Affordable Access programs help colleges and universities provide students with all their required course materials on or before the first day of class at below-retail prices. 

These programs may include digital textbooks, print materials, courseware, or other required learning resources or supplies and equipment depending on the course and campus model. More than 1,500 institutions nationwide use Affordable Access programs to help lower costs, improve convenience, and support student preparedness and success. 

1. Kelly L. Denson. Inclusive Access Supports Student Success. September 2022.

2. Student Watch. Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Course Materials. June 2023.

Affordable Access is an umbrella term for course material programs that may also be called Inclusive Access, Equitable Access, Course Access, Total Access, or Day-One Access. 

Course Access programs (also known as Inclusive Access) are generally offered on a course-by-course basis, while Total Access programs (also known as Equitable Access) are campus-wide or program models that provide all students with their required course materials for one low, predictable flat rate. Both models are designed to help students obtain their required materials by the first day of class at discounted prices. 

Yes. Affordable Access programs are designed to lower the cost of required course materials by allowing institutions to negotiate bulk discounts for students. 

A 2025 study found that students participating in Affordable Access programs save an average of 36% on course materials and textbooks, reducing costs from $91 to $58 per course on average.  

Nationwide, Affordable Access programs helped students save more than $470 million from 2020-2024. 

Colleges and universities use these programs to help lower textbook costs, make course materials easier for students to access, and ensure students are prepared when classes begin. 

Before these programs became more widely available, textbook costs rose sharply and many students delayed or skipped buying required materials because of cost. Affordable Access programs give institutions the opportunity to negotiate better pricing and deliver materials directly to students on or before the first day of class. 

No, students are not forced to participate in Affordable Access programs. These programs typically provide automatic access to required materials at the start of the term, but students have the ability to opt out during the designated opt-out period. 

The opt-out period usually lasts through the end of the drop/add period, often two to three weeks. During that time, students can use the Affordable Access materials for free while they compare prices and decide whether they want to remain in the program or purchase materials another way. This grace period helps ensure students fully evaluate their course materials options without falling behind as classes get underway. 

No. The opt-out process is designed to be simple and accessible. 

Students can typically opt out online through their campus learning management system or another campus platform. Students also receive reminders about the opt-out process and deadline, including through email or learning management system alerts, and in the classroom so they are not surprised by the deadline. 

Yes. Students can compare prices before deciding whether to stay enrolled in an Affordable Access program. All students can use the Affordable Access materials for free through the drop/add period, usually about 2-3 weeks, before they must decide whether they want to participate in the program or opt out. Students can use this grace period to comparison shop for their required materials.  

Federal law requires course material prices to be stated in or linked from the course schedule. Campus stores also maintain textbook ISBN pricing for new, used, rental, and digital formats so students can compare retail prices with the discounted prices available through Affordable Access programs.

Yes. Affordable Access programs help support student success by ensuring students begin class with the materials they need. 

Studies confirm students who do not have required course materials at the start of class can fall behind quickly. Research shows that 84% of students say participating in an Affordable Access program helped them feel better prepared for class, and 81% say the programs helped improve their academic success. 

These programs can be especially beneficial for students who face cost barriers to accessing course materials. Independent research found Affordable Access programs increased course completion rates among Black students by 21% and students over the age of 25 by 6%. One institution profiled in a 2025 report also found that Black and multiracial students were 54% and 50% more likely to pass their courses, respectively, after the college implemented an Affordable Access program. 

Yes, many faculty support Affordable Access programs because they help ensure students are prepared on the first day of class.  According to the 2025 NACS Student Watch report, 57% of students said they were satisfied with their day-one access program experience, and 64% of participants said the access program was better than other methods of obtaining course materials. The top reasons for satisfaction were convenience and having materials on the first day of class. 

No. Affordable Access programs do not take course materials decisions away from faculty. 

Faculty continue to choose the course materials they believe are best for their students. Affordable Access programs are a delivery and affordability model; they help lower costs and ensure students receive the materials selected for their courses on or before the first day of class. They do not restrict or inhibit academic freedom.  

No, Affordable Access programs are not necessarily digital-only. 

