Textbook money savers

Free-book classes, automatic textbook charges and how to opt out, and book lending and aid at Arizona colleges, in each college’s own words.

This page only repeats what each college says about its own textbook programs. Programs and deadlines change; every quote links to the official page.

Checked Nov 11, 2026

Your college

14 colleges

1. Find classes with free or low-cost books

How the college marks these classes in its schedule, how to search for them, and degrees built from them.

Maricopa Community Colleges
Covers Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, South Mountain
Official text
How the class is marked
- “Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.”Official page
How to search for these classes
- “scroll down until you find “Textbook Cost” under the “Miscellaneous” heading, where you will see the three following filters: ZTC—Zero Textbook Cost LTC—Low Textbook Cost ($40 or less) OER—Open Educational Resources”Official page
Degrees built from these classes
- “Z Degrees are full academic pathways—typically associate degrees—composed entirely of ZTC-designated courses.”Official page
Two official statements differ: Whether the zero-cost class filter is live
Both are quoted. Ask the college which one applies.
Official text
- “Courses using the 0074 course note should also use the 0060 course note. This filter is still in development.”Official page
- “These new course notes and search functionality are now available in the current schedule.”Official page
Pima Community College
Official text
How the class is marked
- “This class offers Free Open Educational Resources and there is no need to purchase any class materials, they are embedded in the course.”Official page
Yavapai College
Official text
How the class is marked
- “A Z-class is a regular YC course section designated No Cost OER Textbooks”Official page
How to search for these classes
- “Choose No Cost OER Textbooks to limit results to designated Z-class sections.”Official page
Degrees built from these classes
- “A Z-degree is a degree pathway designed so students can select Z-class sections throughout the program and potentially complete the degree without traditional textbook costs.”Official page
Grand Canyon University
Official text
How the class is marked
- “No Text Required - No textbook is needed.”Official page

2. Automatic textbook charges

Some colleges add course materials to your bill unless you opt out. What each program is, what it charges, how to opt out and the deadline, quoted.

Arizona State University
Official text
What the program is
- “ASU's Inclusive Access program is designed to deliver required digital materials to students at the lowest possible price.”Official page
What it charges
- “any student who hasn't actively opted out of the program pays for the material at the discounted price via a charge that posts to their student account.”Official page
How to opt out
- “By enrolling in a class participating in the program, students are automatically opted into the program. For most classes, an opt-out option is offered.”Official page
Opt-out deadline
- “The opt out period will open approximately 5 days prior to the start of the semester and run through the semester's Drop Deadline (as listed in the Academic Calendar)”Official page
Northern Arizona University
Official text
What the program is
- “NAU Axe/ess is a new course materials provisioning program for all students enrolled at NAU’s Flagstaff or Online campuses in undergraduate coursework.”Official page
What it charges
- “NAU Axe/ess prioritizes digital content and charges the student account a flat rate of $270 for the Fall or Spring semester and $95 for the summer term for all required course materials.”Official page
How to opt out
- “Opting out of NAU Axe/ess removes automatic access to ALL mandatory course materials and cannot be selected on a class-by-class basis.”Official page
Opt-out deadline
- “Students who do not wish to participate may opt out by the published deadline (generally the Last Day to Drop Courses without a “W”) each term with no penalty.”Official page
Two official statements differ: The opt-out deadline
Both are quoted. Ask the college which one applies.
Official text
- “Students wishing to opt out of the program may do so here through the end of the current term’s Add/Drop period”Official page
- “Students who do not wish to participate may opt out by the published deadline (generally the Last Day to Drop Courses without a “W”) each term with no penalty.”Official page
University of Arizona
Official text
What the program is
- “Pay One Price is a digital-preferred, flat rate course materials program for all students taking a Main Campus undergraduate course, regardless of your major.”Official page
What it charges
- “Pay One Price provides a predictable cost of $275 for each semester (Fall & Spring).”Official page
How to opt out
- “Opting out of Pay One Price applies to ALL your classes and is not done on a class-by-class basis.”Official page
Opt-out deadline
- “To avoid paying for the digital materials you must opt-out through your D2L course homepage (d2l.arizona.edu/d2l/home) before the refund deadline. Note, each session 7W1, MAIN, 7W2, etc. has its own opt-out deadline.”Official page
Maricopa Community Colleges
Covers Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, South Mountain
Official text
What the program is
- “Like LTC, this cost estimate does not include optional purchases, supplies, lab fees, calculator rentals, or Inclusive Access course fees.”Official page
Pima Community College
Official text
What the program is
- “You may be able to opt-out of the purchase of course materials provided via the Inclusive Access method (when a course fee is added to ensure that every student has access to the required textbook on day one)”Official page
What it charges
- “The course material fees will be billed directly to a student's account.”Official page
How to opt out
- “You can't opt-out until D2L opens your course on the first day of the term.”Official page

3. Borrow or get help paying

Library textbook lending and reserves, and programs that let you use aid for books early.

