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NOVA All Access

image of a woman with books

What is NOVA All Access?

NOVA All Access is a course materials program designed to make getting your textbooks easier and more predictable. Instead of searching for and purchasing materials on your own, your required textbooks and digital course materials are provided at a single, flat rate.

With the NOVA All Access program, your materials are ready at the start of the semester so you can begin your coursework right away. Participation is optional, and you can review your materials and compare costs before deciding whether the program is right for you.

Access Your Personalized Course Materials

How it Works

1. Register For Classes

When you register for courses, you are automatically enrolled in the NOVA All Access program. The bookstore then begins preparing the required course materials for your schedule.

2. Verify Your Order

About 30 days before the semester begins, you will receive an email prompting you to review your assigned course materials and select a delivery option for any physical textbooks.

3. Get Your Materials

You will receive an email when your physical textbooks are ready for campus pickup or have shipped to your address. Digital course materials will be available directly in your course through Canvas.

Understanding the Cost of NOVA All Access

Use the cost calculator to compare the NOVA All Access program fee with the cost of purchasing course materials independently. If the calculator shows that All Access costs more than purchasing materials on your own, you may choose to opt out of the program. Students enrolled in courses that use Open Educational Resources (OER) or that do not require course materials may also find that opting out is the more cost-effective option.

Important Exclusions

NOVA All Access does not apply to:

  • Workforce and Professional Development Students (non-credit, registering through MyWorkforce)
  • Contracted Dual Enrollment Students

Important Participation Details

  • All-or-nothing participation: If you opt out of NOVA All Access, the decision applies to all of your classes for that semester.
  • Limited opt-out window: Students may opt out or opt back in only during the designated participation period each semester.
  • Refunds and fees:
    • If you opt out, the All Access fee will be refunded.
    • If you opt back in, the fee will be added to your account again.

Compare Your Course Material Costs

Use the cost calculator to compare the cost of materials with and without All Access. If your cost is lower without All Access, you should opt out. When doing your calculations, consider:

  • Cost example: At $22.50 per credit hour, a 15-credit semester would cost $337.50.
  • Excluded items: All Access doesn’t cover items that can’t be returned (e.g., lab goggles). You’ll need to buy these separately, so include them in your cost comparison.
  • Rental vs. purchase:
    • In All Access, most books are rentals—but not all.
    • Workbooks and books with claim codes are purchases (that you can keep) because they can’t be reused.
    • You can choose to purchase your rented books at the end of the semester.

Opting Out of All Access

Opt-Out Windows

Spring 2026
The opt-out window for Spring 2026 is closed.

Summer 2026
Opens on April 20, 2026 and closes on your earliest census date.

Fall 2026
Opens on July 27, 2026 and closes on your earliest census date.

To find the specific dates for your session:

When you can opt out

You can opt out of NOVA All Access beginning 30 days before the start of your session. If you're enrolled in multiple sessions, your opt-out window begins 30 days before your earliest session.

Example: If you're enrolled in both 15-week classes and 13-week classes, your opt-out window opens 30 days before the beginning of 15-week classes.

Deadline to opt out

Your opt-out window closes on your earliest census date.
(Refer to NOVA’s Academic Calendar for exact dates.)

For Spring 2026, the opt-out/opt-in window is closed. The opt-out period for Summer 2026 opens on April 20, 2026. The opt-out period for Fall 2026 opens on July 27, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

All NOVA academic, for-credit courses are included in the NOVA All Access program except for contracted Dual Enrollment courses (with a “D” designator). Included and enrolled students can opt out of the program before their earliest census date at the link above.

The cost is $22.50 per credit hour. This covers all non-consumable course materials that are required for the course.

All students will be automatically enrolled in NOVA All Access unless their program is excluded.

The program provides all required physical textbooks and digital materials, access codes, and required lab manuals to students.

The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused, such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, engineering kits or nursing kits.

No. You can opt out of NOVA All Access and get your course materials as before. The opt-out period will open 30 days before the first day of class and close on the census date for the session, as described above. (See the College’s Academic Calendar and NOVA Online Calendar for specific dates).

During the opt-out period, you may opt-out and even opt back in if you determine that NOVA All Access is the best fit for you.

The All Access refund follows the NOVA’s refund process (like tuition). Information is available on that page about the processing time and who to contact with questions.

When the opt-out window is open, please refer to the instructions about how to opt back in.

If you determine that NOVA All Access is not the best fit for your needs, the required materials for your course(s) can be viewed on the bookstore website. Your course materials will be readily available online or in the store.

All physical materials provided through NOVA All Access are rentals. However, you will have the option to purchase your textbooks at a reduced rate during the rental return period.

OER courses are included in the NOVA All Access program. If you are only taking OER courses and you have no cost for materials, you should opt-out of the program. If you are taking a combination of OER and non-OER courses, take a look at your personalized course materials page and and the cost calculator to determine your cost savings. This will vary by semester and depends on your course load

You cannot opt out of only some classes. Your decision each semester is to participate in NOVA All Access or not. You cannot opt out for specific classes, but you will be able to change your selection each semester, if you feel that NOVA All Access is a better fit for you that semester.

Most electronic and digital materials are delivered directly to your Canvas course. Some electronic materials may still required access codes delivered via a physical card.

Financial aid and NOVA All Access are separate. However, if you don’t opt out of All Access, the cost of your course materials is included as a fee in your account summary. Any pending financial aid you’re awarded will be applied to your tuition and fees, including the All Access fee of $22.50 per credit.

If you do opt out of All Access, that fee is removed (or refunded if you’ve already paid it). You can then use excess financial aid to buy or rent books and supplies at the NOVA Bookstore.

Whether you’re using financial aid to:

  • Purchase or rent books and supplies outside of All Access, or
  • Purchase books and materials not covered by All Access (including laptops),

You need to complete the Bookstore Authorization e-Form once per academic year. This form will appear on your myNOVA To Do List if you’re eligible to complete it.

For more information on getting books with financial aid, visit the NOVA financial aid policies page about buying books and supplies.

Only Chapter 31 benefits will cover All Access fees. For any other questions about military and veteran benefits, please reach out to NOVA’s Office of Military and Veteran Services.