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Wilkes University to Provide Free Textbooks and Course Materials to Students This Fall

To help ensure a successful college experience for students and to address the rising costs of books and course materials, Wilkes will provide required course materials at no cost to all undergraduate students. The initiative, called Colonels Are Covered, will be offered in partnership with Barnes & Noble’s College First Day Complete® initiative.

Wilkes is the first school in the region to offer the program, and one of three in Pennsylvania, along with Juniata, Robert Morris and the University of Pittsburgh. Approximately 80 total schools nationally are partnering with First Day Complete®.

“Studies show that students perform at their best when they are prepared with textbooks and learning materials before classes begin. The cost of books should not be a hindrance to student success. This program ensures that all of our undergraduate students automatically receive course materials prior to the start of the semester and at no added cost,” said President Greg Cant.

For some students, the program can save them as much as $1,600 per year, based on financial aid borrowing limits for books and course materials. “I almost never wanted to buy textbooks because of the costs associated with them,” said Megan Makovsky, pharmacy student. “Providing course materials for students free of charge is something that shows just how much our University cares for its students.”

The program applies to fall and spring semesters for degree-seeking undergraduate students, and covers all required textbooks (print or electronic), lab manuals and access codes for digital content.

Find out more at wilkes.edu/covered.

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