TCC Plus Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions or need more information about the TCC Plus program (Powered by First Day™), contact the Student Learning Materials Office at slm@tccd.edu.

General Questions About TCC Plus

Cost

Technical Support


What is TCC Plus (Powered by First Day™)?

The TCC Plus program provides discounted digital textbooks and course materials to our students. Courses participating in the TCC Plus program include the cost of a digital textbook, along with interactive learning content, in the class cost.

What is an interactive or adaptive learning platform?

Interactive or adaptive learning platforms provide enhanced learning experiences beyond reading the text. TCC Plus digital textbooks and course materials offer interactive content which may include multimedia video and audio presentations, animations, adaptive quizzes and homework sets, peer-to-peer sharing of notes, and digital flashcards that you can use with smartphone apps. It also allows for various levels of customization by the instructor.

Do I need to pay for an access code?

You do not need to pay additional money for an access code. Once you've paid your tuition, you've paid for your course materials, including any access codes and digital textbooks needed.

Follow the specific instructions provided by your instructor in Canvas to successfully access the digital textbook and other course materials. If you have any problems, contact your instructor or our technical support team for additional help.

Can I buy a printed copy of the digital textbook?

A limited amount of print copies is available for most TCC Plus courses.

You can secure a printed copy for an additional discounted price at the bookstore after the census date for your course. You must request the TCC Plus print upgrade and provide proof of current enrollment in a TCC Plus course.

If you have opted out of TCC Plus, you cannot purchase the printed version.

I dropped my TCC Plus course. Do I still need to opt out?

No. You will automatically be removed from the course and lose access to the materials. Refunds are issued for the course materials if the drop occurs on or before the official day of record (census date). If you drop the course after the census date, you are liable for the course materials charge.

Does it cost more money to take a TCC Plus course?

No. You are responsible for securing required course materials to be successful in any course.

Fortunately, TCC Plus prices are lower than purchasing the materials directly through the publisher or bookstore, and are an average of 50% less than the cost of printed text. Prices vary by course.

How much money can I save by taking a TCC Plus course?

Savings vary by course, but you can save on average 50% more than if you were to purchase textbooks or access codes elsewhere.

Example savings include:

Course TCC Plus Price Standard Price Cost Savings
FREN-1411 $63.33 $135.30 $71.97
MATH-0361 $63.33 $76.45 $13.12
COSC-1301 $85.56 $141.20 $55.64
CHEM-1406 $63.33 $129.40 $66.07
ARTS-1301 $24.44 $47.05 $22.61

How do I pay for my TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials?

When you pay for your classes, you're paying for your TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials at the same time.

The TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials are listed as a "Course materials charge" on your tuition breakdown. The course materials charge is posted to your account when you register for a TCC Plus course and can be covered by financial aid and tuition payment plans.

Can I make payments?

Yes. Since the TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials are included in your class cost, the charge may be included as part of your tuition payment plan.

Will financial aid cover the TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials cost?

Yes. However, to ensure financial aid covers your TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials cost, you cannot choose to opt out before the official day of record for your course (census date).

Will VA Post 9/11 (Ch.33) cover the TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials cost?

No. Just as with your other books and course materials, you are responsible for paying the cost of the digital textbook and other course materials. This fee cannot be directly billed to the VA since it is an optional charge.

If you receive a book stipend or housing allowance (BAH), you may use those funds to cover the cost of the materials. In most cases, TCC Plus will still cost less than purchasing a regular textbook.

Will my tuition exemption/waiver apply to the TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials cost?

No. You are responsible for paying for the digital textbook and other course materials, even if your tuition is exempt or waived.

If I have a billing or refund question, who do I contact?

Contact Business Services.

Can I opt out of the TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials cost?

If you prefer not to participate in TCC Plus, you must opt out by the official day of record (census date) for the course. Learn more about opting out of the TCC Plus program.

How do I access my TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials?

Access your TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials through Canvas and by referring to specific instructions provided by your instructor.

I'm having trouble accessing my TCC Plus digital textbook and course materials in Canvas. What should I do?

Did you opt out of receiving TCC Plus digital textbooks and course materials? If you did not, review the specific instructions provided by your instructor on accessing your course materials.

If you opted out of the TCC Plus program, you no longer have access to the TCC Plus digital textbook or course materials. Learn more about opting back in to the TCC Plus program.

If you continue to experience problems, contact our technical support team.

I opted out and realized that I still need access to my digital textbook and course materials. Can I opt back in?

Yes, as long as it is before the official day of record/census date (listed on the academic calendar) for your course.

Learn how to opt back in to the TCC Plus program.

Updated January 20, 2023