoid sticker shock — including buying used and online.

GO USED

Used textbooks — when the professor allows them — are one way to save.

Nikki Kobayashi, a freshman at Windward Community College in Kane'ohe, says she tried to buy used books at the college bookstore. Her dad even went online looking for better prices than the bookstore's.

"I would buy used textbooks because they're a lot cheaper," Kobayashi says. "But when I went to the bookstore, some of the books I wanted, they didn't have."

As a result of her cost-savings strategizing, her books so far have cost not much more than $100.

But there's one problem: The bookstore didn't have the chemistry text she needs in the used book section, and she may have to cough up $150 for a new one.

"That's a bummer," she says.

SHOP ONLINE

Many tech-savvy students go online to find cheaper textbooks. Online stores don't have as much overhead expense and can sell textbooks at a discount. Also, competition drives online bookstores to offer lower prices.

Marie Tanaka, a sophomore at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, says Amazon.com can have books shipped here in two or three days and they're often cheaper than the bookstore's.

"I compare the prices at the UH bookstore and then Amazon," she says. And since she's spending her hard-earned money from a summer job, she goes with the best price.

"The bookstore has new and used books, and if they have a used book that's decent and the price wasn't too bad, I'd buy it from there," Tanaka says.

But before she checks online, she tries to buy books from friends who've taken the class.

"I had a few friends older than me, so I already knew from the beginning (of college) to ask people what classes they had and if the book was current," she says.

There are at least a dozen other online bookstores that offer significant savings on college books, including www.Amazon.com, www.Cheapesttextbooks.com and www.AbeBooks.com. Other sites let you compare prices, including www.Campusbooks.com and www.BestBookBuys.com.

OFF-CAMPUS SOURCES

Even taking a stroll down University Avenue from the UH-Manoa campus, may save students some money on textbooks.

Every day, 15 to 20 students stop in at Rainbow Books and Records looking for used textbooks, says salesman Wade Nakaya.

Most of the time they can save as much as 50 percent, he says.

"We're the only used bookstore in the area that handles textbooks," Nakaya says.

Purchasing digital books can be another way to save. Vital source.com sells thousands of digital textbooks for about 20 percent to 50 percent less than they cost in a store, says Frank Daniels III, CEO of the company, which has its headquarters in downtown Raleigh, N.C.

Students download the books and read them on their computers. They also can highlight text, make notes and share notes with classmates, or print any section of the book, Daniels said.

While shopping online can save money, there are drawbacks.

The biggest problem is returns, which can be a long and difficult process.

If you decide to buy textbooks online, here are some tips: