Textbooks & Class Materials

If you have completed the FAFSA, you may qualify for the Early Book Purchase Program. 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. Eligible students must opt in to the program through their MyPima account and must have funds in excess of tuition and fees due for the upcoming semester. Funds can be available 10 days before the start date of the class(es). These funds are only eligible for use at PCC bookstores.

If you are not using financial aid or you do not qualify for the Early Book Purchase Program, you can consider buying used books or renting books that have a cheaper price than buying new. Please understand that access codes will not work if they are used or rented. Access codes are unique to each user and need to be new. Some classes that use access codes offer a free trial that can then be transferred over when a student enters the code.

The PCC Library may have a copy of your course’s textbook. Physical or hard copies of textbooks in the Library’s collection must be used on campus but you can read, scan or photograph the parts you need at the library until you can get your own copy. To see if your class materials are in the Library’s Reserve collection visit https://library2.pima.edu/search/r.

Your class may use an OER textbook. This is free to you and found in your D2L course. The authors of this textbook have given PCC permission to use and adapt this text. Usually, it is divided into chapters, and each chapter will be a separate PDF. The information on the bookstore website for the course will be similar to "Free Open Educational Resources are requires for this course. Please see your instructor".

It is recommended to purchase your class materials as soon as possible. Students should also not open the packaging until they have been able to confirm with the instructor that it is the correct materials for the course. Sometimes changes can occur right before the semester begins and students can return the class materials for a full refund if it's kept in the original packaging.

If students are utilizing financial aid, they may be eligible for the Early Book Purchase Program. This program is designed to allow students access to funds up to 10 days before the first day of class (before the disbursement date) to purchase class materials. If eligible, students will have a new financial aid requirement in MyPima called Early Book Purchase Program with instructions on how to opt-into the program. Students need to complete this requirement for each academic year. For more information, visit page 17 on the Student Financial Aid Handbook.

If students are utilizing financial aid, they may be eligible for the Early Book Purchase Program. This program is designed to allow students access to funds up to 10 days before the first day of class (before the disbursement date) to purchase course materials. If eligible, students will have a new financial aid requirement in MyPima called Early Book Purchase Program with instructions on how to opt-into the program. Students need to complete this requirement for each academic year. For students purchasing textbooks online there will be an additional payment option called "Financial Aid" for students to select starting 10 days prior to the start of the term, if the student has opted into the early book purchase program (EBPP).  The student will be required to correctly input their student A# to use the book advance at the Barnes and Noble online bookstore if they have excess financial aid, scholarship, or veterans benefit funding.  If a student picks up textbooks in person using the EBPP book advance at one of the campus bookstores, they will be required to show a photo ID for pick-up. For more information, visit page 17 on the Student Financial Aid Handbook.

Each course may use different types of course materials. We want to make sure the course materials required for the class are relevant and appropriate and are cost effective. Different types of course materials include:

• hard copy (physical copy) textbooks, 

• digital or e-textbooks or 

• non textbook related materials such as supplies like art utensils, sketchbooks, composition books and calculators. 

To see which course materials, if any are required, visit the "Academics" section in MyPima located under the "Students" Tab. Scroll down to the the "Book List" box and there will be a link for each course a student is registered in for that semester. Click on the link and it will open the specific course materials that are required and/or recommended. It will also give information if the course does not require any course materials or if they have not been determined yet. Sometimes prices can vary from what is listed.

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) are distinctive 10 or 13-digit codes used to identify a particular book. These codes and numbers are used to identify the exact item you wish to buy or sell. You can search for your course books by typing the ISBN number into the search bar of the Bookstore website.

The best place to start is in MyPima. Visit the Academics Tab and scroll down to the Book List section. Click on the link for each of your classes and it will take you to the PCC bookstore website for a list of course materials that are required or recommended.

Most classes will have information in the Content section within the D2L course. In the Content section, you can usually find a Get Started or Syllabus Module that will contain information about class materials. To verify if a course uses a textbook or other class materials, review the course syllabus or check the Book List section in MyPima. 

You can purchase materials through the PCC Bookstores. 

You may also be able to find a less expensive used or rental copy of a textbook by searching online booksellers. If you are searching online sellers for your textbook, use the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) instead of the title to ensure you’re getting the correct edition. Textbooks have very similar names and updated versions are released every few years and so searching by title can be confusing and you could wind up with the wrong item. 

Buying used or rental copies will not work for course materials that require an access code - these are generally books with interactive elements like built in quizzes and the codes can not be re-used or shared. 

Sometimes you can borrow a textbook or a similar edition to the required textbook from the Library.

• Search the PCC Library for your ISBN  at https://www.pima.edu/academics-programs/academic-support/library. Click on "Books & More" and search by ISBN ( Example: 9780134696522)​.

• Connect with a Librarian through LibChat for more information.

There are several varieties of digital books. Some need to be purchased and some can be billed at the time of registration with no additional purchase required.

1. Non-interactive PDF of the physical printed book.

2. More advanced digital book that has some interactive sections.

3. The most advanced digital book is more like a website, where a student can choose different paths through the material. This type of book does not usually have a physical version.

Some physical (hard copy) books include a one-time-use code to access digital materials and sometimes codes are available for purchase without the physical book. The bookstore will present students with all options so they can figure out which one is best for them. The access code is usually required. The code is usually specific to the student and may be utilized to capture work in the class. An example can be how a student would complete their homework in a math course. Usually there is an option to purchase access for only a semester or a lifetime access with a slightly higher cost.

The access code is provided in the receipt after purchase and may be called the "order number" or it may come in an email. The wonderful thing about an access code is that students usually receive the code quickly, by email or on the receipt and do not have to wait for the hard copy textbook to arrive, if purchased. Directions to enter access codes into the system vary by publisher. Instructors include directions in the course, usually in the Start Here or Syllabus Module. 

No, students should not buy a used access code as the code is unique to each user. 

Students can find directions on how to enter their access code inside their class in D2L. Most instructors will list it in the "Start Here" or "Syllabus" Module.

If there is a problem with the access code, reach out to the publishers support or help services. Links to the support services are visible in this section.

There should be a "contact us" phone number or email available on the receipt. Call or email the publisher to speak with one of their customer service reps. PCC employees are not able to assist with access code related issues. Also, information may be available on the publisher's webpage listed in the next section.