What is CTAP?

The Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP) is a program that provides access to all required course materials for undergraduate students before the first day of class for one low, flat fee per semester.

What’s included in CTAP?

CTAP course materials will be prioritized for digital content first. Where digital content is not available, physical materials will be provided. Clicker subscriptions are also included.

When does the expanded CTAP program begin?

The expanded CTAP program is effective with the Fall 2023 semester.

Why is UH expanding CTAP?

The course by course model first introduced to UH proved to be extremely popular with both students and faculty. In fact, in surveys conducted of participating CTAP students, 85% indicated they wanted the University to offer all classes as part of CTAP, citing convenience, timely access, and less stress as benefits of the program.

How do I know if I’m eligible for CTAP course?

All undergraduate students will automatically be opted into CTAP upon registration; no separate action is required. Graduate programs are not part of CTAP at this time.

How much is the CTAP fee?

Undergraduate students will be charged $299 plus $24.67 sales tax for each Fall and Spring semester; and $180 plus $14.85 sales tax for Summer semesters. CTAP fees are added to your student fee bill as a “learning material course fee,” and financial aid and scholarships may be applied. You may opt out of CTAP on a semester-by-semester basis.

Are CTAP fees subject to sales tax?

Yes, CTAP fees are subject to the 8.25% Texas state sales tax. This equates to $24.67 for the Fall and Spring semesters and $14.85 for Summer semesters.

Can I use financial aid to pay for CTAP fees?

If you have been awarded financial aid and your award surpasses the cost of tuition and fees, the CTAP cost can be covered by the aid you have already been awarded. Please contact the Student Financial Aid Office for questions related to your specific situation at sfa@central.uh.edu. 

Are part-time students included in CTAP?

Yes, all undergraduate students, both full time and part time, are included in CTAP.

Are graduate students eligible for CTAP?

The University will monitor graduate courses for possible future expansion.

How do I contact someone if I have questions?

Please email ctapuh@central.uh.edu or call (832) 842-9053.

OPTING IN AND OUT

How do I opt in to CTAP?

All undergraduate students are automatically opted in to CTAP upon registering for classes.

Can I opt out of CTAP?

Yes, you may opt out of CTAP on a semester-by-semester basis. Please note if that if you opt out of CTAP, you will be responsible for procuring course materials on your own.

How do I opt out?

Access your student account and click on the “Financials” icon. Click on “CTAP Opt Out” in the left-hand column, then click the "Opt Out" button. 

I opted out but want to opt back in. Can I?

Yes, you may opt back in any time up through Official Reporting Day (ORD) for the main session each semester. To opt back in, access your student account and click on the “Financials” icon. Click on “CTAP Opt Out” in the left-hand column, then click the “Opt In” button.

If I choose to opt out of CTAP, will I be refunded the fee?

As long as you opt out of CTAP by the main session Official Reporting Day (ORD) deadline as reflected in the academic calendar, your student fee bill will be adjusted for any related CTAP fees. Please contact the Office of Student Business Services for questions related to refunds at bursar@uh.edu. 

When will the opt out window open?

The opt out window will open in alignment with student fee bills being posted each term. The opt out window will remain open until Official Reporting Day (ORD) for the main session. For Fall 2023, the opt-out deadline is September 6th. 

What is the last day to opt out?

The opt out deadline for CTAP is Official Reporting Day (ORD) for the main session for each semester, which is the last day you may add a class. For Fall 2023, the opt-out deadline is September 6th. Please note that if you opt out of CTAP, you will be responsible for procuring course materials on your own.

If I withdraw from the University, will I be refunded the CTAP fee?

The eligibility for adjustments to student fee bills for students who withdraw are subject to the University’s policies. Please click here to see more information on the refunds schedule.

DIGITAL COURSE MATERIALS

How do I access the digital course materials?

Digital course materials will be available to students in Canvas, the Learning Management System for the University.

Digital eBooks/Digital Coded Courseware/Brytewave

Some materials will be available to you from our partner Brytewave. If you receive an email from Brytewave – don’t delete it! The email contains important information about items that have been added to your digital bookshelf.

You may access your digital bookshelf in Canvas.  If you see a ‘Brytewave Course Materials’ link located in the navigation panel, it will take you to your digital bookshelf, which will have all your eBooks and coded courseware for the term (and, in some cases, you may see lifetime books from past terms). An example of a coded courseware is Pearson MyLab. These codes have a quick copy to clipboard function to help you paste them on instructor- provided URLs. More information on your digital bookshelf.

 Bypass Courseware

Some courseware is accessible from links that your professor(s) and publishers input into Canvas. Please note that you may be required to set up an account with the publisher in order to access the materials.

All students will have access to this type of courseware until the term’s drop/add deadline, even if you opted out of CTAP. Should you decide to opt out of CTAP, you will no longer have access to the materials once the drop/add deadline has passed. Students who opt out will see a paywall go up after the deadline, in which case you will need to purchase the code(s) and enter it to regain access to the materials. Examples are McGraw Hill Connect and Cengage MindTap codes.

