Tuition & Textbooks
2023-24 Guide
Background and General Information
Maintaining affordability and offering students a high level of support is critical to keeping students enrolled
and on the path to completion, so Ivy Tech looks for creative ways to address student academic needs. When the
federal government provided the College with Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) funds to address
the Corona virus pandemic, Ivy Tech spent more than half of the funds on direct nancial relief payments
to students to help them meet basic needs. Additionally, the College worked to provide students with free
textbooks for two academic years. In the rst year alone, the College saved move than 132,000 students over
$34.2 million in textbook costs. The textbooks initiative ensures students have their textbooks on the rst day
of class and that all students have what they need to succeed. Year One results of the initiative include:
• Increased the percent of full-time students earning 30+ credits in the fall and spring increased +1.70
percentage points, with even greater improvements for Hispanic students (+5.73), Adult students
(+3.94), Asian students (+3.34), Pell-eligible students (+3.05), State Aid students (+2.66), and Black
students (+2.06).
• Increased course success rates improved for full-time students by +.25 percentage points with greater
results for Hispanic students (+1.29), Black students (+1.29), Multiracial students (+1.16), State Aid
students (+.95), Adult students (+.65), and 21st Century Scholars (+.44).
Even though the HEERF dollars have expired, Ivy Tech continued to negotiate an unprecedented rate on
textbooks. Beginning in Fall 2023, eligible students will be assessed the Ivy+ Textbooks Fee. The Ivy+
Textbooks model evenly distributes and balances cost savings across all programs and courses for students,
along with day-one access that will help students start the year off right. Eligible students will be assessed the
$17 per credit hour Ivy+ Textbooks Fee.
Dual credit, KLLM, skills training, and building/construction trade apprenticeship students are excluded from
the Ivy+ Textbooks model.
Key Benets of Ivy+ Textbooks
• Student Success: Students will have day-one access to required digital textbooks through the Ivy+
bookshelf in IvyLearn, which can better equip students to succeed in their courses.
• Seamless Student Experience: Instead of shopping around for textbooks and pricing information,
Ivy+ Textbooks provides day-one access to all required course materials directly in IvyLearn in a
seamless experience.
• Student Flexibility: Ivy+ Textbooks is a digital-rst model, but students who prefer physical copies
can purchase low-cost print (or loose-leaf print) options at any Ivy Tech bookstore.
• Signicant Cost Savings: The 2023-24 Ivy+ Textbooks Fee is only $17 per-credit-hour.
• Predictability: Instead of wondering how much textbooks will cost each semester, Ivy+ Textbooks
offers one at per-credit-hour fee, which makes textbook costs predictable.
Process
Step 1: Register for classes via Schedule Builder or visit MyIvy or the class search page for more information
about registering for courses.
Step 2: Once registered, check your @ivytech.edu email for information from Barnes & Noble. The email will
be sent within 24 hours of registering. It will include your schedule and textbook conrmation details.
Students must conrm in the BNC Textbooks Portal. Conrm your Ivy+ Textbooks order begins 30 days
before start of each semester.
Step 3: Login to IvyLearn to access your digital course materials in the Ivy+ Bookshelf. For physical materials, an
email will be sent to your @ivytech.edu email address when your order is ready for pickup or to notify
you when it ships. Classes open in IvyLearn two days before the start of class.
Step 4: After conrmation, the textbook will be available 30 days before the start of each semester.
Textbook Options:
o Digital textbooks will be delivered automatically within IvyLearn – no shipping required.
o To receive a printed textbook, students must respond to the Barnes & Noble email to select their
delivery preference. This also applies if the class requires print materials. Students can pick the
textbook(s) up in their Ivy Tech bookstore or have them shipped directly to them.
Step 5: Students will receive an email notication when their printed textbook is ready or has been shipped.
Step 6: If a student registered within 30 days of the start of the term, they need to allow approximately 24 hours
for the email to be sent after completing their registration. This provides time for the bookstore to
receive the class registration and prepare the course material list in the Ivy+ program. If a student logs
into IvyLearn and does not see their textbooks, they need to try again within 24 hours of registering.
Step 7: To access their digital textbook, the student must login into IvyLearn and go to the Ivy+ Bookshelf. For
physical materials, the student will receive an email when their textbook is ready for pickup or when it
has shipped. Classes open in IvyLearn two days before the start of class.
FAQs
Who is eligible for Ivy+ Textbooks?
The majority of full and part-time students are eligible for Ivy+ Textbooks. Students who do not pay tuition,
such as dual credit or skills training (non-credit) students, are not eligible for Ivy+ Textbooks. KLLM students and
building and construction trade apprenticeship students are also not eligible, as materials for those courses are
provided by the programs.
What is included in Ivy+ Textbooks?
Ivy+ Textbooks is a digital-rst model that includes the costs of all required textbooks. If a digital version of a
textbook is not available, a physical textbook will be provided to students as a rental with an optional purchase
at the end of the term. Course materials that are recommended but not required, program fees, course fees,
and other consumable fees (i.e., exam fees, proctoring fees, nursing scrubs, welding rods) are not covered in
Ivy+ Textbooks.
Did Ivy Tech remove the Technology Fee?
Yes. The technology fee has been restructured to be part of the tuition rate. This change creates savings for
students since all students were originally charged this fee regardless of how many credits they took.
Did Ivy Tech remove the Online Fee of $20?
Yes. The $20 per credit hour distance education fee for select modalities, including online classes, will no longer
be a separate fee but become part of the tuition rate.
Is the $17 per credit hour book fee separate from the new tuition rate?
Yes, the $17 per credit hour book fee will be separate from the new tuition rate. After registering for classes,
students will receive an email from Barnes & Noble with the corresponding textbook and conrmation details.
