Bear Book Bundle FAQ
Bear Book Bundle FAQ for Students
What is the Bear Book Bundle? The Bear Book Bundle is an affordable textbook rental program that provides undergraduate students with all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and electronic book versions on or before the first day of class each semester. At the end of the semester, students will receive email reminders to return printed textbooks to the bookstore.
The average student is estimated to save 35% - 50% on textbooks for a semester. The cost is $24 per credit hour for the 2023-24 academic year and will be applied as a course charge.
Who is eligible to participate in the Bear Book Bundle Program?
All undergraduate programs are included in the Bear Book Bundle.
Accessible Format Textbooks are available for undergraduate students with disabilities. Eligibility and requests are handled by the Access and Accommodations Services for Students with Disabilities office.
How does it work?
- Register for your classes and the bookstore will start preparing your course materials.
- One month before classes start, you will receive an email instructing you to select your delivery preference (in-store pickup or shipped directly to you).
- An email notification will be sent when your order is ready for pick up or when it ships.
- Your digital materials will be delivered for your course(s) within Canvas.
What is the cost?
All required course materials are included as a course charge based on the number of credit hours you are taking per semester. The rate for Fall 2023 is $24 per credit hour.
|
Example of Fee Calculation |
|
|
Enrolled Credits |
Book Bundle Fee |
|
3 |
$72.00 |
|
6 |
$144.00 |
|
9 |
$216.00 |
|
12 |
$288.00 |
|
15 |
$360.00 |
|
18 |
$432.00 |
The fee will be added to the charges in your Mercer student account. Your account will update automatically if you change classes resulting in a different number of credit hours. The fee can be paid with financial aid or out of pocket. If you enroll in a payment plan, this charge will be included in the payment plan calculations. Consumable supplies, such as paper and writing utensils, are not included in this program and will need to be purchased separately.
What is included in the program?
The program provides all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and digital textbook versions to eligible students.
The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused, such as lab goggles.
Program Participation
How do I enroll in the program?
All undergraduates will be automatically enrolled in the Bear Book Bundle program.
Can I choose to participate in the Bear Book Bundle program for some classes but not others?
No. The Bear Book Bundle program is designed to be an all-in or all-out solution by semester for the lowest per-credit flat rate. Participation is by semester for all courses, not by individual course.
If one book is unavailable in the Bear Book Bundle, can I still pick up the rest of the bundle? Yes! You can pick up your available order, and once the backordered items arrive, the bookstore will email you that the materials are ready for pickup.
Can I opt out of the program?
While not recommended, you may opt out of this cost-saving program for the current term. To opt out of the Bear Book Bundle program, go to the bookstore tile in MyMercer. The wavier must be completed by the last day of drop/add and is only valid for that semester.
When is the deadline to opt out of the program?
The deadline to opt out is the last day of add/drop for the semester, as listed on the academic calendar. Click here for the Registrar’s website with the academic calendars of Mercer campuses. The opt-out deadline for each of your courses, as well as your participation status in the Bear Book Bundle is visible in MyMercer on the Campus Bookstore tile.
Can I opt out of the program if I’ve already picked up my course materials?
Yes. To opt out of the Bear Book Bundle program, go to the bookstore tile in MyMercer. You will have to return your course materials to the bookstore. If you do not return the course materials, the charges for the bundle will go back onto your student account, resulting in a potential account hold.
What happens if I never verify my order?
You will receive emails from the bookstore to remind you to verify your order. If you do not opt out, course materials will be held at the bookstore, and your account will be charged.
If I never pick up my rental books, will I still get charged?
Yes. If you do not opt out, course materials will be held at the bookstore, and your account will be charged. If you confirm your course materials but do not pick them up, the bookstore team will send weekly reminders until midterms to let you know the materials are assigned to you and are awaiting pick-up.
What if my course schedule changes?
You may return the textbook to the bookstore on the same terms and timelines currently in place. If you drop a class and enroll in a different class, the bookstore will exchange the required textbooks/codes so that you have what you need.
What if I withdraw from one or more courses for the semester?
Course materials must be returned to the campus bookstore within 20 days. If not returned, a hold will be placed on your student account.
