Get the facts about Inclusive Access.

“Inclusive Access” is a textbook sales model that adds the cost of digital course content into students’ tuition and fees.

 

While Inclusive Access is intended to address high textbook costs, it also creates challenges for students and faculty. The higher education community deserves to understand the facts.

 
College students raising hands in class

What is Inclusive Access?

Inclusive Access, also known as automatic textbook billing, is a sales model for college textbooks. Digital content is delivered to students by the first day of class, often through a learning management system. Students have a period to “opt out” before they are billed through their tuition and fees. After the end of the course, students typically lose access to the content. This model is widely promoted by major publishing and bookstore companies. Learn more.

Student With Backpack

Does Inclusive Access save students money?

The advertised savings are not always what they seem. Inclusive Access may save money for students who normally buy full-price print textbooks, but it can cost other students more. By automatically charging students for digital texts, Inclusive Access makes it harder for students to save on used books, print rentals, or borrowed copies. Also, marketing materials often base savings on print prices, when the real discount on digital materials is much smaller. Learn more.

 

Decide for yourself.

  • Savings or Spin?

    Inclusive access content is discounted compared to print prices, but not always by much, and prices can rise.

    Read More
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Raising awareness of the facts.

The cost of college textbooks has increased sharply over the last several decades, which has harmed student access and success. Everyone agrees that this is a problem. As higher education leaders consider new textbook sales models that advertise lower costs, the campus community deserves to fully understand how these models impact students and faculty. InclusiveAccess.org is a community-driven initiative to raise awareness about the facts about automatic textbook billing. Learn more by selecting your role below.

Administrators

Faculty

Students

Policymakers

Is automatic textbook billing inclusive? Decide for yourself.

 

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  • "I know they say it's cheaper, but that's not been my case. I pay more for inclusive access, and it's that one-time use that you don't have access to later."

    — Barbara Gooch, Student, Volunteer State Community College (Gallatin, TN)

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