Arizona State University
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “If you would like to see if ASU Library has a copy, or access to a copy, of your textbook(s) for use or checkout, follow the steps below.”Official page
Northern Arizona University
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “it is on Course Reserve and you can borrow it for a short period of time, normally 2 hours or overnight.”Official page
University of Arizona
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “LIBRARY: The University of Arizona Library and Campus Store partner to find the lowest price option on textbooks. See if the library has digital copy of your book free.”Official page
Arizona Western College
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “The AWC-NAU Academic Library may carry some textbooks on reserve for student use.”Official page
Help paying for books
- “Students receiving financial aid will receive 25% of their refund to help cover the cost of textbooks and supplies, followed by a second disbursement of the remaining 75%.”Official page
Eastern Arizona College
Official text
Help paying for books
- “EA students can charge up to $500 worth of books at our campus bookstore to your student account, whether you have financial aid or not.”Official page
Maricopa Community Colleges
Covers Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, South Mountain
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “Your professor can place your textbook or reserve item at the library reserve desk, where you can check it out for a period of two hours and even make free scans of several pages or a chapter within the library.”Official page
Help paying for books
- Source dated 2026–2027“The book advance is a pre-disbursement program that allows you to use a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies for the semester’s upcoming classes.”Official page
- Source dated 2026–2027“2026-2027 Book Advance Amounts Semester Enrollment Level # of Credits Maximum Amount per Semester Full Time 12 or More Credits $492”Official page
Two official statements differ: When the book advance pays out
Both are quoted. Ask the college which one applies.
Official text
- “you will receive them no earlier than five days prior to the start of your earliest class at the college where you are receiving your federal financial aid.”Official page
- “If you opt in, we will disburse your book advance money as early as nine business days before the start of classes.”Official page
Mohave Community College
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “Course Reserve items can generally be checked out for 2–4 hour periods.”Official page
Northland Pioneer College
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “If your instructor has placed items on reserve at the library for your class”Official page
Pima Community College
Official text
Borrow from the library
- “If the textbook is part of our RESERVES collection, you will only be able to borrow it for a few hours at a time and will need to use it in the campus library.”Official page
Help paying for books
- “The program allows early access to a portion of a student's financial aid funds in order to purchase required books and supplies for their upcoming semester.”Official page

Colleges we couldn’t confirm

We couldn't confirm this college's textbook programs online. Ask the campus bookstore or library about low-cost options.

Central Arizona College
Cochise College
Coconino Community College

General ways to spend less on books (used copies, rentals, checking the ISBN): Never pay bookstore sticker

Programs, prices and deadlines change. Every quote links to the official page, which has the final word.

Also useful

What’s due before your aid pays: Your first college bill
When your aid refund arrives: Your aid refund, explained
Can’t pay an application or deposit fee? Fee waivers
Microsoft 365, Adobe and other software your college lists for students: Free software at your college

1. Find classes with free or low-cost books

How the college marks these classes in its schedule, how to search for them, and degrees built from them.

Maricopa Community Colleges

Covers Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, South Mountain

Official text

How the class is marked: “Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.”Official page
How to search for these classes: “scroll down until you find “Textbook Cost” under the “Miscellaneous” heading, where you will see the three following filters: ZTC—Zero Textbook Cost LTC—Low Textbook Cost ($40 or less) OER—Open Educational Resources”Official page
Degrees built from these classes: “Z Degrees are full academic pathways—typically associate degrees—composed entirely of ZTC-designated courses.”Official page

Two official statements differ: Whether the zero-cost class filter is live

Both are quoted. Ask the college which one applies.

Official text

“Courses using the 0074 course note should also use the 0060 course note. This filter is still in development.”Official page
“These new course notes and search functionality are now available in the current schedule.”Official page

Pima Community College

Official text

How the class is marked: “This class offers Free Open Educational Resources and there is no need to purchase any class materials, they are embedded in the course.”Official page

Yavapai College

Official text

How the class is marked: “A Z-class is a regular YC course section designated No Cost OER Textbooks”Official page
How to search for these classes: “Choose No Cost OER Textbooks to limit results to designated Z-class sections.”Official page
Degrees built from these classes: “A Z-degree is a degree pathway designed so students can select Z-class sections throughout the program and potentially complete the degree without traditional textbook costs.”Official page

Grand Canyon University

Official text

How the class is marked: “No Text Required - No textbook is needed.”Official page

2. Automatic textbook charges

Some colleges add course materials to your bill unless you opt out. What each program is, what it charges, how to opt out and the deadline, quoted.

