Rent-A-Text FAQs

Rent-A-Text provides you with the option of renting a new or used textbook for an academic term rather than purchasing it. At the end of the term (but before your rental return date), you simply bring or ship the textbook back to the bookstore where it is checked in. Renting instead of buying can save you more than 50% on average compared to the purchase price of a new textbook.

Step 1: See if your books are available to rent. If so you will see a "For Rent" tag next to the book both in the campus bookstore and the online bookstore.

Step 2: Review the terms and conditions of the Rent-A-Text program which include charges and fees for non-returned books.

Step 3: Complete the rental agreement online to be rental eligible. The rental agreement requires a credit card, driver's license or state ID, and an e-mail address.

**Students can also complete a ONE TIME Express Registration Agreement in campus bookstores. At the point of sale, you can supply your name, phone number, e-mail address and form of collateral, however before being allowed to rent again, you must complete the rental agreement online.**

Step 4: Return your book at the end of the semester by Follett's deadline in order to avoid fees. Follett will communicate the deadline at the point of rental and will send you a reminder e-mail near the end of the semester.

1. Students will be required to provide collateral at the time of rental regardless of how they are paying for the rental fee. This information is gathered, encrypted, and held securely in the event the rented book(s) is not returned.
2. Students will be required to have a valid driver's license or state-issued ID to rent. This is also to assist in collections if the student doesn't return the book.
3. Students will be required to have an electronic message address (e-mail or cell phone). This is to send e-mail reminders to students regarding when to return the book.
4. Students are required to be 18 years of age in order to sign the rental agreement. Minor students can have their parents rent the needed course materials.

You can pay for your rental books the same way you would if you were purchasing new or used books, using a credit card, debit card, check, and cash or beginning July 26th your financial aid. But no matter how you pay, Follett will only charge the card number you provide on your rental agreement form if you don't bring your books back by the return date. (Look for that date on your receipt.)

Rentable textbooks will be clearly labeled on the shelf. Follett will also have each rental textbook in their system, so when you checkout you will again be reminded that you can rent and save 50% or more. The same approach applies online. Each rentable textbook will be labeled and you'll be presented with that option in your online shopping cart before checking out.

Rent-A-Text represents thousands of the nation's most popular textbook titles. The rental model only works when we have an anticipated use and reuse of a title. Some books, like workbooks and other consumables, won't be rented.

All rented books should be shipped/returned to the bookstore by the return date on your receipt (or packing slip, if you order online). This should give you plenty of time to glean an entire semester's worth of knowledge and carry you through finals. Follett will also attach a sticker to all the books you rent AND send you reminder emails at the end of each term to help you remember to return your rented books.

Do not rent your textbook if you believe there is a risk you may not return the book on time. If you do not return the book you rent, you will be charged the rental fee plus 75% of the cost of a new book plus a 7.5% processing fee. For example, you will be charged $132.50 by the bookstore for a $100 textbook that you rented for $50 if the book is not returned ($50.00 + $75.00 + $7.50 = $132.50).

These additional charges will be posted to he debit or credit card (including a HigherOne debit card) you used for collateral when you signed up to rent. If these additional fees for non-return exceed your credit limit or debit cards account available balance, you will likely also be charged a fee or penalty by your credit card or debit Card Company in addition to the charges from Follett.

If you don't check in your rental book on time, the bookstore will need to source another copy of the book in order to have enough quantities on hand for the next semester. The fees cover the additional expenses of finding another copy of the book.

Follett will issue reminders to your e-mail address on your rental agreement, but it is the responsibility of the person renting the book to ensure that it is returned in good condition on time to avoid charges in addition to the rental fee.

Convert your rental to a purchase if you wish to keep it or if you fear it may get lost. You may do so by paying the difference between rental cost and new book price if you perform the conversion transaction prior to the standard bookstore refund deadline. You may do so after the bookstore refund deadline but before the rental return due date by paying the difference between rental cost and new book cost plus 10%.

Rental refunds will be allowed during the normal store refund period. Of course, the regular refund rules will still apply: the book needs to be in the same condition as it was when it was rented and you'll need a copy of your receipt.

Yes we respect you and your learning style enough to not dictate what you do (or don't do) with your books….within reason, of course. Normal highlighting and note-taking are perfectly acceptable. So, what's prohibited? It's prohibited to make any excessive markings that would render the book unusable for the next customer.

If a student returns a rental by the return date, but it is in too bad of condition, Follett will check the book and classify it as un-useable or damaged. This prevents the student from being assessed the non return charge, however the difference of what the rental cost and the cost of a new book would be assessed to their collateral automatically during check in.

With text rental already being the cheapest way to buy your books, Follett's can't honor other bookstore discounts.

Sadly, you cannot. However, your parents (or guardian) certainly can. Just remember that they probably won't be here at finals to return the rented books…and nothing will get you a stern talking to like an unwanted credit card charge.