By: Kevin Modeszto and Denny Quinteros | Publish Date: September 21, 2026
Kean University has enacted the Cougar Complete Textbook Program for all students. Starting in Fall 2026, an extra $250 per semester for full-time students and $20 per credit for part-time students would be added to the fees going forward. In exchange, students would receive all required textbooks and other eligible course materials at a reduced cost.
The Office of University Relations announced the decision in an email sent to the student body on June 22. “As part of the program, you will receive all required textbooks and eligible course materials at a significantly reduced cost compared to purchasing materials individually,” the office said.
Fred Fitch, PhD, a professor in the Communication, Media, and Journalism department, was thrilled when the program was announced. Since McGraw Hill Connect, an e-textbook program commonly used in higher education, became available, Fitch has required it for his classes. In the past, the price of textbooks caused students to drop the class.
“Even though I would send out warning emails saying that you cannot pass this class unless you purchase the textbook, we’d have resistors,” Fitch said.
“Every semester there’s a student who has said, ‘I have to drop this class because I can’t afford (the book).’”
While there is still a cost, the Office of University Relations expects a 35 to 50 percent savings on materials. On the first day of the semester, any student who had not opted out would receive all digital textbooks in their Canvas shell, and physical copies would either be ready to pick up at the bookstore or shipped to the students.
According to the program itself, 83% of the 75 students polled felt more prepared for the semester due to enrollment. Additionally, according to a poll conducted by The Tower reporters on Instagram to the student body, 70.7% of Kean students share Fitch’s favorable view of the program.
This means that 29.3% of students who were polled do not find the program beneficial to them. One of them is sophomore Elizabeth Rivas.
“Since the $250 is added to tuition, it’s going to be more expensive,” Rivas said. “People struggle and it’s going to be harder for some students.”
Junior Camila Perez, a Forensic Science student, shared similar concerns.
“I wish we had ways to edit out some book materials because some professors hand out the book for free or you can find them online…I see it as a waste of money and resources,” Perez said.
The program came as the Kean Board of Trustees approved a 7% increase in tuition for all students, effective for the 2026-2027 academic year. The decision was made in response “higher operating costs of the University,” according to the official website.
The idea of reducing textbook costs is not a new one. In past summers, Fitch disclosed, attempts were made to get a similar program off the ground, but they were all rejected. In addition, there was a push for professors to only use textbooks that were available for free online.
“I was never a fan of that for many reasons,” Fitch said. “Mainly because a textbook comes with test banks, teaching ideas, and a lot of things to make our teaching more effective. [Additionally], these learning management systems make you read the book and as a result grades go up.”
Students and professors will witness the effect of the Cougar Complete program in the classroom as it enters its first semester at Kean University.
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