Student FAQ

You are provided access to use your course materials during a trial period through the opt-out deadline. As you weigh the benefits and costs of the program tailored to your unique schedule, you have the freedom to make an informed decision about how the program benefits you personally. The goal of this program is to create a more sustainable and convenient process for acquiring the course materials your instructors indicate you must have to be successful in the course.

If you decide that the program isn’t right for you for any quarter, you may request an opt-out to have the program fee reversed. Please note that there is an opt-out deadline for each quarter.  

Yes, for certain materials. Many of the digital textbooks on Bookshelf can be downloaded to a device and read after the quarter is over. Digital textbooks that are part of the courseware are usable only for the quarter in which they were originally provided; unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires at the end of the term. 

You may also keep any physical textbooks you receive as part of Triton One if you stay enrolled in the program and the applicable course. If you opt out of the program or drop any course with print materials, you’ll need to return print textbooks to The Bookstore within 10 days. Any digital materials will be automatically removed from your account. 

If you choose to remain opted into Triton One, required printed textbooks are included and are yours to keep. If you opt out of the program at any point within the quarter or drop any course for which you receive printed textbooks, you are required to return those books within 10 days. If not returned or shipped back to The Bookstore, the replacement cost for outstanding textbooks will be billed to your bursar account. Any digital course materials provided will be automatically removed from your account. 

Faculty will have full academic freedom under Triton One. The textbook selection process will remain the same. 

The VitalSource e-reader is fully device-agnostic, scalable and allows simultaneous use across two mobile devices and two desktop devices. Further, content downloaded to the e-reader app can be accessed offline as long as it was downloaded before the loss of internet connection. As for saving as a file, copyright laws can restrict licensed content from taking the form as redistributable files.

You’ll receive one iClicker through Triton One, which you may keep for future quarters. If you choose not to keep it, you’ll need to procure another iClicker if your courses require one. 

"Opt in" means that you are participating in Triton One. No action is required to opt in. You will have access to your required course materials by the start of classes within Canvas.

If you decide that you do not want to participate, you may opt out prior to the opt-out deadline.  

You will be charged for Triton One by the first week of class.

Yes. However, financial aid coverage depends on the individual student's aid package. For more information on estimated costs for books and supplies included in the cost of attendance, view Cost of Attendance on the Financial Aid website at fas.ucsd.edu.

No. If you decide that the program isn’t right for you, you may opt out via a digital link you receive by email or in Canvas, through the opt-out deadline. The program fee will be reversed. After making an informed decision to opt-out, your access to all course materials provided through the program will end. Access to digital eBooks and publisher courseware provided in Canvas will be removed. Students who choose to opt out of the Academic Materials Program may purchase individual digital textbooks and other course content online at Vital Source (coming soon).  

Financial aid is determined by UC San Diego’s estimated cost of attendance. The amount of financial assistance a family needs each year is determined by the following formula: Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = Demonstrated Financial Need. Your Expected Family Contribution remains consistent unless your family reports significant changes to your financial situation. For more information on estimated costs for books and supplies included in the cost of attendance, view Cost of Attendance on the Financial Aid website at fas.ucsd.edu.

The opt-out deadline is posted quarterly on The Bookstore’s website and on the UC San Diego VitalSource website. The information will also be available on your Bookshelf. 

If the opt-out deadline is missed, opt-outs will be considered on an individual basis and may not be approved without a valid academic reason. To request an opt-out after the deadline, please contact textbooks@ucsd.edu. 

You can choose to opt out each quarter. However, if you choose to opt out, you will need to purchase your textbooks at current retail or resale prices either by special ordering from the campus store website or from an outlet of your choice.

To opt out:

• You can opt out via a digital link sent to you via email.
• You can also opt out by logging into Canvas anytime before the deadline​. Click the “Course Materials” tab in any Canvas course, then select “Switch Programs”.

After making an informed decision to opt-out, your access to all course materials provided through the program will end. Access to digital eBooks and publisher courseware provided in Canvas, such as McGraw-Hill Connect or Pearson MyLab, will be removed. The Triton One Program fee will be reversed in your bursar account within 5-7 business days of opting out if you have already been billed.

If you still need access to courseware, you may purchase continued access directly from My Courses in Canvas or through the Publisher.

*Any printed materials provided to you by the program must be returned to The Bookstore within 10 days of opting out of the program. If print materials are not yet in your possession (e.g., you received an email to pick up your print items but have not yet picked them up from The Bookstore), those items will be removed from your account and returned to the program. Any print items not returned to the bookstore by the opt-out date will be charged to your Bursar’s account at full retail price.

Digital: You can easily purchase individual digital textbooks and other digital course content within your Canvas Bookshelf. For courseware (depending on the platform), you may purchase an access code within Bookshelf or directly through the publisher

Print: The UC San Diego Bookstore will not be selling in-stock print textbooks to those who have opted out of the program; those books have been purchased at lower prices based on the subscription model per our contract with the publishers. However, you can order print textbooks. For assistance, visit the textbook help desk in the UC San Diego Bookstore.

When you opt out of Triton One, access will be removed for all digital eBooks and publisher courseware provided in Canvas, such as McGraw-Hill Connect or Pearson MyLab. All access will be deactivated by the opt-out deadline.

If you have reviewed your course materials costs/needs and have determined that you will not benefit from Triton One this quarter, you are encouraged to opt-out. You can easily purchase individual digital textbooks and other digital course content within your Canvas Bookshelf or by visiting: VitalSource (coming soon). For courseware (depending on the platform), you may purchase an access code within Bookshelf or directly through the publisher. You can review your personalized booklist, including the required and optional materials for your registered courses in your Canvas Bookshelf or by logging in to VitalSource (coming soon) using your UC San Diego ID.

Yes. Prior to the opt-out deadline, you can opt back into the Triton One Program in your Canvas Bookshelf or using the link provided in the email you received when you opted out. Once you are in your student textbook portal in Canvas, simply click the “Select Program” button to opt back in. After the opt-out deadline, please email textbooks@ucsd.edu to request an opt-in. Once your opt-in is confirmed, a $199 charge will be submitted to your bursar account. 

Study abroad courses are not eligible for Triton One. Please contact textbooks@ucsd.edu to discuss your options, including opting out and reversing the bursar fee charge. 

When you add a course, its materials will become available in Canvas. Course enrollment changes can take up to 48 hours to be processed. If printed materials are required for your new course, they will display on your Student Portal dashboard. You will receive an email from The UC San Diego Bookstore with instructions for picking up any required print materials. 

When dropping a course, any access to digital course materials will be removed in tandem with your enrollment drop. If you drop and have printed course materials that were provided to you by the Triton One Program, you must return those print materials to The UC San Diego Bookstore within 10-days of your drop. Non-returned print materials will be charged to your bursar account at the publisher’s listed new book price. 

Only students fully enrolled in a course will have access to the course materials provided under Triton One.