Immediate Access ONE — One Program, One Price, Day One Access
Immediate Access ONE digital program header graphic

Students using Immediate Access ONE course materials at Iowa State University

What is Immediate Access ONE?

This is the next stage of the ISU Book Store's successful Immediate Access program. This is a digital-first, flat-rate course materials program launched in Fall 2024 for all undergraduate courses, designed to boost student success.

With Immediate Access ONE, students enrolled in undergraduate courses receive their required digital and print books for the predictable cost of $269 per semester. On the first day of classes each semester, students can access their digital course materials by logging into Canvas. Print books are ready for pickup at the ISU Book Store in the Memorial Union.



Easy Day 1 Access

ACCESSIBLE


  • First-day access to required courseware and eBooks
  • Digital Materials delivered directly through Canvas
  • Prepared for learning to start on day one
A student utilizing Immediate Access One to study on a desktop computer
Reduced Cost

COST-SAVING


  • Fall/Spring Semester:
    $269
  • Winter Semester:
    $69
  • Summer Semester: Not included. See Immediate Access
A student studying with a laptop outdoors
Time-Saving

TIME-SAVING


  • Auto-charged once at the beginning of the semester
  • Saves hassle of multi-site price comparison
  • Easy bookstore pickup for all print materials
A student reading course materials on a tablet
Predictable Pricing

PREDICTABLE


  • Full transparency with no hidden charges
  • Same cost for all undergraduate students
  • Includes required digital and physical textbooks
A student walking on campus with a backpack

Unmatched Student Benefits


Immediate Access One price comparison chart
Feature comparison between Retail and Immediate Access ONE
FeaturesRetail
Digital + Print		Immediate
Access ONE
Required Digital + Print MaterialsYesYes
Fixed Price Per SemesterNoYes
All Required MaterialsNoYes
Day-one AccessNoYes
Convenient Auto-payNoYes
ISU Book Store SupportYesYes



Student Speak


Overall much easier and sustainable! I like how easy it is to obtain my materials, I literally have to put in no additional effort and during the start of the semesters when it all feels very overwhelming. Makes it a lot easier on me with one less thing on my to-do list!

Meagan (Apparel Merchandising and Design/German)

It saves me a lot of time finding the right book I need and its convenient for any adjustments in my schedule [when dropping or registering for classes]. Much less of a hassle than buying physical books every semester.

Edwin (Aerospace Engineering)

I like not having to carry textbooks around; if I have my laptop I have all my books. Being able to highlight, search, and copy information directly from the document when I am studying [is convenient].

Kayla (Interior Design)

It's always easy to find the information I am looking for in the course materials, I can search for specific terms/bookmarks/highlights. I don't have to worry about finding the materials and paying for everything individually, the payment is part of my semester fees/charges.

Niha (Architecture)

It has been extremely beneficial to me as a student as it provides me with all the material for the best price that I need and getting the material before the first day of class. It takes the extra stress of preparing for your classes by automatically adding online material to your U-Bill, while also giving me the option "to opt-out" of getting the material if I choose not to get it.

Justin (Entrepreneurship)

Students studying with Immediate Access One materials



Frequently Asked Questions


Immediate Access ONE is a new program, and it is natural to have questions about it. Check the frequently asked questions below to learn more about the program, or use the "Question not listed" tab if your question is not present in the section below.

If your question isn't covered here, you need help, or want to learn more about the Immediate Access ONE program, please contact us at immediateaccess@iastate.edu.

Due to the University's security protocol or content restrictions, some digital content may not be able to be included in Immediate Access ONE. To learn about what content is currently not able to be deployed through Immediate Access ONE, please view "What is included and not included in Immediate Access ONE?"


There is no signup necessary! When you sign up for undergraduate courses, you are automatically enrolled in Immediate Access ONE. The charge is sent directly to your U-Bill to pay for it as you would with your tuition and fees.

 

Most required books, eBooks, coursepackets, and lab manuals are included in Immediate Access ONE. Homework platforms (Connect, MyLab, Advantage, PackBack, etc.) and access codes are included, too.

