We are excited to announce an expansion of our Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Initiative to include a new designation: Low Textbook Cost (LTC). This addition aims to further support our commitment to making education more affordable and accessible for our students.

Low Textbook Cost

Group high fiving

The LTC designation applies to courses where the total cost of instructional materials is $40 or less, based on the pre-tax retail price of new materials available from the bookstore. Students are not required to purchase their materials from the bookstore; this benchmark is used for consistency.

Starting Fall 2025, classes can be labeled as Low Textbook Cost (LTC) even if they do not meet the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) threshold. Students will be able to search for courses with either designation in the published timetable, allowing them to choose options that best meet their financial needs.

Key Points

  • Eligibility: Any course section and instruction format may be eligible for the LTC designation.
  • Linked Courses: Lectures and associated labs will be designated separately based on their materials.
  • Printing Costs: Sections using free digital materials but requiring students to print some or all of the course materials may qualify as LTC if the printing costs are expected to be under $40.

What Does This Mean for You?

Starting in Fall 2025, you can indicate if your course is LTC at the same time when you specify if a course is ZTC.