Textbook Condition
Can I mark up inside the book with a highlighter or make notes in the margins?
Yes! Normal use of highlighting and writing is permitted. The bookstore will use the same standards for determining acceptable condition of rental textbooks that it uses for determining condition of books sold back as used books.
What if I damage my rental textbook?
Good condition will be judged by the bookstore alone and generally means book spine intact, no excessive damage to cover or contents, all original pages intact, all original components present, and no excessive highlighting, writing or other markings. If the bookstore determines your book to be unacceptable for return, the book will be returned to you. You will receive an email notification from the bookstore that explains next steps. It is recommended that you upgrade to a purchase within the rental timeline, as the purchase would be cheaper versus the replacement cost of the textbook. Replacement costs for Bear Book Bundle rentals will be charged to your student account, resulting in a potential hold.
What if I request new books in the bundle and receive used ones? You are not able to specify a new or used condition of your rental books.
Digital Course Material
How do I access my digital course materials included in the Bear Book Bundle?
When you reserve your Bear Book Bundle, you will see how each course material will be delivered, either print or digital.
- Most digital materials will be available directly in your Canvas course in one of three ways:
- Access code reveal: Click on the Bear Book Bundle link in the course in Canvas that takes you to the bookstore’s digital materials platform. A code will be revealed to you for access to your course materials. Follow the directions provided with the code.
- Bookstore direct access: Click on the Bear Book Bundle link in the course in Canvas. This will take you to the bookstore’s digital materials platform. Click on the materials and access them directly through this platform.
- Publisher direct access: You will see a publisher link in the Canvas course, for example McGraw Hill Connect. Click on that link, and it will take you directly to the course materials on the publisher’s site. You will have codeless access.
- Other digital materials will be distributed as an access card or email. Follow the instructions on the access card or within the email.
How long do I have access to the digital version of a textbook?
You will have access to the digital version of a textbook for the entire semester, including final exams. After the end of the term, some titles may deactivate. Access depends on the title of the text.
What do I do if I’m supposed to have digital course materials in my Bear Book Bundle, but when I log into my course in Canvas, I don’t see the Bear Book Bundle link or a publisher link?
If your digital materials are not available in Canvas or the appropriate links are not in place, please notify your instructor and contact the campus bookstore at bookstore@mercer.edu to have the issue resolved right away.
What if I opt out of the program after using the digital materials?
Your access to the digital materials will be revoked on the opt-out deadline. If you need to gain access to the digital materials again after the opt-out deadline and after the access was revoked, you may purchase the digital materials from the bookstore at the regular retail price. Once you have purchased the materials, you can regain access with the physical or digital access code provided with your purchase. Any work completed prior to the access being revoked will still be there when you regain access.
Payment
Do I pay Mercer University or the bookstore for the Bear Book Bundle?
The Bear Book Bundle charge will be included on your Mercer student account along with other charges, such as tuition and fees. This allows you to use financial aid and scholarships to pay for your course materials.
There may be additional costs when verifying your purchase that are required to be paid out of pocket. Upon verifying your order, if you add recommended textbooks, extra supplies, materials or merchandise, you will be required to pay the bookstore with a debit card, credit card, or your Mercer Bear Card for those additional items. If you choose to have your materials shipped after verifying your order, an additional shipping charge will be added.
Will my financial aid or scholarship pay for the Bear Book Bundle?
Yes! Financial aid will be applied first to tuition, then fees, and then charges on your Mercer student account. Therefore, if enough aid is available to cover part or all of the Bear Book Bundle, then financial aid will be applied up to the maximum amount of aid. In instances where your financial aid is not enough to cover the Bear Book Bundle in part or in its entirety, you are required to pay the difference to Mercer University by the last day to pay for the semester.
If I opt out of the program, can I still use my financial aid to pay for course materials?
Yes! To learn more on how to use your financial aid for course materials at the bookstore, click here. For veterans, you can use your Tungsten authorization directly at the bookstore’s website at the time of check-out.
Can I use my financial aid to purchase recommended materials and other course supplies?
It depends on your financial aid. Click here to learn more about book advances. Please contact the Office of Financial Planning with any questions regarding your financial aid.
