I ran KYB GR2's on my S13 that I got used w/ eibach springs from a forum member and they did their job just fine. You can borrow tools from Advanced to swap the springs and keep your oem ones. The KYB AGX's are better but more money.
I did a quick search, looks like you can get them for about $350 all around. I buy certain parts on ebay, like an oil catch can or hose clamps, but struts\shocks are not one of them.
Use the bus or taxi (your buddies) until you can afford some entry level hardware. Not sure where you live, but working on a car in an apartment complex or on campus is a PITA. You only want to do the repair once.
/my 2cents
EDIT: Looks like KYB GR2's are listed as OEM replacement on rockauto. $50/piece
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/n...ion,strut,7584