MUNCIE, Ind. - Starting this semester, Ball State University is launching "First Day," a textbook rental program that all students are opted-in to by default.
The program costs $22.75 per credit hour, even if you don't have books for a class.
While the university says the program offers "discounted, low-priced course materials on the first day of class," some students are questioning its value.
"[Ball State University] is gonna charge me $100 more than what it would cost if I bought [my books] on my own," one student posted to the anonymous, student-only social media platform YikYak.
"Ain't nobody spend[ing] over $300 a semester on textbooks," another student posted.
So, what can students do to not waste their money?
- Check for an email with this subject: Reminder: Select Textbook Pickup or Shipping for Ball State First Day.
- Click the Make My Selection button.
- All your books for the semester are listed on the page. Search the Ball State bookstore and other retailers for them.
- If the books sold separately cost less than First Day, close the page, visit https://firstdayoptout.bsu.edu, and click the toggle to opt out. You'll get a confirmation email a few minutes after you opt out. If you're ordering your textbooks from the bookstore and receive an error, contact the bookstore or buy from another retailer.
- If the books sold separately cost more than through First Day, select pickup or shipping.
The deadline to opt out of First Day this semester is August 24th.
It's unclear if students who've opted out will need to go back in and opt out for future semesters.
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