Arizona State University

Official text

What the program is: “ASU's Inclusive Access program is designed to deliver required digital materials to students at the lowest possible price.”Official page
What it charges: “any student who hasn't actively opted out of the program pays for the material at the discounted price via a charge that posts to their student account.”Official page
How to opt out: “By enrolling in a class participating in the program, students are automatically opted into the program. For most classes, an opt-out option is offered.”Official page
Opt-out deadline: “The opt out period will open approximately 5 days prior to the start of the semester and run through the semester's Drop Deadline (as listed in the Academic Calendar)”Official page

Northern Arizona University

Official text

What the program is: “NAU Axe/ess is a new course materials provisioning program for all students enrolled at NAU’s Flagstaff or Online campuses in undergraduate coursework.”Official page
What it charges: “NAU Axe/ess prioritizes digital content and charges the student account a flat rate of $270 for the Fall or Spring semester and $95 for the summer term for all required course materials.”Official page
How to opt out: “Opting out of NAU Axe/ess removes automatic access to ALL mandatory course materials and cannot be selected on a class-by-class basis.”Official page
Opt-out deadline: “Students who do not wish to participate may opt out by the published deadline (generally the Last Day to Drop Courses without a “W”) each term with no penalty.”Official page

Two official statements differ: The opt-out deadline

Both are quoted. Ask the college which one applies.

Official text

“Students wishing to opt out of the program may do so here through the end of the current term’s Add/Drop period”Official page
“Students who do not wish to participate may opt out by the published deadline (generally the Last Day to Drop Courses without a “W”) each term with no penalty.”Official page

University of Arizona

Official text

What the program is: “Pay One Price is a digital-preferred, flat rate course materials program for all students taking a Main Campus undergraduate course, regardless of your major.”Official page
What it charges: “Pay One Price provides a predictable cost of $275 for each semester (Fall & Spring).”Official page
How to opt out: “Opting out of Pay One Price applies to ALL your classes and is not done on a class-by-class basis.”Official page
Opt-out deadline: “To avoid paying for the digital materials you must opt-out through your D2L course homepage (d2l.arizona.edu/d2l/home) before the refund deadline. Note, each session 7W1, MAIN, 7W2, etc. has its own opt-out deadline.”Official page

Maricopa Community Colleges

Covers Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, South Mountain

Official text

What the program is: “Like LTC, this cost estimate does not include optional purchases, supplies, lab fees, calculator rentals, or Inclusive Access course fees.”Official page

Pima Community College

Official text

What the program is: “You may be able to opt-out of the purchase of course materials provided via the Inclusive Access method (when a course fee is added to ensure that every student has access to the required textbook on day one)”Official page
What it charges: “The course material fees will be billed directly to a student's account.”Official page
How to opt out: “You can't opt-out until D2L opens your course on the first day of the term.”Official page

3. Borrow or get help paying

Library textbook lending and reserves, and programs that let you use aid for books early.

Arizona State University

Official text

Borrow from the library: “If you would like to see if ASU Library has a copy, or access to a copy, of your textbook(s) for use or checkout, follow the steps below.”Official page

Northern Arizona University

Official text

Borrow from the library: “it is on Course Reserve and you can borrow it for a short period of time, normally 2 hours or overnight.”Official page

University of Arizona

Official text

Borrow from the library: “LIBRARY: The University of Arizona Library and Campus Store partner to find the lowest price option on textbooks. See if the library has digital copy of your book free.”Official page

Arizona Western College

Official text

Borrow from the library: “The AWC-NAU Academic Library may carry some textbooks on reserve for student use.”Official page
Help paying for books: “Students receiving financial aid will receive 25% of their refund to help cover the cost of textbooks and supplies, followed by a second disbursement of the remaining 75%.”Official page

Eastern Arizona College

Official text

Help paying for books: “EA students can charge up to $500 worth of books at our campus bookstore to your student account, whether you have financial aid or not.”Official page

Maricopa Community Colleges

Covers Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, South Mountain

Official text

Borrow from the library: “Your professor can place your textbook or reserve item at the library reserve desk, where you can check it out for a period of two hours and even make free scans of several pages or a chapter within the library.”Official page
Help paying for books: Source dated 2026–2027“The book advance is a pre-disbursement program that allows you to use a portion of your anticipated financial aid to purchase textbooks and supplies for the semester’s upcoming classes.”Official page
Source dated 2026–2027“2026-2027 Book Advance Amounts Semester Enrollment Level # of Credits Maximum Amount per Semester Full Time 12 or More Credits $492”Official page

Two official statements differ: When the book advance pays out

Both are quoted. Ask the college which one applies.

Official text

“you will receive them no earlier than five days prior to the start of your earliest class at the college where you are receiving your federal financial aid.”Official page
“If you opt in, we will disburse your book advance money as early as nine business days before the start of classes.”Official page

Mohave Community College

Official text

Borrow from the library: “Course Reserve items can generally be checked out for 2–4 hour periods.”Official page

Northland Pioneer College

Official text

Borrow from the library: “If your instructor has placed items on reserve at the library for your class”Official page

Pima Community College

Official text

Borrow from the library: “If the textbook is part of our RESERVES collection, you will only be able to borrow it for a few hours at a time and will need to use it in the campus library.”Official page
Help paying for books: “The program allows early access to a portion of a student's financial aid funds in order to purchase required books and supplies for their upcoming semester.”Official page