Welcome to Textbook Affordability
Keeping textbooks and other course materials affordable is a priority at SIUE. Since its inception, the University has maintained a textbook rental program aimed at reducing costs for students. Textbook fees are included in student fees that are charged to all enrolled students. Regardless of the number of books required for their courses, students receive them at no additional cost. Thus, there is no need for students to pay for required textbooks.
For faculty, who develop and manage courses across various degree programs, selecting textbooks and other course materials that meet students’ needs while keeping the textbook rental program within its budget range requires strategic planning. The cost of textbooks and digital courseware, such as online homework platforms, continues to rise, sometimes at an alarming rate. SIUE encourages and incentivizes faculty to look for more affordable solutions where possible.
While more affordable options are not appropriate for all courses, many faculty members have successfully found or even created textbook and digital courseware solutions. Faculty are encouraged to take ownership of the textbooks and courseware they use and to make themselves aware of the costs and benefits of their choices.
Should faculty wish to explore alternative textbook options, SIUE offers incentive programs for adopting OER or Cengage Unlimited course materials, including digital textbooks, digital courseware, and more. Further information about faculty incentive programs can be found under "Open Educational Resources (OER)" or "Cengage Unlimited" on the right side of this page.
