Immediate Access makes getting your course materials simple, affordable, and convenient. Through a partnership between Sheridan and your professor, your required digital course materials are automatically available in your course page on SLATE on the first day of class. There’s no need to search for your textbook, purchase it separately, or worry about finding the right access code—it’s ready when you are.

Sheridan offers Immediate Access to help reduce the cost and confusion often associated with purchasing course materials. By negotiating directly with publishers, our vendor partner secures lower prices, helping you save money compared with purchasing digital materials on your own. The program also gives you flexibility: you can opt-in or opt-out at the course level, and if you remain enrolled, the cost is billed directly to your student account and may be covered by financial aid.

Your materials are also designed for flexible access. You can download your digital content to multiple devices and continue reading even when you’re offline—helpful when reliable internet access isn’t always available. Immediate Access puts your course materials within reach from day one, so cost, access, and complicated purchasing don’t have to get in the way of your learning.

Frequently Asaked Questions: 

How do I opt out? Is there a button, a form, an email I send?

There is an opt-out button on the item in your Bookshelf. Visit the course page in Slate and use the Vital Source (Basic) link in the content section to access your bookshelf. For there you can opt-out or opt-in to each item individually. 

What does "digital course materials" mean exactly?

Digital course materials are either an ebook or an ebook with courseware. Courseware is a platform where students can do adaptive quizzes, tests, supplementary material is posted, video, etc.

Is this the same as buying a textbook, or something different?

This is a digital version of the print book unless there is courseware, then you must get it here. As well, it is a reduced price than print or ebook from the retail store as we have negotiated pricing with the puplisher.

Do I need to buy a physical book too, or is this enough for my whole course?

No, this is a digital version of the printed textbook, at a lower cost to you. It is downloadable, so it can also be accessed offline.

How much does this cost?

Because this pilot program is available to a number of Sheridan courses, each student in the pilot will see the costs in their welcome email, and again in the reminder emails should they choose to opt out.

When will I actually be charged? Right now? Later? On a specific date?

Because this program allows you to have access to your required course materials on Day 1, you will be charged as soon as you are enrolled in your course. There is a separate line item – Course Materials Charges – on your Sheridan account summary that will distinguish the charge from tuition and other fees.

Is this a one-time charge or does it repeat every semester automatically? 

This program is specific to the course you are enrolled in. Should you choose courses or electives outside of the program, you will be responsible to buying those course materials separately.

How will I see the charges on my account summary? 

Applicable course material costs will be shown on your Sheridan account summary as “Course Materials Charges.”

What happens to my access to course materials if I opt out? Do I lose them immediately?

No, your account will be credited immediately, and you will lose access after day 10 at the end of week two. 

If I opt out, do I still need to get the textbook another way?

Yes, you will need to buy the textbook separately, and potentially at a higher cost.

What if I log in and don't see anything there?

Confirm with your professor that materials should be available for your course through teh Inclusive Access program. If you have access problems, please contact campusstore@sheridancollege.ca.

What if the publisher website asks for information, I'm not comfortable giving (like a credit card, even just to "verify")?

Please contact campusstore@sheridancollege.ca include a screenshot and the course code this item is related to. 

How come some courses don’t have the materials included?

This is a Sheridan pilot project and only certain courses have been included at this time.