Immediate Access

What is Immediate Access?

Immediate Access is a program focused around improving student learning, course material accessibility, and student outcomes. San Francisco State University and the SFSU Bookstore have partnered with publishers to get students the lowest possible pricing for their course materials, which will be delivered directly through iLearn prior to class start.

Why enroll in an Immediate Access course?

For students and their families, the process of obtaining the materials they need for college classes can be overwhelming, and having those materials on the first day of class has a direct impact on academic success. No longer will students need to worry about getting the wrong book, getting a wrong edition, nor will they worry about spending time going through the process of purchasing their textbooks. With Immediate Access, the books are available to students immediately and at the lowest possible cost in the market, plain and simple.

How do I opt-in to the program, and how are Immediate Access fees assessed?

Students are automatically opted in to the program when they enroll in a course marked as Immediate Access on the class schedule. Charges for course materials will appear on their student account after enrollment; these charges will need to be paid by the add/drop deadline.

How much are the Immediate Access fees?

Immediate Access fees vary from course to course, but generally the materials provided are discounted 10%-20% off of the equivalent digital book format, and up to 25%-60% off of print book equivalents. 

I’m enrolled in an Immediate Access course. How do I access my course materials?

 Within your Immediate Access course in iLearn, there will be a link that will take you to your course material platform. Ask your instructor for assistance in finding this link if needed. If you are very recently enrolled or added into an Immediate Access course, please wait 12-24 hours for your course material access to be granted. 

How do I opt-out of the program?

To preserve student choice, there is a method to opt-out of receiving course materials through the Immediate Access program; however this is not recommended as the Immediate Access course materials are provided at the lowest possible cost in the market. Students will not find a cheaper alternative.

If a student still wishes to opt-out and have their IA course material access revoked, they are able to do so through Follett’s Opt-Portal. After enrolling in an Immediate Access course, students will receive a welcome e-mail containing program details and instructions for how to register for the Opt-Portal. Students have until the add/drop deadline to follow these instructions and submit their opt-out decision.

I’ve opted out, but now want to opt back in. How do I do so?

If you’ve registered for the Opt Portal and have made an opt-out decision, reversing that decision will follow the same process. Log into the Follett Opt-Portal with your same credentials, and select “Opt-In” for the course you wish to opt back in for. Note: your access to the course material should be reinstated within 24 hours.

I’ve opted out, but still have charges pending on my student account. Why?

Charges will be removed from the student account after the add/drop deadline and no later than Census date (3^rd week of instruction). So long as you’ve made your decision to opt-out in the opt-portal, you will not be charged for the materials. 

I’m unable to pay for my Immediate Access fee prior to the add/drop deadline. What happens now?

You will receive a final reminder to pay the balance prior to census date (4th week of instruction), and if Immediate Access fees go unpaid beyond census date, student’s course material access will be revoked. 

I am receiving financial aid for the semester but it has not disbursed as of yet to pay my immediate access course fees. What are my options?

Financial aid recipient are granted a deferment through the 4^th week of the semester for their aid to disburse before being assessed a late fee of $20 by the Bursar’s Office.  If by the 3^rd week your aid has not disbursed to pay your immediate access fee, you may want to consider:

i.      Pay for the Immediate Access fee up front to reduce the possibility of your access being revoked. Once your aid disburses, your out-of-pocket payment will be refunded to you automatically if there are no outstanding obligations due.

ii.      Aid is disbursed every Wednesday. If your aid is not disbursed by the fourth week, you are encouraged to pay your fees to avoid access being revoked.

If I drop an Immediate Access course, do I still need to opt-out or pay the fee?

No. Students who’ve dropped the course do not need to opt-out and will not be charged the fee. Though the Immediate Access charge may still appear on the student’s account, it will be removed after the add/drop deadline and before the Census day (4^th week of instruction). 

I’m having difficulty accessing my course material in iLearn. What should I do?

If you cannot access your course material, please ask your instructor for the contact information of the publisher providing your course material. They will put you in touch with the right person to resolve the issue. 

I’d like a hard copy of my digital book. How do I go about acquiring one?

Course materials for which there is an optional print upgrade will be available for purchase at the Bookstore after the add/drop deadline. Please visit the store at any point to make the request for your Immediate Access print upgrade.