Resources

What’s The Issue?

More than 1,500 institutions nationwide offer affordable access programs to help students save money on textbooks and course materials. These programs – often called “Inclusive Access” or “Equitable Access” – deliver digital and physical course materials to students on the first day of class at a significant discount compared to retail prices. Millions of college students across the country benefit from the cost savings, ease of access, and convenience offered by affordable access programs.

With skyrocketing textbook costs in the decade leading up to 2016, the Obama-Biden Administration recognized the need to lower costs, and approved regulations to allow institutions to bundle below-market-rate course materials as part of tuition and fees. Since then, affordable access programs have helped drive down student spending on course materials by 57 percent, helping students save over $130 million in the 2022-2023 academic year. 

Student Spending on Course Materials over 10 Years

College students overwhelmingly support the savings and convenience of access programs, with 91 percent saying they found it convenient to have their materials bundled, and 86 percent reporting that access programs made them feel better prepared for class. These programs are also particularly beneficial for underserved students and have helped increase course completion rates for at-risk groups including Black students (up 21 percent) and students over the age of 25 (up 6 percent).

Explore our Resources pages to learn more about the benefits and impact of affordable access programs.