Inclusive Access

Inclusive Access is a modern approach to delivering digital course content, including interactive courseware platforms and e-books, as an alternative to traditional printed textbooks. This program enables our campus to significantly reduce the cost of course materials while ensuring that every student has seamless access to required content by the first day of class.

By shifting to Inclusive Access, we are modernizing our course materials model—prioritizing both affordability and accessibility, while supporting student success with 21st-century learning tools.

Two Primary Goals of Inclusive Access:

Lower the overall cost of course materials for students.
Enhance access to digital tools that support improved educational outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inclusive Access?
Inclusive Access (IA) provides digital versions of your required course materials at a significantly reduced price — often up to 80% off the cost of printed textbooks. You’ll automatically receive access on or before the first day of class through Blackboard. The discounted cost is conveniently billed directly to your student account..

How to Access Your Inclusive Access (IA) Materials?
Your Inclusive Access (IA) course materials are delivered through the learning management system (LMS), Blackboard, with access beginning on the first day of class. Some courses may require an access code. If so, check your student email for a message from “NDSCS Bookstore” or with the subject line “Inclusive Access Course Material Information.” Your code will be located near the bottom of the email.

Didn't get an email? Search your inbox for "Inclusive Access", "NDSCS Bookstore", or "@verbasoftware.com". If you can't locate the email, contact us at ndscs.bookstore@ndscs.edu.

How much does Inclusive Access cost?
The price varies depending upon the platform and content chosen by the instructor, but Inclusive Access prices are lower than the cost of purchasing access direct from the publisher, and average 50% to 80% below the cost of a new, printed text.

What does it mean to opt-out?
Opt outs are only accepted through the posted deadline for each semester. At the student's request to opt out, the NDSCS Bookstore will issue a refund to their student account. Access to the digital course materials will be revoked at that time, and students will be responsible for finding the required course materials by other means. Students who opt out are not able to purchase a loose-leaf version of the digital course materials (offered with some titles) instead of using the digital copy.

I opted out by mistake and realized that I still need my access. Can I opt back in?
Yes! Go to your IA student portal to view current access status and opt out/in buttons for each course or contact the Bookstore at ndscs.bookstore@ndscs.edu.

I dropped the course. Do I still need to opt out?
Students who drop the course during the normal drop period for the course will automatically be "opted out" and will not be billed. After the drop period, refunds will be applied per the college's tuition cancellation policy.

I added the class late. Can I still opt in?
If you add the course after the opt out deadline for the term, please email the Bookstore at ndscs.bookstore@ndscs.edu.

Who should I contact if I am having trouble with access to the online content?
The Bookstore in conjunction with faculty coordinate the setup with the appropriate course materials vendor. We recommend that you contact your instructor if need assistance to access the content. If you have specific questions related to your billing, then contact the Bookstore.

I have further questions that were not addressed. Who do I contact?
If your question was not answered in this FAQ, please email the Bookstore at ndscs.bookstore@ndscs.edu.

Heads up! While the NDSCS ITS Help Desk is great for general tech support, questions about Inclusive Access (IA) materials should be directed to the Bookstore team — they’re your go-to experts for anything IA-related.

Publisher Support

Click the logos below to be taken to the publisher's online support page.