Digital program at Georgia Southern University Store Saves Students More Than $1.3M in Textbook Costs

A digital program offered by the University Store at Georgia Southern University saved students more than $1.3 million in textbook costs during the 2021-22 academic year. 

From August 2021 to May 2022, the Day1Access program helped students save $1,330,991.86 by providing digital course materials at a reduced cost versus traditional textbooks. Since its inception in 2019, the Day1Access program has saved Georgia Southern students more than $2.6 million in required course materials costs.

“The cost of higher education is a major concern, and this is just one way Georgia Southern is trying to lower the financial burden for its students,” said Dr. Carl Reiber, Georgia Southern University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Day1Access is proving beneficial not only for the cost savings for students but is also a way for students to gain access to educational materials no matter where they’re studying.”

Through the program, students gain codeless access to their purchased required course material on the first day of class. Charges are placed on the first day of the month of the term. Students have until the drop/add to “opt out” of the low cost materials. This allows all scholarship and financial aid funds to be applied to cover the material cost. Once purchased, the materials are available through Folio via their My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu account. Students may opt to drop out of the program through the typical drop/add period at the beginning of the semester.

The University Store has ensured that all materials delivered through Day1Access will have the lowest cost to the student possible.

“University Store’s focus is always on providing students with guaranteed service and ensuring they have what they need to be successful at Georgia Southern,” Derick Robertson, director of Retail Services for Georgia Southern University, stated.

Since the spring of 2019, University Store and their partner Willo Labs have provided digital course materials for students of Georgia Southern, removing the hustle and bustle of purchasing physical books at the start of the semester and ensuring students have the information they need to succeed in their studies.

“As our Day1Access program grows, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Willo Labs and ensuring equitable access to course material for all students becomes a campus standard,” Robertson added.

As inclusive access programs like Day1Access continue to grow in higher education, the University Store hopes to expand the program even more in the future.

For more information, visit GSUstore.com.

GSU