Many programs include both print and digital materials depending on the course, campus, availability, accessibility needs, and faculty requirements. While many students appreciate the convenience of digital course materials, Affordable Access programs can provide format options for students, faculty, and course administrators. 

Many Affordable Access programs provide students with extended or lifetime access to certain materials, while others provide access only while the student is enrolled in the course or institution. Institutions and campus stores may also work with students who need access extensions, including students who retake a course. 

Yes. Affordable Access and OER programs can and do thrive side by side. 

Faculty often blend OER with enhanced tools like adaptive courseware and commercial content to reduce base costs and provide flexibility in their instruction, while affordable courseware helps manage workload and deliver interactive functionality that OER alone cannot provide. Blended models allow institutions to pair OER with low-cost tools, so students get the interactive features and academic support they need at a fraction of the price. 

Countless institutions, including California State University, Alamo Community College, and Iowa State University, have successfully integrated access programs and OER to achieve even greater student savings and academic impact. 

No. Affordable Access programs do not prevent institutions or faculty from using free, low-cost, or open educational resources. 

In many cases, OER and other no-cost materials can be incorporated into Affordable Access models to help reduce average costs for students. The goal is not to choose between OER and commercial materials, but to use all available tools to lower costs and support student learning. 

Yes. Affordable Access programs include several transparency measures to help students understand costs and make informed decisions. 

Students receive information about course material costs, opt-out deadlines, and how to compare prices. Federal law also requires course material prices to be stated in or linked from the course schedule, and campus stores maintain ISBN and other identifying information for comparison shopping. 

No; Affordable Access programs are designed to help all students better afford their required course materials, regardless of background or circumstance.  

Affordable Access can be especially helpful for students who might otherwise delay or skip buying required materials because of cost. By providing immediate access on or before the first day of class and allowing students a grace period to use the materials for free, Affordable Access programs help ensure students do not fall behind while they comparison shop for materials to ensure they are getting the best price. Many programs have also expanded grant aid for course materials for low income students.

Yes. Students who use Affordable Access programs report positive experiences and often prefer them to other ways of getting course materials. 

Research shows that 61% of students favor affordable access models, compared with 13% who prefer buying, 11% who prefer renting, and 10% who prefer borrowing course materials. The report also found that 84% of students enrolled in Inclusive Access programs felt satisfied or neutral about their user experience. 

No. Affordable Access programs are designed to provide students with the required course materials assigned for their courses. 

Across Affordable Access models, students receive access to the materials their faculty have selected for their classes. These programs are not designed to charge students for unrelated or unnecessary materials. Depending on the model, students may receive materials on a course-by-course basis or through a broader campus program that covers all required materials for the term. In either case, students have the ability to review their materials, compare prices, and opt out during the designated opt-out period if they decide the program is not the best fit for them. 

Affordable Access programs include important consumer protections while helping students access required course materials at lower negotiated prices. 

Institutions evaluate competing publishers, bookstores, courseware providers, and other course material partners to secure pricing, service, accessibility, and access terms that work for their students. Students are informed about the program and retain the ability to opt out and obtain their materials through other channels if they prefer. 

Yes. Affordable Access programs operate within institutional policies and applicable federal and state privacy requirements, including protections governing student education records. 

Student information is used to provide course materials, support academic services, facilitate accessibility, and communicate important program information. Institutions and their partners are expected to maintain safeguards that protect student information and limit its use to authorized educational purposes. 

Affordable Access programs matter because these programs help lower costs, simplify access, improve student preparedness, and give faculty confidence that students can begin coursework on day one. At a time when college affordability remains a major concern, Affordable Access programs give institutions a practical tool to reduce a significant cost that students must face each semester. 

Students report that Affordable Access programs make it easier to get required course materials and help them start their semesters prepared.  

Research shows that 61% of students favor affordable access models over buying, renting, or borrowing course materials. The report also found that 84% of students enrolled in Inclusive Access programs felt satisfied or neutral about their experience, and students most frequently cited the convenience of not shopping for materials, day-one access, and knowing their course materials are correct as key benefits.