On Tuesday, the Office of the Provost announced the implementation of the Digital Course Materials Program, set to begin in the fall 2025 semester. The program gives students access to classroom materials for a $292 flat rate fee, which the USC Bookstores website calls “the lowest price available.”
According to the email announcement, USC has negotiated with several publishers to provide low prices for course materials. The Office says that the program will save the “average student” 60% of usual costs.
Students are automatically enrolled in this program but are able to opt out of this fee during the add-drop period at the beginning of each semester. In addition to this, students who do not have any required textbooks will be exempted from the fee.
Cameron James Bassett, a senior studying history, says that the program is “a double-ended sword.”
Bassett says he spent $400 on course materials his freshman year, which he only used once. Since then, Bassett has no longer bought full course materials, citing how expensive they can be for low-income students.
“It just felt like a waste.”
However, Bassett suggested that the program could be beneficial for students who need it. “I think it’s a good idea, but if I have a choice, [and] if I wasn’t graduating, I would opt out,” Bassett said.
Avani Khorona, a sophomore studying communications, also sees the potential benefit of this program for other students. “I think [it’s cost-effective] for people that really do need to use their textbooks a lot,” Khorona said.
However, Khorona also says that she plans to opt out of the program. Maya Din, a sophomore studying communications, echoed these sentiments.
“I feel like I can get most of my textbooks for less [than $292],” Din said. Din also plans to add up the prices on her own, and pay out of pocket instead of opting out of the Digital Course Material program.
According to the USC Bookstores website, materials will be digital, unless they are only available in the physical format.
Din says that she doesn’t like how all of the materials are digital. “If I’m reading a book for my English class, I don’t want it to be digital,” Din said.
USC PR referred all questions to the Digital Course Materials Program page on the USC Bookstore website.