BookPass FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about HCU’s BookPass program.
Cost
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How much does BookPass cost?
Students are automatically enrolled in the BookPass program at the cost of $24 per credit hour regardless of level or program and is billed each semester based on registered courses. This model is designed to save most students money over the course of their college career, but students may opt out of the program each semester if they choose (see “Opt-Out” section below for details.)
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How am I charged for the BookPass Program?
Charges are automatically assessed when you register for classes and will automatically adjust if you add or remove classes. BookPass program fees are paid online via HuskyNet. Tuition and fee refund dates apply. See Payment Portal for more information.
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Can I use financial aid to pay for the BookPass program?
Yes, if you authorize HCU to pay for non-institutional charges. See “Excess Financial Aid” in Student Accounts FAQs for more information.
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One of my classes has no course materials. Am I going to be charged for this class?
Yes, BookPass is billed based on total number of credit hours taken each semester. You may opt-out of the entire semester.
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Do I have to pay for shipping costs for book delivery?
Physical books will be delivered to students enrolled in online courses at no additional cost.
If students enrolled in residential courses prefer to have their physical books shipped directly to them instead of picking up on campus, a $5 shipping fee will apply. In order to do this, students should purchase the “Access Shipping Fee” item from the HCU BookPass Store and their materials will be delivered to their address on file instead of made available for pick up on campus that term.
Materials
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How do I get my materials?
- Electronic materials will be available via the link provided in the Canvas LMS course approximately one week before the start of term.
- Physical materials will be available for pick-up on campus for residential courses beginning one week before the start of term (days and hours will vary for each term) or shipped to students enrolled in online courses at no extra charge. If preferred, students enrolled in residential courses can have physical materials shipped to them instead of picking up on campus for a $5 shipping fee each term. Please refer to the following for more information:
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I have physical textbooks. Where and when can I pick them up?
Physical books and other course materials are made available for pick up in the Lighthouse Lab (second floor of Hinton) the week before classes begin through at least the second week of classes, each session.
Click here to view the BookPass pick up days and times for the current or upcoming session.
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I am not able to pick up books on campus, is there another option?
If a student enrolled in residential courses and can not pick up books during the available distribution schedule, the student may choose to have the books shipped directly to their address for an additional fee of $5. In order to do this, students should purchase the “Access Shipping Fee” item from the HCU BookPass Store and their materials will be delivered to their address on file instead of made available for pick up on campus that term.
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What happens if I drop or add a course?
The BookPass program automatically adjusts materials if a student drops or adds a course.
Please note that BookPass Fees will not be refunded for courses dropped after the start of class, unless the student did not attend the class.
If the student drops a course that has physical materials provided through the program, the student must return the physical materials. If this applies, students will receive an automated email when the course is dropped with instructions on how to return their materials if they have already received them. Students will be responsible for any applicable shipping charges for returning physical materials if required.
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Which course materials are made available and when do I have access to them?
All required course materials are provided as part of the BookPass program. All course materials (physical and digital) will be made available at least one week before classes begin.
Materials designated as recommended or optional by the instructor are not included in the program, but students may purchase these at their own expense through the HCU BookPass Store.
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What if my class requires me to read the materials before the semester begins?
Some HCU courses (for example, Honors College courses) require students to read some of the assigned books before the semester starts. In such cases, we do our best to provide materials for students as far ahead of the standard schedule as possible. We recommend faculty notify us well in advance if they have this requirement.
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Can I keep my digital textbooks once the semester is over?
For digital materials, students will be able to access those materials for a minimum of 180 days (i.e. the semester). Each material’s access is dependent on the publisher’s terms and may well exceed the 180-day minimum.
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Do I have to return physical textbooks once the semester is over?
No, you do not have to return physical textbooks. Students enrolled in the BookPass program will own the physical materials provided to them.
Opt-Out
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How do I opt out of BookPass?
The opt out period begins three weeks before each session begins and ends on the census date for that session. Please note that residential courses and online courses may have different start dates and census dates. Click here for a list of important dates by term.
Opt-out requests must be made through the Follett BookPass Student Portal via this link: accessportal.follett.com/2379.
If one of your courses has physical materials assigned, you will see a message stating that you will need to return your materials. Please submit a support request to the HCU BookPass team for assistance in completing your Opt-Out.
Charges will be removed from the student account within five business days of opting out for the program and once any issued physical materials have been returned.
If it’s your first time using the opt-out portal, please select ‘Create an Account’ and use your @hc.edu email address.
There is no need to opt back into the program for the next semester since students are automatically enrolled in BookPass each semester upon class registration. Because of that, students will need to repeat the opt-out process each semester if desired.
If you have additional questions or need support, please complete the HCU Book Pass Support Request Form and select “opt-out assistance.”
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What do I do with physical books after I opt out?
If you opt out of BookPass and your course materials include physical books, the following actions may apply:
- Do not pick up your books from the on-campus distribution point.
- If you have already picked up your books from the on-campus distribution point, simply return them to a BookPass/Follett representative where you picked them up and be sure to let them know your name and H# for their records.
- If you have received books by mail, you will be responsible for shipping them back to Follett, HCU’s BookPass vendor, at your own expense according to the instructions provided by Follett.
Please note that the BookPass fees are not removed from student accounts until all of the physical materials have been returned. It is advisable to opt-out as early as possible in order to avoid additional costs or refund delays related to returning physical materials.
If you have additional questions about physical material returns, please complete the HCU Book Pass Support Request Form and select “opt-out assistance.”
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Can I opt out for some classes but not for other classes?
No, Bookpass is billed based on total number of credit hours taken each semester. You may only opt out for the entire semester which would include all classes.
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I opted out of BookPass last semester, but I'm being charged for it this semester. What happened?
Students are automatically enrolled in BookPass each semester when they register for classes. Opt-out requests only apply for a period of one semester and must be repeated each semester if desired.
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I opted out of BookPass; How do I opt back in?
Students are automatically enrolled in BookPass each semester when they register for classes. There is nothing you need to do to opt back in to BookPass for the next semester.
If you opted out of BookPass by accident or would like to opt back in to BookPass during the same semester before the opt-out period closes, you may do so in the BookPass student portal or request assistance by completing a BookPass Support Request Form.
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Where can I purchase textbooks if I opt out?
Students are responsible for acquiring their own textbooks or access to other course materials if they opt out of BookPass through whichever means they prefer. Books will no longer be sold in HCU’s campus store and no extra inventory will be available to purchase during BookPass material pick up. However, students may see a list of required books and course materials by class and purchase them from the HCU BookPass Store. For questions or support related to the online BookPass store, please contact Follett customer service directly by email at hcubookpass@bkstr.com or by phone at 1-800-381-5151.
Support
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What if I have another BookPass question or need help with a BookPass product or service?
For the quickest response or resolution to a question or issue with BookPass, please complete the HCU BookPass Support Request Form and a representative will follow up with you as soon as possible. Please note this form requires the @hc.edu email address.
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Where can I find support for products used within the BookPass program?
HCU partners with Follett to provide many of the products and services for our BookPass program. Additional support resources specific to courseware products, the opt-out process, and more are available on Follett’s support website.
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How can I get help with something on the HCU BookPass Store?
The HCU BookPass Store is managed by our preferred course material vendor, Follett. If you need assistance with an online order or have a question related to the online store, please contact Follett customer service by email at hcubookpass@bkstr.com or by phone at 1-800-381-5151.