TEXTBOOK ACCESS PROGRAM FAQS

As part of the Villanova Textbook Access Program, students will pay a standard $20 per credit enrolled fee for required textbook materials for courses, including textbook digital access codes. The program fee is billed directly to students’ accounts. This allows every enrolled student access to all required textbook materials on or before the first day of class.

Once students have selected their courses, their course list will be sent to the Villanova University Shop. The University Shop will gather the required materials. Students must check their Villanova email for details on how to access their course materials for the term. 

All students (except law, EMBA, grad tax, study abroad and non-credit courses) are automatically enrolled in the Villanova Textbook Access Program and the fee is billed directly to your student account.

You will have the opportunity to opt out or opt back in during the drop-add period. See the below FAQ titled “Is the program required or can I opt out of the program?” for more information on how to opt out of the program.

Once you register for your courses, the bookstore will get everything ready for you. One month before classes start, you will receive an email instructing you to select your delivery preference for print materials (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

You will receive confirmation emails sharing details on how to access digital materials in Blackboard.

The book fee will be charged to the student’s account and will be repriced annually to help maximize savings. Fees for the 2025-26 academic year will be $20 per credit enrolled and students will be able to opt out of the program if they purchase their materials individually. The Law School, EMBA, Grad Tax, Study Abroad and non-credit programs are excluded.  

Students will have the opportunity to opt out of the program each semester. Details on how to opt out will be sent to enrolled students at their Villanova email addresses before the start of each semester.

This program offers many benefits to students, including:

• 20-60% lower than equivalent pricing for course materials.
• Deferred student billing directly to student accounts. 
• Course materials are available on day one. 
• Digital platforms offer key features such as highlighting, flashcards and note-sharing.
• Ease of finding and purchasing the correct course materials.

Yes. Students typically save between 20-and 60% based on savings at other schools and thanks to the campus store's relationships with publishing partners and bulk purchasing power. The program also streamlines the student purchasing process and provides a method to easily access, manage and use all course materials regardless of format or cost. If you feel you can purchase materials for a lower cost, you can opt out of the program and do so.

Depending on your classes and the course materials your faculty requires, you may receive a combination of digital course materials, printed textbooks, printed lab manuals or workbooks. Materials may be rentals requiring you to return them at the end of the semester. Failure to return rentals will result in a replacement cost charge. You will also have the option to purchase rental materials.

Required materials are supplied at the beginning of each term. The materials will be accessible on or before the first day of class. Please continue to check your Villanova email for a message from coursematerials@email.bncollege.com before the start of each term.

Yes, for a flat fee, and you will have the option to choose shipping during the opt-out window in the opt-out/option portal.

Before the start of each term, the University Shop will prepare your course materials for you. Depending on your classes and the course materials required by faculty, you may receive a combination of digital course materials, printed textbooks printed lab manual or workbooks.

All materials will be available on or before the first day of class. Digital materials will be available in Blackboard; physical materials will be available for pick-up in Gary Hall 10A or shipped (for a flat fee - selected in the course materials portal) directly to you. Full details on how to access your digital and/or physical course materials for the term will be sent to your Villanova email.

Most printed materials will be a rental requiring their return, however, you will have the option to purchase the materials. Furthermore, digital materials have an access window set by the publishers, usually around 180 days, but this could be longer or shorter.

Print or digital format is determined based on the adopted material for the specific course before the start of class.

Most digital copies will have a print allowance for students to print on their own (the percentage varies by publisher). The major publishers, McGraw-Hill, Pearson, Cengage, etc, offer low-cost print versions that can be ordered directly from the publisher, or that the bookstore can special order on the students' behalf in instances where a student would need to purchase using scholarship funds or NovaBucks.

If a student has a qualified disability requiring print versions or other accommodations, they should contact Learning Support Services or the Office of Disability Services. If the accommodation requires a print version, then the bookstore will be notified by one of these offices and the student will receive printed materials. If there are other accommodations for the materials, these offices will assist in getting those.

Only materials identified by your professor as “required” are included in the Villanova Textbook Access Program. All “recommended” materials will be available for purchase separately at the Villanova University Shop.

The deadline to return all rental textbooks is the last day of final exams for the semester. Students will receive email reminders ahead of the rental deadline.

Yes, the program provides you with the option to purchase any rental textbooks at a reduced rate during the semester.

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.

All students are automatically enrolled in the Textbook Access program, though you may choose to opt-out. Students must take action to opt out of the program and are then responsible for finding/purchasing their materials independently. 

All students are automatically included in the Villanova Textbook Access Program; however, students can opt out each semester during the opt-out window. The selection window (ability to view course materials in the portal) will open for all returning students on July 28. The opt-out window for returning students is open from July 28 to September 3. Incoming freshmen can opt out from August 15 to September 3. 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. If you are only enrolled in courses starting after September 3, please email the bookstore to opt out during the first week of your course.

Students will receive emails prompting them to view course materials and reminders that they can opt out of the program. The email will come from coursematerials@email.bncollege.com, so you may need to check your spam or junk folders.

Students should email the Villanova University Shop for questions and additional information about opting out.

Students may opt out of the program during specified periods. Please check your Villanova email shortly before a new term begins for additional information on how to opt out. 

For the Fall 2025 semester, the opt-out portal will open on July 28 (August 15 for incoming freshmen and new students) and will close on September 3. Students must opt out by SEPTEMBER 3–exceptions will not be made after the deadline. If you are only enrolled in courses starting after September 3, you will need to email the bookstore to opt out during the first week of your course.

Freshmen and new students will begin receiving communication from the University Shop asking them to view their course materials portal after their course schedules are finalized on August 15.

Students change their opt-out status and opt into the program or follow the instructions found in the opt-out confirmation email received after opting out. Please note you must make your final selection by September 3.

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

When students opt out, the charges will be removed from their V-Bill within 7-10 business days.

Yes, you will have 48 hours to return your textbooks. If you do not return the textbooks, you will be responsible for the Textbook Access program charges and you will be subject to a replacement and non-return processing fee.

If you add or drop a course, that information is automatically transmitted to the bookstore.

• Added courses: Within 24 hours of adding a course, you will receive an email at your email address with details to access your digital materials and/or materials are provisioned directly into Blackboard. For printed materials, you will receive an email at your school email address letting you know when the new print materials are ready for pick-up.
• Dropped courses: For courses dropped before the last day to drop/add/opt-out deadline, access to electronic or digital materials will be automatically disabled. Printed materials must be returned to the campus bookstore.
  

If that course includes printed material, you may need to return on the last day of final exams and make alternative arrangements. If that course includes digital material, the length of access is dependent on those specific materials. Please email the Villanova University Shop for details. 

Please email the Villanova University Shop with any additional questions.