What's not included:

  • Course supplies such as lab coats, goggles, art supplies, and lab supplies
  • TK20 Access Code
  • Lab Archives, a required digital content, is not able to be included in the flat-rate and will be charged separately to the student's U-Bill
  • Books published by American Institute of Steel Construction and American Concrete Institute
  • Commercial Software and subscriptions like: Perusal content, Kindle eBooks without an ISBN, Marvel Unlimited subscription, Adobe Software, Video Games, and Movie, TV, or Music subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, etc.)
 

Immediate Access ONE is for every undergraduate student. Regardless of major! All graduate-level courses will continue to utilize the Immediate Access Program or purchase print books.

If you are taking an undergraduate course and a graduate course, you will have required textbooks and expenses for Immediate Access ONE and the individual charges for the graduate course. Please review all emails from the ISU Book Store for information about your required textbooks.

 

Here is how you review all your required and optional materials for the upcoming and current semester.

Digital and Print books

  • Email: A few weeks before the start of classes, you will receive an email from Iowa State University Book Store (no-reply@verbasoftware.com). This email will include important information about your Immediate Access ONE materials for the upcoming semester.
  • Canvas: A week before classes start you can log into Canvas and review your books there under the "Immediate Access" tab.
Supplies
  • ISU BookStore Booklist: Log into your booklist. ISU Book Store with your ISU ID to see what lab, art, and school supplies you will need.

 

Not necessarily. Immediate Access ONE is a Digital-First course materials program. If a required course material isn't available digitally or the professor requests print, a printed copy will be provided. Required print books are available for pick-up at the ISU Book Store.

 

To access your digital content/textbooks for any given course, log into the course page in your Canvas account.

1. Click on the "Immediate Access" link on the Canvas course navigation menu on the left side of your Canvas course page.
2. You should see a title card for all of your digital and physical titles that have been requested for the course.
3. You will receive an email with directions on how to access the digital content from Iowa State University Book Store (no-reply@verbasoftware.com).

 

Lab Archives is a digital lab notebook that is automatically charged separate to your U-bill as it is not included in the Immediate Access ONE flat-rate.
Lab Archives is not availble for purchase outside of the ISU BookStore. This is a REQUIRED material for the CHEM 1630, 1670, 1770, 1780, and 2010 laboratory sections.

 

Packback is an online learning tool where instructors and students can engage with each other. There are three types of Packback used at Iowa State.

1. Packback Questions with Instruct- an online discussion platform
2. Packback Deep Dives With Instruct- an online writing tool
3. Packback Bundle (includes Questions, Instruct, and Deep Dives)- an online discussion platform and writing tool


A Packback subscription is only good for one course so if you have multiple courses using Packback, you will need purchase Packback multiple times. Packback is included in Immediate Access ONE. If you opt-out of Immediate Access ONE your access will be cut-off and you will need to purchase Packback for each course using it. You can purchase PackBack directly from your booklist.

 

Required print materials are available for pick-up at the Iowa State University Book Store located in the Memorial Union. You can also have them shipped from ISU Book Store (shipping charges apply).

 

Financial aid can be used to cover textbook expenses. Contact financialaid@iastate.edu for specific questions regarding your coverage.

 

Yes, you have the option to opt out of Immediate Access ONE via a link emailed to you or in Canvas within the first 10 days from the start of classes. If you opt out during this period, you will receive a refund. If you change your mind, you can also re-enroll in Immediate Access ONE via Canvas within the first 10 days of classes.

You will be opting out of Immediate Access ONE for ALL your classes, not on a class-by-class basis. Opting out of Immediate Access ONE does NOT drop you from your classes.

If you opt-out, your Canvas access to digital material will be cut off either immediately upon opting out or within 2 weeks after the opt-out deadline.

If you opt out of Immediate Access ONE, you will be able to purchase your required books individually either from the ISU Book Store or from the retailer of your choice. You are not automatically enrolled in any digital materials. Instructions for where and how to access your digital materials are emailed to you after purchasing.

If you're taking a course that requires courseware (such as McGraw-Hill Connect) to do homework or take tests/quizzes, check with your instructor to see if the courseware is mandatory. Courseware is included in Immediate Access ONE's flat rate. However, students who choose to opt out of Immediate Access ONE will lose access after the opt-out date and will need to buy the required courseware another way. Buying courseware directly from the publisher may cost more and can't be charged to the U-Bill, so please weigh that when deciding whether to opt out of Immediate Access ONE.

