SimpleTuition Acquires ValoreBooks Textbook Marketplace

BOSTON, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SimpleTuition, Inc., the leading provider of tips, advice and interactive tools that help students save on college-related expenses, announced today the acquisition of ValoreBooks, an online textbook marketplace which offers huge discounts on new and used textbooks as well as rentals.

"SimpleTuition is dedicated to helping students and their families afford the cost of college," said Kevin Walker, co-founder and CEO of SimpleTuition. "When you think about where students spend their money, textbooks are a big expense. The team at ValoreBooks has built a tremendous marketplace that has some of the best textbook selection and prices available today. Additionally, they share our vision for helping students save by comparing their options. SimpleTuition has done it with student loans, and ValoreBooks has done it for new, used and rental textbooks. Bringing the two companies together is a natural fit and allows us to help over 10 million students and families a year."

ValoreBooks was founded in 2002 and was an early pioneer in the online textbook market. It provides students with the lowest textbook prices by connecting them with sellers from all over the country. The ValoreBooks marketplace now boasts over 18 million titles from 20,000 sellers. Customers can easily compare prices on titles and even see new, used and rental options side-by-side.

"From the beginning, ValoreBooks has worked hard to help students save money," said Bobby Brannigan, founder and CEO of ValoreBooks. "We're excited to join SimpleTuition and help millions of new students save money in our textbook marketplace. What's more, SimpleTuition's other products will help our loyal customers and their families better plan for and manage college costs beyond textbooks." 

The acquisition of ValoreBooks is the latest move by SimpleTuition to expand its suite of products to help students and their families plan for the cost of college, save on expenses while in school, and manage and pay down their student debt. Adding to their award-winning student loan comparison tool, the company recently launched SmarterBucks™ and SmarterBank^®, a rewards program and online checking account that   help pay down any student loan. Previously, it released PayBackSmarter, a student loan repayment tool, and College Cost Adjuster, a tool that allows students to compare financial aid awards to see which school they can afford.

"Over the last year SimpleTuition has found new ways to help students throughout the lifecycle of paying for college," continued Walker. "This begins in high school, but can extend well after graduation, when you consider the cost of paying back student loans. Bobby has built a fantastic money-saving tool, making ValoreBooks a powerful addition to our portfolio of products that help students save money while they're in school. But, with the cost of education rising each year, we continue to look for more ways to help."

About SimpleTuition, Inc.
Since its launch in 2006, SimpleTuition has helped more than 10 million families afford higher education. SimpleTuition.com features tips, advice, interactive tools and deals that ensure students plan better for college costs, pay less for college-related expenses, and be smarter about how they manage and pay back their student loans. In addition to SimpleTuition.com, the company manages SmarterBank, SmarterBucks and PayBackSmarter, a suite of products that help graduates manage and pay down their student debt. Named Best Financial Services Site by Kiplinger's, SimpleTuition is headquartered in Boston, Mass., and is funded by Atlas Venture, Flybridge Capital Partners, and North Hill Ventures. For more information, visit SimpleTuition.com.

About ValoreBooks
Founded in 2002, ValoreBooks is dedicated to providing students textbook discounts and world-class customer service. Their textbook marketplace of over 20,000 sellers offers discounts up to 90% on over 18 million textbook titles and the lowest rental prices available. Sellers compete against each other to deliver savings that rival other online textbook providers and blow away on-campus textbook prices. Students can easily compare prices on new and used books and textbook rentals. ValoreBooks also provides textbook buyback to help students get money back at the end of the semester. For more information, visit ValoreBooks.com. 

Media Contact:
Jan Jahosky
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SOURCE SimpleTuition, Inc.