Frequently Asked Questions

Inclusive Access, also known as automatic textbook billing, is a textbook sales model that adds the cost of digital course content into students’ tuition and fees.

While the details vary campus to campus, IA programs tend to have the same basic structure. On or shortly before the first day of class, digital course content is automatically delivered to students, often through their campus learning management system. Students have a period to “opt out” of the associated charge. If they don’t opt out—or are unable to do so before the deadline—they are automatically billed for the content as part of their tuition and fees. Students typically lose access to the content after their course ends.

The best place to look is your campus bookstore website. Keep in mind that your local program may not be called Inclusive Access. Other common names include First Day, Follett ACCESS, All Access, All Students Acquire, Auto Access, Course Material Fee, Day One Access, Equitable Access, and Immediate Access.

The cost of college textbooks has increased sharply in recent years, forcing many students to skip or delay textbook purchases. Inclusive Access was created by the textbook industry to automatically charge students for access to digital course materials by the first day of class. While this can offer savings compared to print prices and get more students to buy their books, it also raises many questions and challenges that are explored on this website.

The cost of Inclusive Access varies widely depending on how the program is set up, which courses students take, and which materials faculty are able to assign. Students can still pay $100 or more per course for temporary access to digital content. This may be a discount when compared to buying the new print textbook, but the discount is often much smaller when compared to buying the digital version of the same book, and may even cost more than used books, renting, or borrowing. On campuses with flat-fee Inclusive Access programs, the cost can be $20-25/credit hour or $600-750/year.

Federal student aid regulations used to prohibit institutions from charging textbook costs to tuition and fees without first getting student authorization. However, these rules changed in 2016 to allow automatic billing under certain conditions. While this may be allowed, it does not necessarily make it right for all students and faculty. Some states have introduced legislation around Inclusive Access programs, including measures that require institutions to be transparent about Inclusive Access fees or make these programs opt-in.

Visit our Resources page and get the facts about inclusive access for students, faculty, administrators, and policymakers.