For the Summer term moving forward, it looks like the “yearly” cost in the email is for two terms vs. three.
I’m assuming summer term is structured the same way, or is it different?
Summer term is structured the same as fall and spring semesters.
How does Ivy+ Textbooks work with the bookstore?
After registering for classes, the bookstore will began preparing the course materials and will send the student an
information email within 24 hours. This email will conrm their textbook order and give them further instruction
if the student wishes to have their textbook printed. If the student wishes to receive printed material, they must
select that option when prompted.
Who should I contact if I’m having trouble accessing my textbooks?
• First, check your Ivy Tech email for important Ivy+ information, including info about additional
resources.
• Questions regarding the BNC Ivy+ Student Portal should be directed to the Barnes & Noble team.
• Technical questions should be sent to the Education Technology Team.
Can I still have a choice of materials?
Yes. Although Ivy+ Textbooks is a digital rst model, printed textbooks or loose-leaf print options are available.
How do I access my digital textbooks?
• Digital textbooks are available through the IvyLearn dashboard. To access, simply click on an eBook
or select digital content in IvyLearn to access it. If an access code is required, a pop-up window will
appear to prompt the student to enter the code to access. Features such as highlighting, read aloud,
and note-taking, will vary based on the publisher and digital platform.
• Quick guides and video tutorials are also available in IvyLearn, and knowledge base articles in
MyIvy provide more information about using digital textbooks.
How do I access a print version/loose-leaf version?
If a textbook is being offered digitally, students can still opt for a loose-leaf print (also called low-cost print)
version. Students can order physical books in the Ivy+ BNC Student Experience Portal and either pick them up
at their local Ivy Tech bookstore or have them shipped directly to them. If a loose-leaf print option is unavailable,
the student can work with your campus bookstore for an alternative print option.
If I receive a physical textbook, can I buy them at the end of the semester?
Yes. With Ivy+ Textbooks, print textbooks are available as rentals, which can either be returned or purchased
at the end of a term. Students will receive an email from Barnes & Noble before the end of the term with
instructions for either option. Purchase prices are discounted and vary by publisher. Materials such as lab
manuals and workbooks are considered single-use items and do not need to be returned.
Do I need to return my lab manuals or workbooks?
No, lab manuals and workbooks are considered single-use items and do not need to be returned.
How do I return physical textbooks and when are they due back to the store?
Students will receive email instructions from Barnes & Noble before books are due and can return rental
textbooks two ways:
• In the mail: Barnes & Noble emails include a shipping label, which can be printed and used to mail
books back to one of the 19 campus bookstore locations.
• At the bookstore: Students can bring textbooks to any Ivy Tech Barnes & Noble Bookstore and follow
signage to the drop-off location. If an Ivy Tech campus does not have a bookstore, Barnes & Noble will
designate a space with drop-off times and details.
What happens if I do not return the textbooks by the due date?
Students are required to return any Ivy+ rental textbooks. If they do not, a hold will be placed on their Ivy
Tech student account that may prevent registration until the student either returns the materials or pays the
replacement cost. To remove the Ivy+ Textbooks Rental Hold, a student needs to take the following actions.
• Return the material: Students can return their Ivy+ Textbooks Rental to any Ivy Tech bookstore
location. Students can also return materials via shipping. For shipping details, the student must contact
their local bookstore for instructions.
• Pay the hold balance: Students can pay the remaining balance for their unreturned Ivy+ Textbooks
Rentals directly with Barnes & Noble. For balance details and to pay the balance, students must
contact their local bookstore.
• Purchase your textbook rental: Students can also purchase their rented textbook at a discounted price
by working directly with the bookstore. Students must contact their local bookstore for instructions on
purchasing their textbook rental.
If my class next semester is going to use the same textbook, do I still need to return it?
Yes. However, students can use the same textbook for two consecutive 8-week classes falling within the same
16-week semester. Books are rented on an 8-week term or 16-week semester basis. Unless the material is only
available in print form, digital textbooks are the recommended option for a continuous class.
After a course has ended, students have the option of returning the print book or purchasing it at a discounted
rate, based on publisher pricing. Materials such as lab manuals and workbooks are considered single-use items
and do not need to be returned.
What if I change my schedule/class?
Approximately 24 hours after making a schedule change, the student will receive an email to their ivytech.edu
email from the bookstore with instructions and next steps. If the student has withdrawn from a course that uses
printed materials, they will be directed to return those materials to the bookstore in unopened packages. If
adding a class, the student will be directed to conrm their new materials for the course and select shipping or
in-store pickup.
Can I use nancial aid to pay for other materials I need from the bookstore?
Yes. If a student has nancial aid available, it can be used in the bookstore, either in-store or on the Barnes &
Noble website. Any nancial aid (e.g., Pell grant, state nancial aid, student loans, other grants, scholarships,
etc.) will be applied to the student’s tuition and required fees rst. The student can still use remaining nancial
aid for any other materials or supplies at the bookstore at Barnes & Noble pricing.
How do I contact the bookstore about my Ivy+ Textbooks order?
For questions about the BNC Ivy+ Student Portal, contact the Barnes & Noble team.
What if I need accessible textbooks?
Accessible Format Textbooks are available for students with disabilities. Eligibility and requests are handled
by Disability Support Services.
Which items are excluded from Ivy+ Textbooks?
Ivy+ Textbooks does not include supplies such as lab goggles, dissection kits, model kits, engineering or nursing
kits, or other items that cannot be returned and reused. It also does not cover textbooks that are not required
for courses.
Helpful Links
Local Bookstore Contact Info
Ivy+ Faculty & Staff FAQ Page
Ivy+ Student FAQ Page
Ivy+ Tuition & Textbooks General Info
