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Each semester, Bookstore Accounts are made available to students for a limited period of time.  Accommodations cannot be made after closed dates.  Please see Important Dates

Bookstore Accounts are available to students who
1) have Financial Aid Awards;
2) are registered for classes;
3) have met Satisfactory Academic Progress; and have access funds available after paying tuition and fees.

NOTE:  Students must be meeting the minimum requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress  to be eligible for receipt of aid.  Students currently on Financial Aid Probation may be subject to delays for charging due to assessment of eligibility at the end of each academic term.

Students should bring a printed copy of their class schedule with them when planning to purchase books.

CCCOnline students should check the  CCCOnline web pages for more information.

1. What campus should I purchase my books from? 
It's best to purchase your textbooks at the campus where you will be taking the class. Each campus carries textbooks that their instructors select.  Books will vary by campus.  One exception: FRCC Online courses have the same books at all our bookstores.
 
2. Why do you offer two different buybacks per semester?
The first type of buyback is a store buyback. This is at the end of each semester usually during finals week. The bookstore will purchase books that can be used for the upcoming semester. We offer up to 50% of new and used purchase price of your books. The second type of buyback is wholesale. A company comes in to purchase books that are needed for other colleges across the U.S. Their prices are determined by supply and demand of the title and they usually offer one third the price of new. Please remember that buybacks are an opportunity for you to receive cash for your unwanted textbooks; there is no guarantee that you will receive any money. We reserve the right to refuse any textbook that does not meet our criteria. A receipt is not necessary to sell books at buyback. Current buyback dates are on the   important dates  link.
Why Aren't My Used Books Worth More? -used book buyback brochure (pdf)
 
3. When are textbooks available for each semester?
The majority of textbooks are available three weeks before classes start.  We stock both new and used books.  Used books will sell out first and are sold on a first come first served basis.  We do not reserve books at this time.

4. When will my financial aid book voucher be available for me to use? Please check with your financial aid counselor or on their web site for this information.  Please remember to bring your student ID card with you when you are ready to purchase items with your financial aid book voucher.

5. How do I know which books I need?
Please bring your class schedule to assure you are selecting the correct textbooks.  Different sections of a course can use different textbooks and the only way to clarify this is to have your class schedule in hand at the time of purchase.
Buying College Textbooks

6. What forms of payment are accepted in the bookstores?
We accept cash, money orders, VISA, MasterCard, Checks (with your student ID card or drivers license) and when available financial aid book vouchers and third party charges.  We also offer gift certificates.
 
7. Why do I need to keep my cash register receipts?
A current receipt is REQUIRED for all returns and exchanges done during the refund period (this information is on your receipt).  It’s also a good idea to keep your receipts for income tax purposes or if another party is reimbursing you for your purchase.

8. Who selects the textbooks for the FRCC Bookstores?
Course materials are chosen by each instructor or department and are selected by the information that best fits their instructional needs.  Instructors choose texts that will best compliment, amplify, expand and enrich what they will present to their class.  The value of the text is in the usefulness of the product in teaching the course whether as a main text, a resource, extra reading for overview and/or comparison, or required readings.  The textbook is an investment in your education.
 
9. Why should I purchase my textbooks?
Textbooks and course materials serve as “tools of the trade” to inform and guide students toward subject matter mastery and classroom success.  Textbooks provide you with a 24-hour-a-day resource that gives you access to the knowledge, insights and experience of authors who are subject matter experts and outstanding teachers.  Textbooks are thoughtfully written and carefully developed to instill large amounts of often complex information in an organized format that is logical and readable and appealing.

10. Why do textbooks cost so much?
Many factors affect the price of a textbook.  These factors include author royalties, publisher costs, marketing, free ancillaries provided to faculty such as desk copies and materials used to make the book.  For an informative chart please click here.
Why Do My Textbooks Cost So Much? -textbook cost brochure (pdf)
 
11. Which are better, new or used textbooks
This is a matter of preference.  Most used textbooks are priced at approximately 75% of the new textbook price.  These books are less expensive but may contain writing, highlighting or other marks and are sold “as is”.  Many new textbooks now come shrink wrapped with other materials that can be helpful for your studying.  With used books these items are not always there; you usually get only the textbook.  Some textbooks are only stocked new.  This is because the book might be a workbook or it has other materials shrink wrapped with it and the teacher “requires” all the items for the class.  In this case we cannot purchase used stock of this item.
 
12. What is the difference between a “buyback” and a “return”?
A "buyback" is done at certain times of the year, usually the beginning and end of a semester (see important dates for upcoming events).  At this time you can "sell back" your unwanted textbooks and get cash.  You do not need to have your receipt. If there is a need for your unwanted textbook, a dollar amount will be offered.  The bookstore offers 50% of new or used purchase price; if we don't need the book, the wholesale company might offer one-third of the new purchase price, or the particular textbook may not have any value at all. We reserve the right to refuse any textbook that does not meet our criteria. A "return" is done for a limited time period, usually the first few days of each semester, and you are required to have your current receipt of purchase.  At this time you get a full refund or exchange of your item (other restrictions apply please see refund policy on your cash register receipt).
 
13. Can I have my textbooks shipped to me?
Yes, you can order your textbooks on-line and have them shipped to you.  There will be a shipping charge and the total bill needs to be paid by either VISA or MasterCard.  Please go to the textbooks link of the campus you are attending to order.
 
14. What is the difference between FRCC and CCC online courses?
FRCC online courses are taught by our instructors and have sections that begin with number "500".  Our bookstores stock textbooks for these classes.  Please see the Online Learning section in the current semester schedule for more information.  CCC online courses are provided by an independent branch of the Colorado Community College system (CCC). Their sections begin with a letter "C" followed by two numbers (ex. C12).  Our bookstores DO NOT stock textbooks for these courses.  Please see the CCConline section in the current semester schedule for more information and how to order your textbooks.
 
15. What is a “hybrid” course?
There are four types of course offered at FRCC.  Hybrid courses (also called blended courses) meet in the classroom about half the time and online the other half. Regular courses meet at the campus classrooms.  Online courses are almost completely done online with the exception of tests that may require classroom attendance.  Continuing Education courses are offered through their department and also meet on campus or other locations.

16. What do the different “section” numbers mean?
Section numbers are three-digit numbers that identify what campus the course belongs to.

• Boulder County - Classroom courses 100-199; Hybrid courses 200-249
• Larimer Campus -Classroom courses 600-699;Hybrid courses 700-749
• Westminster -Classroom courses 000-059; Hybrid courses 060-079
• Brighton Center -Classroom courses 400-449; Flex-a-course 450-469;  Hybrid courses 470-489
• FRCC online courses - 500-599
• CCC online courses - C01-C99

17. What is your refund policy?
A Receipt is Required for All Refunds and Exchanges
All textbooks or merchandise to be refunded must be returned in the same condition as purchased.  General merchandise must be returned within one week of purchase.
Textbooks are refundable if returned by census date, which is the last day to drop a class with a full refund.  Check your course schedule for the census date of classes.  The final date for a refund on textbooks for traditional classes this semester is printed on the front of your receipt.
Textbooks purchased after the census date have two business days for a full refund. No refunds on textbooks purchased in the last three weeks of a semester.
 

Non returnable items include, but not limited to:

• Shrink Wrapped Textbooks
• Course Packets/Kits
• Computer Software and Electronics
• Reference Books/Study Aids
• Littman Stethoscopes
• Clearance Items/Bargain Books
• Special Orders/Special Order Deposits

Purchases made by cash or check will be refunded in the form of a check.  Purchases made by credit card will be credited back to the same account number; must have credit card present.