Course material submission deadlines set for summer, fall 2020

The Higher Education and Opportunity Act requires that Augusta University post all textbook information, including ISBN number and price, prior to the start of registration. The university’s JagStore retail operation is responsible for collecting and posting all information.

Please submit all textbook and course information to the JagStore through the Verba Collect online portal, even if it is not an item that will be sold through the JagStore. Every course section should have a submission.

Summer 2020 session course material information is due Feb. 21.

Fall 2020 session course material information is due April 3. 

Please bookmark this link for important textbook information, which is updated each term.

It is important to note that many students rely on financial aid or grants to purchase their textbooks. These students are permitted to charge their books directly to their student account only at the JagStore. 

Please follow these guidelines for submission:

• If no book or course materials are needed, please choose “No Textbook Required.”
• If students are required to purchase an access code directly from a vendor, please include this information. This helps the JagStore better accommodate students who are using financial aid to pay for course materials.
• If you are using an access code or e-text and recommend your students to purchase it directly from the vendor, please provide the ISBN to the JagStore for appropriate listing and to accommodate those who cannot order directly.

Also, here are answers to some of the more common questions the JagStore received about course material submissions and orders:

Q. Why do you need my textbook and course material requisitions so early?
A. When the JagStore has your textbook and course material requisition information in hand early, students can reap the savings benefits in several ways:

• The JagStore is able to pay students more for their textbooks at the end of semester during book buy-back periods. Students receive up to 50% of the purchase price for books that have been adopted for an upcoming semester, are in the current edition and are not overstocked at the bookstore. However, a delay in the receipt of course information means students must sell books to a used book wholesaler at a much lower rate (often less than 15% of the purchase price). Also, students in future academic sessions will have access to a larger supply of used textbooks if the JagStore receives your course information in a timely manner.
• The JagStore is able to offer students more book rental options at a lower cost. Renting course materials is significantly cheaper than purchasing.
• The JagStore is able to search a larger inventory of used books due to its extensive list of trusted textbook vendors.
• Augusta University meets HEOA compliance requirements.

Q. How much do students spend on textbooks?
A. Course materials may represent as much as 40% of a student’s educational expenses.

Q. What can I do to help students save money on textbooks?
A. The JagStore is dedicated to reducing the cost of textbooks and course materials for students. Here’s how you can help:

• Please use caution when adopting special packages or bundles. While these may appear to offer a special value (bonus software or materials from the publisher), when all is considered, the bundles are generally more expensive. Packages and bundles limit the ability to rent books or to locate used textbooks, which are about 25% cheaper. Packages are difficult or impossible to purchase back from students at the end of the academic session. And, lastly, publisher packages and bundles are often not assembled until the order is placed, causing delays or difficulty in shipping, receiving and reorders.
• Please consider using a title for the life of the edition or longer. This allows the bookstore to locate more used copies and purchase more copies back from students at higher values. This practice also allows students to share textbooks among themselves more readily.
• Please consider partnering with colleagues to adopt the same textbook or materials for most sections of a course. This makes textbook sharing easier among students and helps the bookstore locate more used copies of textbooks.
• Please consider the price of the textbook when making decisions. The JagStore can provide estimates on retail and rental prices for any book or course materials. You can also compare books for the best buy for students.
• Please consider making some textbooks an optional purchase for students. The JagStore can post this information, so students have the option on whether to make the optional purchase.
• Please submit textbook requisitions to the JagStore as soon as possible. This allows more time to identify book vendors with the best buy for students. Used textbooks are usually 25% cheaper than new textbooks and are the most effective way to reduce textbook and course material fees. More time also allows the JagStore to secure additional titles for the textbook rental program.
• Please notify the JagStore if a class requires special materials. The more information you provide about course materials, the better the JagStore can help students prepare with the materials they need for success.

While the JagStore staff does not aim to influence course material choices, there are steps that can help reduce the cost of textbooks for Augusta University students.

For more information, contact the JagStore at 706-737-1611.