To Opt Out via email link:

  • Look for an email from Iowa State University Book Store (no-reply@verbasoftware.com). Subject line "IMPORTANT IMMEDIATE ACCESS ONE INFORMATION FOR THE…TERM"
  • Read the email and click on the link "View your Immediate Access ONE materials list"
  • A window will open with a static version of Canvas. The opt-out button will be located in the upper right-hand corner of the page.

You will receive an email confirmation from no-reply@verbasoftware.com with the subject line "YOUR PREFERENCE TO OPT-OUT HAS BEEN RECORDED." Please check your spam folder. Your U-Bill will be credited within 7-10 business days.

 

The flat rate of $269 for Immediate Access ONE will be credited to your U-Bill account within 7 to 10 business days of successfully opting out.

 

After you opt-out you will be able to purchase your required digital and print books directly from the Immediate Access page in Canvas. Each item will have a button that says "Compare and Purchase". Follow the prompts to purchase your materials. After you have completed your purchase you will recieve a confirmation email with a link to access your digital materials on your VitalSource Bookshelf. Print books can be purchased at the ISU Book Store either in-store or online through your booklist.

 

Yes, during the first 10 days of classes, you are free to drop and add Immediate Access ONE as many times as you like. After that time, you will need to contact immediateaccess@iastate.edu.

   

Digital items are automatically activated and deactivated in your Canvas account as you change courses. Approximately 24 hours after your course change, you will gain/lose access to those textbooks.

Print textbooks will need to be returned for dropped courses to the ISU Book Store to avoid being charged a replacement cost. For added courses, review your course material requirements in Canvas to see if you need to pick up a print book from the ISU Book Store.

 

Most eBooks that students read in VitalSource Bookshelf can be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over by using the free Bookshelf app. eBooks that are part of a homework platform or courseware are only usable for the semester they were primarily provided unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over. Students keep any print materials they receive. Students can sell these books back to the ISU Book Store for Textbook BuyBack.

 

If you received an email stating that you have a print book to return to the ISU Book Store is because of one of the following reasons:
1. If you dropped the class that required a print book or opted out of Immediate Access ONE, you need to return any printed materials provided.
2. The instructor has made a change to the material for the course. The instructor may have changed editions, titles, or the digital version is being used instead.
Immediate Access ONE only covers the most current requested material and format. So, if you are issued a material that is later changed, the material you were issued must be returned. If you do not return the book before the return date or the book is returned damaged, a fee will be charged to your U-Bill to replace the print book.

If you do not pick up the printed books/materials assigned to you, they will be forfeited and you will not be credited for books you didn't pick-up. To find what book(s) you need to return, please read through the "YOU HAVE A PRINT BOOK THAT NEEDS TO BE RETURNED" email sent to you and review each material to find the Print Material Status:

Example showing Print Material Status indicating a book needs to be returned

 

You will continue to work with the Student Accessibility Services (SAS). If you have questions about accessibility and using digital content or need an academic accommodation, please contact the SAS for assistance.

 

If you are listed in the "Student" role in Canvas, then you will have access to the Immediate Access ONE course materials and will be charged. If you wish to audit a course and not pay for the materials, your professor will need to list you as an "Instructor" or "TA" in Canvas.

 

If you are enrolled in a course that does not require any course materials and doesn't utilize Canvas, you will get an email from Iowa State University Book Store (no-reply@verbasoftware.com) on how to opt-out (make sure to check your Junk folder as well!). In this email is a link called "View your Immediate Access ONE materials list". This will open a static version of Canvas that will have an "Opt Out of Immediate Access ONE" button in the upper right hand corner. After you click the button you will be asked to confirm your choice, then you will receive a confirmation email within an hour.
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL PLEASE EMAIL immediateaccess@iastate.edu TO CONFIRM IF YOUR CHOICE TO OPT-OUT WAS SUCCESSFULLY PROCESSED.
It is up to the student to take action if they want to opt-out of Immediate Access ONE.

 

All Immediate Access ONE communications to students are listed below for reference: