Elevate your Prairie State College (PSC) academic journey with the Pioneer Book Bundle service! Designed with your success in mind, this program offers unparalleled convenience, significant savings, and dedicated support for all your course material needs.
Unpacking the Pioneer Book Bundle
The Pioneer Book Bundle is more than just textbooks; it’s a comprehensive service crafted to enhance your learning experience from day one. Imagine having all your required course materials ready and accessible even before your first class. This program makes that a reality, ensuring you’re fully prepared to engage with your coursework from the moment you step into the classroom, or log in online. Beyond preparedness, the Pioneer Book Bundle is also designed to be budget-friendly, offering substantial discounts on essential learning resources.
Key Advantages of the Pioneer Book Bundle:
- Early Access to Course Materials: Jumpstart your semester with immediate access to all your learning resources, ensuring you’re ready from day one.
- Significant Cost Savings: Reduce your financial burden with savings of 35-50% on course materials each term compared to purchasing them individually.
- Personalized and Streamlined Service: Enjoy a hassle-free experience tailored to your specific course needs, simplifying the process of acquiring textbooks and digital resources.
How the Pioneer Book Bundle Works: A Simple 3-Step Process
Enrolling in the Pioneer Book Bundle is seamless and automatic when you register for your classes. Here’s how it works:
1. Register for Classes
Upon registering for your courses at PSC, you are automatically enrolled in the Pioneer Book Bundle program. No additional sign-up is needed! This automatic enrollment ensures you don’t miss out on the benefits of the program.
2. Verify Your Order
Approximately 30 days before the semester begins, you will receive an email notification. This email will prompt you to verify your order details and select your preferred method for receiving your materials. You can choose to pick them up in-store or have them shipped directly to you, offering flexibility to suit your needs.
3. Receive Your Materials
Once your order is processed and ready, you’ll receive another email notification. This email will confirm when your physical materials are ready for in-store pickup or when they have been shipped to your address. For digital materials required for your courses, these will be conveniently delivered directly through the D2L (Desire2Learn) Learning Management System, integrating seamlessly with your online learning environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About First Day® Complete (Pioneer Book Bundle)
To provide further clarity, the Pioneer Book Bundle is powered by the First Day® Complete program. This innovative model is designed to simplify access to course materials, reduce costs for students, and ensure everyone has everything they need right from the start. Here are some common questions and answers about the program:
What is First Day® Complete?
First Day® Complete is a course material delivery model that aims to make education more accessible and affordable. It simplifies the student experience by providing all required course materials in one package at a significantly reduced price. Physical books are provided on a rental basis, while digital materials are accessible directly within the campus LMS for a flat fee of $25 per credit hour. At the end of each term, students receive reminders to return their rented physical textbooks to the bookstore.
How do I get my books through the Pioneer Book Bundle?
Simply register for your classes at Prairie State College. The bookstore will then automatically begin preparing your course materials. About a month before classes start, you’ll receive an email to choose your delivery preference—either in-store pickup or direct shipping. You’ll get another email notification when your order is ready for pickup or has shipped. Digital materials will be directly available within your course(s) in the LMS (D2L).
Who is eligible for the Pioneer Book Bundle?
Most PSC students are eligible to participate in the Pioneer Book Bundle. However, students enrolled in Allied Health, Early College Initiative, non-credit courses, and company-sponsored programs are currently not eligible.
What materials are included in the Pioneer Book Bundle?
The program includes all required textbooks, eTextbooks, lab manuals, and access codes for eligible students, ensuring you have every essential resource for your courses.
Are there any materials not included in the program?
Yes, the program does not cover consumable course supplies that cannot be returned and reused. Examples of these items include lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, engineering kits, and nursing kits. These types of supplies will need to be purchased separately.
Do I need to sign up for the Pioneer Book Bundle?
No, all eligible students are automatically enrolled in the Pioneer Book Bundle program for maximum convenience.
What if I don’t want to participate in the Pioneer Book Bundle?
Students have the option to opt-out of the First Day® Complete program each semester during a designated opt-out window. For the Spring 2025 semester, the opt-out window is from December 16th to February 10th. If you opt-out, you will not receive your course materials through the bundle, and access to digital content will be removed after the opt-out window closes. Information on purchasing materials separately after opting out can be found on the bookstore website. To opt-out, please use this link: Opt Out
Can I change my mind if I opt-out and want to opt back in?
Yes, you can change your opt-out status and opt back into the Pioneer Book Bundle program. Use the same Opt Out link or follow the instructions in your opt-out confirmation email. Please note that your final decision must be made by September 16th.
What happens if I opt-out of the program?
If you opt-out, you will be responsible for purchasing your required course materials independently through the bookstore or other sources.
When are rental textbooks due back to the bookstore?
The deadline for returning all rental textbooks is the last day of final exams for each semester. You will receive email reminders leading up to the rental deadline to help you remember.
Can I purchase my rental textbooks?
Yes, the program offers you the option to purchase your rental textbooks at a reduced rate during the semester if you decide you want to keep them.
What if I have a continuation course that spans multiple semesters?
Yes, you are still required to return textbooks for continuation courses at the end of each semester. However, you will be issued the same textbook title for the next semester of the continuation course, ensuring continuity in your materials.
How will I know when to verify my order and choose my delivery preference?
Students will receive email notifications from the bookstore reminding them to verify their order and select their fulfillment preference.
What if I don’t opt-out?
If you do not opt-out, your physical materials will be held at the bookstore, and your digital materials will be accessible through the LMS. Your student account will be automatically charged for the Pioneer Book Bundle service.
What happens if I drop a class?
If you drop a class and have already picked up or received materials for that class, you must return those materials to the bookstore within 48 hours. If you drop one class and enroll in another, the bookstore will facilitate a “swap” of required course materials to ensure you have the correct books for your new course.
What is the return policy if I drop a class?
You have 48 hours to return your textbooks if you drop a class. Failure to return the textbooks within this timeframe will result in the bundle charges remaining on your student account, and you may be subject to a replacement and non-return processing fee.
The Pioneer Book Bundle is designed to simplify your academic life, providing you with all the necessary course materials in a convenient, cost-effective, and supportive manner. Embrace this service and set yourself up for academic success at Prairie State College!
