Coming Spring 2027: SmartAccess+

SmartAccess+ is Cal State Fullerton’s flat-rate course materials program. For the fall and spring semesters, enrolled students pay a flat fee for all eligible required books: $245 for undergraduates and $145 for graduate and credential students. The program launches in Spring 2027.

Undergraduate and graduate students taking courses with eligible course materials are automatically enrolled in SmartAccess+. Extension and Continuing Education students are not eligible for the program.

• SmartAccess+ includes all required digital, print, and open educational resource (OER) content. Items such as lab manuals, access codes, and course packs are included if requested by the faculty.
• Course supplies like lab coats, goggles, art supplies, and lab notebooks are not included.
• Print materials are yours to keep — there’s no need to return them at the end of the semester. You can also sell them back through textbook buyback programs (if eligible) to help reduce costs.

• Predictable Pricing – One flat rate per semester means no surprises.
• All-in-One Convenience – No more searching across websites or stores for your course materials.
• Supports Academic Success – Get everything you need by the first day of class to start strong.
• Sustainability-Focused – SmartAccess+ supports the CSU’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

Participation in SmartAccess+ is optional, but students are automatically enrolled. You can choose to participate each semester based on your needs. If your professors have assigned few materials, consider SmartAccess Flex, which lets you select specific courses to keep access. You may also choose to fully opt out of the program.

Opting out means choosing not to participate in the program. Opting in means choosing to remain enrolled in the program.

You have until the university’s add/drop deadline to finalize your SmartAccess+ participation. Spring 2027 program participation decisions can be made November 30, 2026 through February 9, 2027. View How to Change Options and Opt-out.

No, all students are automatically enrolled in SmartAccess+ each semester. If you choose not to participate, you must opt out by the add/drop deadline.

SmartAccess+ costs $245 per semester for undergraduates and $145 for grad and credential students. If you choose the SmartAccess Flex a la carte option, your cost will depend on the individual titles you choose to retain access to.

Because all students are automatically enrolled, the SmartAccess+ charge is applied to your student account before the semester begins. If you switch to SmartAccess Flex or opt out, your student account will be updated to reflect the change within 1-2 business days.

If you receive financial aid, your disbursement may cover the full SmartAccess+ charge. If any balance remains, you’ll need to pay the difference on your student account.

• No. Faculty retain full academic freedom with this program and can continue to select the materials that best suit their course. All textbook options remain available for adoption including paid publisher content and free/open educational resources (OER).
• Only required titles are included in the program. Optional, recommended, out-of-print, and titles with limited availability are not included, but can still be requested and will be sold separately.
• NOTE: Old editions have limited availability. The most recent editions will be provided to ensure access.

• There are no changes to the adoption process. Each academic department manages the adoption submission process differently. If you are unsure of your department’s process, please consult with your department’s administrative coordinator.
• Note: SmartAccess+ is a digital first program. This is necessary to ensure students pay lowest possible price for the program. If the content you adopt is available in digital format, it will be provided digitally, either as a free library resource or a paid digital content.

Yes. You can continue to use the same content as in previous semesters.

• For OER, in the Comments Field of the adoption tool, provide the link to the material being used.
• For library resources, in the Comments Field of the adoption tool, provide the link to the material being used. If you do not have the specific link note this in the comments and we will work with the Library staff to obtain the proper link.

Using the same process for submitting adoptions to cancel what is no longer needed. It is important to do this as soon as possible to ensure that the program is not paying for content that is not being used.

SmartAccess+ is a digital first program to ensure the lowest price possible for students. If you have an instructional need for print-only material, please email smartaccess@fullerton.edu so that staff can identify the best solution.

The use of OER and other free library resources combined with paid content helps drive down the overall cost of course materials benefiting all CSUF students. Students’ course material needs will vary from term to term and while your specific course may not utilize paid content, their other courses may require paid content. The goal of the program is to improve access to all required content for all CSUF students at an affordable price. Students will need to evaluate their course material needs each term to determine if they benefit from staying in the program, moving to the Flex option, or opting out altogether.

Students will access their digital material through the Canvas Course Materials tab. It also lists required print textbooks and notes when they are available for pick up.

Students will have access to their materials at least 1 week prior to the start of the semester for those course materials submitted by the adoption due date. Delays in submitting adoptions can impact the student’s ability to access material timely.

Digital material provided in the SmartAccess+ program is for the shortest duration possible to cover the entire semester. This helps keep the program price low. Length of access will vary by publisher. Select digital books can be downloaded to a device after the term is over. Digital books that are part of courseware are only accessible during the semester in which they were provided, and unless otherwise noted, access expires at the end of the semester.

Participation in SmartAccess+ is not mandatory, but students are automatically enrolled. Students can adjust their participation each semester based on need. If they have courses with very few or low-cost assigned course materials, they may want to consider SmartAccess Flex where they choose for which courses they will retain access to the materials. In the case of no or free materials, they can choose to simply opt-out of the program.

Students who opt out may obtain materials through Titan Shops or another source. Access to paid content is disabled after opting out, but OER and library resources remain available in Canvas.

Yes. Students can download assigned titles and use the VitalSource Bookshelf app to study offline.

Yes. Students who opt out of SmartAccess+ can still purchase course materials at regular list prices through Titan Shops.

This process remains the same. Contact your publisher representative to request a desk copy. If your course uses a required digital book through SmartAccess+, all Canvas users with the role of Teach, Course Admin or TA will receive complimentary digital through the Canvas Course Materials tab. For digital content provided directly through the publisher’s platform, such as courseware, please contact your publisher representative.