Off-the-Shelf Program

Off-the-Shelf is a course material model that lowers the cost of materials for students and ensures students have access to all of their required course materials on or before the first day of class. Through this new program, physical books will be conveniently packaged and provided to students on a rental basis, and digital materials will be delivered directly within Blackboard. At the end of the term, students will receive email reminders to return their physical course materials to the bookstore.

• Register for your classes and the bookstore will start preparing your course materials
• One month before classes start, you will receive an email instructing you to select your delivery preference (in-store pickup or shipped directly to you)
• An email notification will be sent when your order is ready for pickup or when it ships
• Your digital materials will be delivered for your course(s) with Blackboard.

The program provides all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and digital textbook versions to eligible students.

The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, engineering kits or nursing kits.

$23 per credit hour based on the hours registered each semester.  

The book charge will automatically be assessed to the student's account upon registration. The fee is financial aid eligible. 

All eligible students will be automatically enrolled in the Off-the-Shelf program.

Students can opt-out of the Off-the-Shelf program each semester during the opt-out window.

• Opt-Out window open and close dates for the Fall 2025 semester are: August 1 (open) through August 25 (close).

By opting out, students will not receive their required materials in a convenient package, and access to digital content will be removed after the opt-out window closes.

• Options for purchasing course materials after opting out can be found on the bookstore website. 

To begin the opt-out process, please follow this link (available starting August 1). 

Students will be responsible for purchasing their required course materials through the bookstore.

To change your opt-out status and opt into the Off-the-Shelf program, please visit the opt-out page or follow the instructions found in the opt-out confirmation email you received after opting out. Please note you must make your final selection by August 25 for the Fall Semester.

• The opt-out window for the Fall 2025 semester ends on August 25.

The deadline to return all rental textbooks is the last day of finals. Students will receive email reminders about the rental deadline to their email address.

Yes, the program offers the option to purchase textbooks at a reduced rate during the return period.

Yes, you will still be required to return continuation course textbooks. You will be issued the same title for the next semester of the continuation course.

Students will receive email notifications from the bookstore reminding them to verify their order and choose their fulfillment preference. If the student does not opt out, their materials will be held at the bookstore, and their student account will be charged.

Yes, if you do not opt out, physical materials will be held at the bookstore, digital materials will be accessed through Blackboard, and the student account will be charged.

If course materials have been picked up or delivered for the dropped class, those materials should be returned to the bookstore within 48 hours. You may return the book to the bookstore on the same terms and timelines currently in place. If you drop a class and enroll in a different class, the bookstore will “swap” the required textbooks/codes so that you have what you need.

Yes, you may be eligible to receive a full or a partial refund of your course textbook fee. Refunds will be calculated based on the total hours you’re taking plus the liable portion of your dropped or withdrawn courses. Be sure to check the academic calendar for drop dates to determine your eligibility.

To calculate your refund, please visit Business Services.

Yes, you will have 48 hours to return your textbooks. If you do not return the textbooks, the charges for the bundle will remain on your student account and you will be subject to a replacement and non-return processing fee.

For General Questions about Off the Shelf, please:

• Call the Bookstore at (803) 641-3457.
• Email our team at [email protected]
• Visit the campus Bookstore in the Student Activities Center (SAC)
• Call the Customer Care Team at1-844-9-EBOOKS (1-844-932-6657)

For Student Account questions, visit Business Services.