Will I have access to the digital materials in my CTAP course after the semester is finished?

Digital materials are available through the entire semester.

Can I get a printed copy of digital materials?

Digital formatted materials help keep the price of CTAP affordable. However, printed loose-leaf materials may be available upon request on a case-by-case basis for an additional fee. Please contact the Campus Store at ctapuh@central.uh.edu.

If I register as an undergraduate student after the semester has already started, when can I expect to have access to the digital materials?

Within 24 hours of registration.

PHYSICAL COURSE MATERIALS

Are there physical course materials included in CTAP?

Most course materials will be in digital format; however, some classes may have physical course materials as part of CTAP.

When and how will I know my physical course materials are available?

You will receive an email from Your UH Campus Store when your items are available. Be sure to look for an email from sender name customerservice@efollett.com. Your UH Campus Store will be hosting book pick-up by student Last Name. Make sure you have your Cougar Card or State ID for pick up.

What if I need my physical course materials shipped?

Physical materials may be shipped to you for a fee of $7.99.

1. Go to uhcampusstore.com webpage to purchase the CTAP Shipping Fee.
2. Add the shipping fee to your bag and proceed to checkout.
3. Sign in to your shopping account, or check out as a guest by entering an email address
   to receive notifications and click Proceed to Delivery Method.
4. Choose ‘Ship to an Address’ and enter the address for where you need your items shipped.
5. (This is an important step!) Check the box next to ‘Any Special Instructions?’
   1. Provide us with you the following information:
      1. Type into the field ‘CTAP Student’
      2. Provide us your Student ID
6. Proceed to the payment method.
   1. Please note that you will see two shipping fees on your bill, but one will be
      removed from the order when the store team is processing your CTAP shipping
      request. *You will not be charged twice for shipping*
7. Once the product has shipped out, you will receive an email with tracking information.

If you opt out of CTAP or drop a course after you have received physical course materials, you must return the physical course materials to Your UH Campus Store. The Fall 2023 return deadline for CTAP physical materials is September 15.  

Do I need to return physical course materials at the end of the semester?

No. Physical course materials are yours to keep in the CTAP program.

Can I sell my physical course materials during buyback?

Yes, physical course materials are eligible for buyback from Your UH Campus Store.

If I already received physical course materials but later opted out of CTAP, dropped a course, or withdrew from the University; what happens if I don’t return the physical course materials to my UH Campus Store?

If you have physical course materials that need to be returned to Your UH Campus Store because you opted out, dropped a course, or withdrew from the University, and you do not return the materials to Your UH Campus Store by the appropriate deadline, the CTAP fee will be charged in full to your student account. The Fall 2023 return deadline for CTAP physical materials is September 15.  

How long do I have to pick up physical course materials?

Students should make every effort to pick up physical course materials no later than two weeks into a semester.

Are lab materials such as goggles, science kits and art kits included in the CTAP fee?

No. Only digital and print course materials and clickers are included in the CTAP fee.

FACULTY FAQs

Will CTAP affect my academic freedom to choose my own materials?

No. CTAP was built with the intent to ensure academic freedom remains intact. You will be able to use the same materials you do now, although you will need to be using the most recent edition available.

How soon do I need to submit my course material adoptions to the UH Campus Store?

Course material adoption deadlines will remain the same:

     Summer Deadline: March 15th

     Fall Deadline: April 15th

     Spring Deadline: October 15th

What if I would like to utilize physical desk copies of the course materials I teach?

The UH Campus Store will help faculty obtain instructor desk copies of current editions as needed.

How will ancillary materials be delivered to faculty?

Ancillary materials such as PowerPoints, quizzes, test banks, and solutions will be delivered in the same manner as they are now.

Where will I be able to access the digital learning materials I am teaching?

Digital materials will be available through the Canvas Learning Management System.

I have never used digital learning materials before. Will I receive training?

Yes, publishers will provide training opportunities for faculty to ensure you are comfortable working with your digital learning materials.

Will CTAP have an impact on my students’ learning experience?

Yes! Students will receive course materials before the first day of class, which means they are prepared for learning on day one.

Do you have suggested language for CTAP that faculty may use on their syllabi?

Below is a template that you may want to consider using for your syllabi. Feel free to customize the message for your particular course.

Undergraduate students enrolled in this course have been automatically opted into the Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP). CTAP provides undergraduate students access to all your required course materials before the first day of class, for one low, flat fee. Digital materials are available through Canvas, our Learning Management System (LMS). If there are physical materials assigned in this course, Your UH Campus Store will email you when they are ready to be picked up. You may choose to opt out of the CTAP fee through your student account; however, if you opt out, you will need to procure the course materials for all your classes on your own. Please visit the CTAP website for more detailed information or email ctapuh@central.uh.edu.