Skip to main content
Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas University

The Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative

Support us by donating to the KSU Foundation

 

 

Open/Alternative Resource

About the initiative

Since 2013, the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative has saved K-State students nearly $5 million by providing access to high-quality, affordable digital textbooks.

Textbook costs have risen three times the rate of inflation creating a financial burden for students. But with K-State’s initiative, students pay only $10 per class to access their course materials online. Not only do students save money, but they receive immediate access to customized content for their classes.

How the initiative works

The Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative provides grants to K-State faculty and instructors to help them develop or adopt alternatives to traditional print textbooks. Students can then look for the open/alternative textbook icon in the course schedule to find classes using these affordable resources.

Grants are funded through donor support and a portion of the $10 fee paid by students. In the last five years, nearly $500,000 invested in the program has yielded nearly $5 million in student savings.

Apply for a grant

All K-State faculty and instructors who teach a course at K-State can apply for an award ranging between $2,000 and $5,000. There are two application and award cycles each year.

Are you excited about the idea of saving your students money, but don’t know where to start? We are here to help! Contact any of the people and teams listed below and they will help walk you through the process.

Last modified date: 6 March 2020 - 3:23pm