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Affordable Course Materials

Affordable Course Materials

Textbooks can be expensive — but did you know many courses at Pikes Peak State College offer more affordable (or even free!) options?  Here’s a quick guide to the three main types of Affordable Course Materials and how you can find Zero Textbook Cost classes when registering.

Know Your Options To Save

Video Overview

This video explains what Open Educational Resources (OER) are, how they can save you money, and how to find these money-saving classes in your course schedule. You’ll also learn how to spot the “No Textbook Cost” tag when registering for classes! 

Types of Affordable Course Materials

At Pikes Peak State College, there are three key ways your course might provide more affordable materials:

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • These are free, openly licensed materials like digital textbooks, videos, and labs.
  • You’ll get access automatically by the first day of class.
  • Created by educators, OERs are completely free to access and use.
  • Your access to the materials will continue even after the semester ends.
  • Classes that use OERs require no additional payment for materials.
Inclusive Access

  • Your digital textbook is included in your course at a discounted price (For example: MyMath Lab)
  • You’ll get access automatically by the first day of class.
  • The cost is added to your course fees, so you don’t have to shop separately.
  • You can opt out if you prefer to buy the book another way (but you’ll lose access to the digital version provided).
Equitable Access

  • You pay one flat fee at the beginning of the semester.
  • That fee gives you access to all required course materials for all of your classes.
  • It’s a great option if you’re taking several courses with required books or codes.

Important!

Not all classes use these options - so it’s important to check each course before you register.

No Textbook cost tag location in navigate

How to Identify “No Textbook Cost” Courses in Navigate

Some classes at Pikes Peak State College use only free materials (like OERs), meaning you won't have to buy any books.

When selecting course section in Navigate, look for the "No Textbook Cost" attribute tag when selecting course sections.

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