Immediate Access (IA)

What is Immediate Access?

Immediate Access is a program that can make course materials available on the first day of class. It is focused on improving student learning by making course materials available on or before the first day of the semester, thereby improving student success and retention. Chico State and the Wildcat Store have partnered with publishers to get students the lowest possible pricing for their course materials. Digital materials will be delivered directly through Canvas and available on the first day of classes. Print materials can be ordered through the program for a discounted price. 

Why enroll in an Immediate Access course?

For students, obtaining the materials they need for college classes can be overwhelming, and having those materials on the first day of class directly impacts academic success. Students will not need to worry about getting the wrong materials, nor will they worry about figuring out how to purchase their textbooks. With Immediate Access, the books are available to students immediately and at the lowest possible cost in the market, plain and simple.

How do students opt-in to the program, and how are Immediate Access fees paid?

Students are automatically in the program when they enroll in an Immediate Access course. Charges for course materials will appear before the term as semester fees on student accounts. Charges need to be paid before the university census date they will receive a full refund. If they have not paid for the course materials, but opt-out before the university census date, charges will be removed from the student account. Visit the university census webpage for the current semester census dates.

Materials will be paid for with financial aid if a student has sufficient funds in their award. Students who do not have sufficient financial aid funds, or who do not receive financial aid, will need to pay for their materials by the end of the 2nd week of the semester to avoid having a hold placed on their accounts. Payment information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

How much are the Immediate Access fees?

Immediate Access fees vary from course to course, but generally, the materials provided are discounted between 20% to 60%.

How do students access course materials?

Within an Immediate Access course in Canvas, a link will take students to their course materials. Students can ask the instructor for assistance in finding this link if needed. If a student adds an Immediate Access course after the semester has started, they may need to wait 12-24 hours for the course materials to be accessible. 

• How Students Access eBooks
  Tutorials on accessing McGraw Hill eBooks(opens in new window) can be accessed through their website.

How do students opt-out of the program?

Students can opt-out of the Immediate Access program; however, this is not recommended as the Immediate Access course materials are provided at the lowest possible cost in the market. Students are encouraged not to opt-out if the course includes materials that will be part of their course grade.

If a course’s digital materials include access to quizzes, exams, and assignments, opting-out will result in students not being able to complete the course since they will not be able to access any of the required materials.

If a student still wishes to opt-out, they can do so through Follett’s Opt-out Portal. After enrolling in an Immediate Access course, students will receive a welcome e-mail from Follett containing program details and instructions to opt-out. Students have until the university census date of each semester to opt-out and receive a full refund. Visit the university census webpage for the current semester census dates.

If a student opted out, but now they want to opt back in, what do they do?

If a student registered for the Opt-Portal and opted out of the course, reversing that decision will follow the same process. The student will log in to the Follett Opt-Portal with their credentials, and select “Opt-In” for the course.

Note: Access to the course materials should be reinstated within 24 hours.

If a student opted out, what happens next?

If a student already paid for the course materials and opted-out before the university census date they will receive a full refund. If they have not paid for the course materials, but opt-out before the university census date, charges will be removed from the student account. Visit the university census webpage for the current semester census dates.

What if a student cannot pay for their Immediate Access fee by the second week of the semester?

The student will receive a final reminder to pay the balance prior to the university census date. A hold will be placed on the student account if a student cannot or does not pay Immediate Access fees before the university census date. Visit the university census webpage for the current semester census dates.

What are the student options if their financial aid has not been disbursed?

Financial aid recipients will have their course materials fee paid once their award is disbursed. If a student does not have enough aid at the time of their disbursement, the student will need to pay for the course materials. Payment information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

When a student drops an Immediate Access course, do they still need to opt-out or pay the fee?

No. Students who’ve dropped the course before the university census date do not need to opt-out and will not be charged the fee. The Immediate Access charge may still appear on the student’s account, however it will be removed within a week of dropping the course. Visit the university census webpage for the current semester census dates.

What should a student do if they are having difficulty accessing the course materials in Canvas?

If the student cannot access their course materials, they should let their instructor know or contact Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.edu. 

How can a student request a hard copy of their digital book?

A student can contact the Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.edu to request a hard copy of the digital book. The hard copy will cost more and the student will be responsible for paying the Wildcat Store directly.