Returning Textbooks and Other Course Materials
When are the rental textbooks due back to the bookstore?
All rented textbooks (in good condition) must be returned --- or postmarked if mailing -- by the last day of final exams. You will receive email reminders of what books are rented to your Mercer email account. Printed books can be returned to the bookstore on the Macon or Atlanta campus. Books must be returned to the campus bookstore that processed your order (Macon or Atlanta).
Can I return my rental books by mail?
Yes! Just use the return shipping label available online. You can print it as often as you like, but you can only use it once. If you're returning multiple books, please put them in one box and use one shipping label. You can also return your books at the bookstore.
Where do I return my textbooks and/or other course materials?
Items must be returned to the campus bookstore that processed your order (Macon or Atlanta). Materials may be shipped back to the bookstore with a discounted shipping label.
What if I damage my rental textbook?
Good condition will be judged by the bookstore alone and generally means book spine intact, no excessive damage to cover or contents, all original pages intact, all original components present, and no excessive highlighting, writing or other markings. If the bookstore determines your book to be unacceptable for return, the book will be returned to you. You will receive an email notification from the bookstore that explains next steps. It is recommended that you upgrade to a purchase within the rental timeline, as the purchase would be cheaper versus the replacement cost of the textbook. Replacement costs for Bear Book Bundle rentals will be charged to your student account, resulting in a potential hold.
What happens if I don’t return my books to the bookstore?
You will receive several notification reminders about returning your books. If you do not return your books, an email notice will be sent to you from Auxiliary Services stating that (1) a charge for the course materials replacement will be added to your account and (2) a hold will be placed on your account until the balance is paid. A hold on your account means that you are ineligible to register for classes, request transcripts, or graduate until the matter is resolved. Payment for course materials can be made in person to Auxiliary Services at either the Macon or Atlanta campus offices.
What if my course schedule changes?
You may return the textbook to the bookstore on the same terms and timelines currently in place. If you drop a class and enroll in a different class, the bookstore will exchange the required textbooks/codes so that you have what you need.
Do I need to return textbooks if they are for a continuation course?
While textbooks will need to be returned at the end of term, you can contact the bookstore team so they can assist you in keeping your existing rental for the next semester of the continuation course.
I attend classes at a Regional Academic Center and utilize the Bear Book Bundle program. If I get course materials for both sessions in the book bundle but then change classes for the second session, how do I handle the return and the purchase of the new course materials?
You are given until the last day of final exams to return the dropped class materials in a semester without penalty. There is no additional fee unless the class change impacted your number of credit hours for the semester. For example, if you were enrolled for 12 credit hours in the original schedule and 12 credit hours in your revised schedule, there would be no additional fee for the book bundle because your number of credit hours remained the same. Your account will be adjusted if you increase or decrease the number of credit hours within a semester.
For the new materials, you will receive an email asking you to reconfirm your class listing within 24-48 hours of registration. A new order is created based on this confirmation. You choose to either pick up the materials at the store of origin or have them shipped to you. Once shipped, you typically receive the materials within 24 hours.
Purchasing Course Materials
Can I buy my rented textbook?
Yes! The program provides you with the option to purchase textbooks at a reduced rate during the return period. Contact the bookstore for details. The charges for a purchase of print or digital course materials are to be paid directly to the bookstore.
How do I pay for course materials I want to keep?
Coordinate the purchase of course materials directly with the bookstore. Charges for the purchase of a textbook or digital version rented through the Bear Book Bundle are not transferred to your Mercer student account.
How do I purchase my course materials if I decide to opt out of the Bear Book Bundle?
If you opt out of the program, Mercer provides you the opportunity to obtain required course materials from any source and adheres to the following policy:
- Students may opt to purchase materials from other unaffiliated sources, including online sources.
- Mercer will not restrict the availability of financial aid funds so that students who opt out may purchase required course materials from other sources in a timely manner.
Bookstore Contacts
How do I contact the bookstore for assistance?
Students can contact the Mercer bookstore team via email at bookstore@mercer.edu or call directly:
Macon Campus Store: (478) 301-2945
Atlanta Campus Store: (678) 547-6350
Bear Book Bundle Hotline: (478) 301-2958
