Textbooks
Kish provides all required physical or digital textbooks and/or digital codes to students by the first day of class. Please note that any optional textbooks, kits, uniforms or other supplies are the student’s responsibility to purchase and are not included with the textbook distribution.
Text Books Are All-In
Kishwaukee College will include all fees and textbooks in the cost of tuition. The
new textbook initiative provides students with all required physical or digital textbooks
as part of the cost of tuition.
Students will see one charge on their financial statements, which includes tuition,
fees and required textbooks.
How it works
- All students are eligible for textbooks when they register for classes. Students may opt out of receiving their textbooks (see below).
- Each semester, students could have a mix of physical and digital textbooks. Most digital textbooks will be accessible through D2L by the first day of class. For the physical textbooks, students will be contacted via email about pickup details once available or shipping options if preferred.
- The textbooks are paid for by the student with their tuition dollars.
Physical textbooks must be returned at the end of the semester. A replacement fee will be billed to student accounts if physical textbooks are not returned by the deadline.
Fall 2025 Rental Return
Use the sections below to see how and where to return your textbooks, calculators, microscopes, or college-issued devices for Fall 2025. Each item type has its own return instructions.
How to Return Your Materials
You can return your physical textbooks by using the drop box outside or by dropping them off at the Kish Store during open hours.
- The drop box under the flagpole in front of door 6 — or —
- Directly to the Kish Store from 8:00 am-4:00 pm on Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Friday.
Bring your calculator to the Kish Store during open hours to return it.
- Directly to the Kish Store from 8:00 am-4:00 pm on Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Friday.
Bring your microscope to the Kish Store during open hours to return it.
- Directly to the Kish Store from 8:00 am-4:00 pm on Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Friday.
Bring your laptop or Chromebook to the IT Helpdesk, or reach out to make other return arrangements.
- IT Helpdesk A1300
- Please make additional arrangements by contacting the IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@kish.edu or 815-825-9888
Opting Out
If students choose not to receive their textbooks from Kishwaukee College, they may opt out and purchase textbooks on their own before the opt-out deadline. If you opt out, you can purchase textbooks and digital materials individually through the Kish Store or an open marketplace.
Opt-Out Deadline for Fall 2025:
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
Cost Comparisons for One Semester
| Purchasing independently(estimated costs) | Student Textbook Costs Included in Tuition | Estimated savings | |
| Associate in Science Transfer Student(15 credit hours) | $285 | $120 | $165 |
| Associate in Arts Part-Time Student(6 credit hours) | $90 | $48 |
$42 |
| Associate in Applied Science Nursing Student(10 credit hours of NUR courses) | $680 | $120 | $560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providing textbooks this way allows for more affordable textbooks, easier budgeting, cost transparency and immediate access. Immediate access has been shown to increase course completion and improve student success.
Dual credit and adult education courses (non-credit earning) will not receive their textbooks automatically. Each dual credit partner institution has its own textbook policies (please check your school’s policy). Adult education courses vary by course. Check with your adult education instructor to learn more about your textbook options.
The College has included your textbooks as part of your tuition cost. You may opt out of receiving your textbooks if you choose.
Kish is focusing on creating transparency and equity in its cost of attendance. By modeling the textbook fees based on credit hours (like tuition), Kish will reduce financial inequity so that every student has access to the same academic opportunities, regardless of the field in which they choose to study.
Yes. However, if you choose to opt out, you must purchase your textbooks at current retail or resale prices either by ordering online from the Kish Store or a marketplace of your choosing. You must make this choice each semester.
We understand this approach may not meet the needs of every student. If you do not wish to receive your textbooks automatically, you will need to opt out every semester. The opt-out page link becomes available when the term is active and you have registered for classes. You can also easily opt in again if you change your mind.
No. Access to textbooks is an all-in or all-out solution to bring affordability to students at Kish.
When available, you will be notified via your Kish email about pick-up or shipping options for physical textbooks. This communication will typically take place approximately two weeks before the start of classes. Your digital textbooks will be available in D2L around the first day of classes. If you need log-in assistance, please contact your instructor or the Kish Store for support.
If you need accommodation or an alternate text format, please contact Disability Services at 815-825-2931 or ds@kish.edu.
Required course materials are provided in the most cost-effective format. Each semester, you could have a mix of physical and digital materials.
If you opted into receiving your textbooks, you may purchase your title in the Kish Store. If you opt out, you can purchase your text in the Kish Store or from the retailer of your choosing. If the text is a one-time-use material, like a lab manual, it is yours to keep.
If the textbook is not returned by the due date each semester, you will be billed a replacement fee.
Use the link below to compare course material costs based on your class schedule.
Additional Resources
Additional materials to support your courses can be accessed through Library Services. For more information or additional questions, please contact the Kishwaukee College Library at library@kish.edu or 815-825-9330.
Are you in need of technological assistance? The IT Helpdesk can provide a Chromebook or laptop for loan over the course of the semester to complete
courses.
Phone: 815-825-9888
Email: helpdesk@kish.edu