Frequently Asked Questions for Students

You access your course materials through Canvas. If you are a first-time user, you may need to create an account with the publisher providing the course materials. Please disable your pop-up blockers if prompted.

1. Clear your cache in Chrome or FireFox, close your browser & restart your laptop and attempt to access your course materials again.
2. Try a different browser altogether.
3. If neither of these steps work, contact Barnes & Noble Customer Support and provide a screenshot of your error page and make sure to include the URL in the screenshot.
   

   Web Link: customercare.bncollege.com 

   Toll Free: 1-844-9-EBOOKS (1-844-932-6657)

   Email: bookstorecustomercare@bncollege.com

   Link:  First Day FAQs and Tutorial Videos

   Link: Open a Customer Care team ticket

4. Then send that screenshot of your error page with the URL in the screenshot and the service ticket number from the Barnes & Noble Customer Support to your instructor with details of the access issue that you are experiencing.
   Your professor will notify the HCC Bookstore.
5. If you do not have access during the first two weeks of class, please notify your professor, the HCC Bookstore, and the Barnes & Noble’s Customer Support, then use the publisher’s temporary access. Keep in mind to follow up because there will be a charge to your account.

When you registered, you selected a course that was designated Textbook Savings – Inclusive Access/First Day. Students enrolled in First Day™ courses are automatically opted-in to the program to ensure that everyone has access to course materials on the first day of class, and the bulk-rate purchase lowers the price of the digital course material for all participating HCC students. You will have the ability to opt-out on the first day of class.

When students register for a First Day™ course, the cost of digital course materials is included as a course-materials charge on their student account. This charge is automatically added to the tuition and fees and is only applicable to courses enrolled in the First Day™ program. Students will have access to the required materials by the first day of class. This fee is applied each time a student registers for a First Day™ course, including if a class is repeated. (Financial Aid does cover First Day™ courses.)

• Oracle PeopleSoft Sign-in (hccs.edu) for payments

No. Since the digital course material will be available on or before the start of the semester in Canvas, you do not need to purchase anything from the bookstore or publisher’s website to gain access. A charge, however, will be placed on your student account for each respective First Day – Inclusive Access course.

Depending on the course, an optional low-cost loose-leaf print version of your textbook may be available through the HCC Barnes & Noble Bookstore online or in store for an additional cost that cannot be applied to your First Day course materials fee. If a physical textbook is available, you must remain Opted-In the First Day™ course to access graded e-learning components such as quizzes, tests, and homework assignments that will not be accessible otherwise. Your instructor will email details about your First Day™ course materials and their expected use prior to the start of class.

Yes, all First Day course materials are required to be ADA compliant. Students in need of accommodations should work with their instructors and the HCC Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Contact Ability Services for general information about receiving accommodations.

ADA Compliance - Accessibility – VitalSource Support

Students enrolled in a First Day – Inclusive Access course having difficulty with course material access, should follow these steps:

1. First contact the HCC Barnes & Noble Bookstore
   • 713-528-0872 Office
   • SM515@bncollege.com
   • Please include First Day & Course information in the subject line
2. Then, contact the Barnes & Noble Customer Care:
   Web Link: customercare.bncollege.com or
   Toll Free: 1-844-9-EBOOKS (1-844-932-6657) or
   Email: bookstorecustomercare@bncollege.com
   
   
3. Notify your professor

You may opt out of First Day™ materials before the Opt-Out deadline, and the charge will be refunded to your student account. Your access to the materials will be revoked after the Census Date/Opt-Out period ends.

IMPORTANT: You must proactively opt out of the program by the deadline (the Opt-Out deadline/Census Date) if you do not want to use the materials. After the deadline the charges on your account (the course materials fee) will be final, and failure to pay may result in an account hold.

If you do not wish to participate in the First Day - Inclusive Access Program, you have the option to opt-out. The Opt-Out dates mirror the Census Date for HCC and can be found on your First Day (Inclusive Access) Course Materials link in Canvas. If you opt-out before the Census Date/Opt-Out Date, you will lose access to the digital course material and you will receive a refund for the First Day - Inclusive Access course material(s). If you opt-out, you will have to obtain the course materials on your own. NOTE: Keep in mind that the standard prices will likely be higher. Please do your research and consult your professor before deciding to opt-out.

1. Click on the First Day (Inclusive Access) Course Materials link
2. Click on the Opt-Out button
3. Select the reason for opting out from the drop-down box
4. Click the Confirm Opt-Out button.

REMEMBER: You are still responsible for acquiring required course materials and doing all assigned readings and homework from them.

Yes, as long as it’s before the Opt-Out deadline/Census date!  These same steps above work for opting back IN to materials if you decide you need them after all.

1. Click on the First Day (Inclusive Access) Course Materials link
2. Click on the Opt-In button

If you purchase the valid materials from a different source and use the same credentials (login/password) to access the materials, your work will be retained. If you do not purchase the materials somewhere else or use different credentials your work will be lost.

You will receive an email from Barnes & Noble confirming you successfully opted-out. Check your HCC school email.

No, choosing to opt-out of the material means you choose to opt-out of the eBook as well as any other online component (ex: Connect, MindTap, InQuizitive, MyLab & Mastering, Achieve, etc.) required for the course.

Yes.

No, but if you do opt-out prior to withdrawing from an Inclusive Access course, your credit to your student account will occur faster.

You must opt out prior to 11:59 pm CST on the Census Date to get a refund or credit to your student account.

There is no petition process available for First Day™. If you forget to opt out by the Census date, you will have to pay for the course material or you will have a hold placed on your account.

Yes. If you are enrolled in multiple First Day™ courses and wish to opt out, you will need to opt out of each course individually. Opting out of one course will not opt you out of other First Day™ courses

For a majority of the courses, access is only valid for 180 days (one semester). If you are retaking a course with 180-day access, you will need to pay again. If you are still unsure, and you are retaking a course, please contact the HCC Bookstore and ask to speak with the Bookstore manager at 713-528-0872 to confirm if you will need to pay for the materials.

If an instructor tells you that he or she doesn’t intend to use the First Day course materials, please notify the department chair and the HCC Bookstore manager at 713-528-0872 immediately before the Opt-Out/Census date to prevent a charge to your account for this course.

No, if it is eText only. Please contact the HCC Bookstore and ask to speak with the Bookstore manager at 713-528-0872 by the Opt-Out deadline so we can add you to our list of exceptions. You will only be required to pay for one of the courses.

If you are currently enrolled in two courses using the exact same eText PLUS courseware, you will have to ask your instructor to contact the publisher rep for a possible resolution.

Yes, but you must have enough financial aid to cover all your other charges first and then have enough financial aid remaining to cover the digital course materials fees. 

You can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA application. Most financial aid is applied to student bills 10 days prior to the start of school. (Follow up with the HCC Financial Aid Office to have the details for your particular financial aid program.

No. Just as with your other books and course materials, you are responsible for paying the digital materials charge. This fee cannot be directly billed to the VA since it is an optional charge. If you receive a book stipend or housing allowance (BAH), it may help defray the personal expense you incurred.

Yes.

In most cases, yes. However, please contact the bookstore, the cashier’s office and/or case representative for more details and verification.

No, you are responsible for paying the digital materials charge.

• Tuition exemption/waiver

Discuss this with your P-16 coordinator or High School Counselor/Dual Credit Liaison.  It depends on the school district.

Please use your HCC email address.

Would you like to see a class/course that currently does not have Inclusive Access offerings be added to the First Day - Inclusive Access Program?