Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get my books and supplies?

A: Course materials should be ordered online through the SCC Bookstore website.  We do not sell textbooks on campus. You will find instructions on how to order your books under the textbooks tab. 

Q: What is an Inclusive Access Course?

A: Inclusive Access Courses are courses that the instructor had opted for inclusive access through D2L for textbooks and other course materials. These books will automatically be linked to the course in D2L on the first day of class, and billed directly to your student account after the drop/add period.  Students have the option to opt out within D2L during the drop/add period which is during the first week of the semester. No additional purchase is necessary for these courses. Make sure to keep an eye on your student account!  Inclusive Access fees are added during the second week of the term.

Q: How long do I have to to charge items to my student account?

A: Student Account charging dates are as follows:

• Fall Semester: Opens August 1st- Closes 2nd Friday of the semester

        • Spring Semester: Opens December 12th- Closes 2nd Friday of the semester

        • Summer Session: Opens May 2nd- Closes 1st Friday of the session

 *Dates are subject to change. Watch the South Central College Bookstore website for any date changes. We are unable to allow student account charges before or after the charging window dates. 

Q: What is my SFA or Account Number and where can I find it?
A: Your account number/SFA number is your SOUTH CENTRAL COLLEGE student ID number. Once logged in to e-services, it will be at the top of your screen and at the top of your class schedule. You can also find it on your SCC issued student ID card.  This is the ID number you will need to use when you checkout. *Make sure you are using your SCC Student ID number.  Our site does not accept student ID numbers from other colleges. 

Q: I want to use my financial aid to pay for my books. What do I select at checkout?

A: Select the “Stud Acct/PSEO/Other” option from the dropdown menu. You will need to put in your South Central College student ID number when prompted for your account number. We do require students to be registered for courses in the semester they are ordering, have a current FAFSA on file with South Central College, and any student account holds removed prior to being able to charge materials.  It can take up to five business days for FAFSA information to be available to charge textbooks against. 

Q: I am taking classes at multiple Minnesota State institutions.  What student ID number should I use?

A:You will need to use your South Central College student ID number if you are planning to use financial aid through South Central College to pay for your books.  This number can be found in e-services when you are logged in to South Central College, on the top right corner.  You need to have a current FAFSA on file with South Central College to be eligible to charge books to your student account using your financial aid.  If you do not have a current FAFSA on file with the college, you will need to purchase your items using a credit or debit card.

Q: I am a PSEO student, how do I get my books?

A: The PSEO program pays for all required textbooks, which you will be renting from South Central College. As a PSEO student you will need to create a bookstore account and place an online order through our bookstore website. You will find PSEO ordering instructions under the textbooks tab on this website. When you get the payment screen, you will select the “Stud Acct/PSEO/Other” option from the dropdown menu and enter your SCC student ID number when asked for account number. PSEO students MUST put "PSEO Student" in the order comment box so bookstore staff can verify your PSEO status. You will not be charged for your textbooks, but will still need to complete the ordering process for the order to be placed. You can find step by step instructions to place your order under the textbooks tab.   The PSEO Program does not pay for materials listed as optional or recommended.  If you wish to order these items, you will be required to purchase them yourself.

Q: I am a PSEO student, how do I return my books?

A: PSEO students are required to return all books back in the same condition they were received in at the end of each semester.  Minimal highlighting and marking on pages is acceptable.  The SCC Campus Store will inspect all materials after they have been returned to make sure they are in good condition.  We are not able to accept books back that have water damage, bite marks, ripped, torn or missing covers/pages, or are soiled in any way.  If the Campus Store deems the book unreturnable, the student will have a charge placed on their South Central College student account for the USED price of the item.  This charge must be paid prior to registering for future semesters, or for transcripts to be released.  Items not returned by the Friday of the last week of the term (South Central College finals week) will also result in a charge for the USED price of each item placed on the student's account.

If you drop a course prior to the end of the semester, you will be required to return ALL materials for that course to the Campus Store within five business days.  Items not returned within five days will be charged to the student at the used price.  

Items we do NOT require back at the end of the semester from our PSEO students:

**If you are a PSEO student who ordered one of these items and did not use it, it needs to be returned. 

• Used stand-alone access codes (Ex. Cengage Unlimited, Revel, Hawkes Math Codes, ect.)
• Used Supply kits
• Used Art kits
• Used Lab & lecture packets
• Used Instructor made packets

**PSEO Culinary Arts students will be required to return all books and supplies at the end of the term. 

Q: How quickly will my order ship?

A: You will receive an email with tracking information once your order has shipped. It does take staff up to 48 hours to process and ship online orders. During higher volume times such as the beginning of a semester, processing and shipping times will be longer.  It is important to place your order as early as possible to avoid any delays.  Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. 

Q: I dropped a class and need to take a book off my order. How do I do this?

A: Reach out the Campus Stpre through email at [email protected] right away. Include your first & last name, order number and the name of the book(s) you would like removed from your order. *Please note: if your order has already shipped and you need to return a book, you will be responsible for the return shipping back to us. Textbooks can also be returned to either Campus Store during regular business hours. Follow the instructions on the Important Information sheet that was included in your order for next steps. Please make sure to have your order number and packing list or your cash register receipt with to make any returns.  

Q: I dropped a class and need to return the book I received.  How do I do do this?

A: Items may be returned to either Campus Store during store hours.  Please make sure to have your order number and packing list or cash register receipt with to make any returns.  Students may also ship their items back to the SCC Campus Store.  Any return shipping fees are the responsibility of the student. Items such as access codes or books in plastic must remain unopened and inactivated to be accepted for return. 

Returns should be mailed to:

SCC Campus Store -Returns 
(Put your order number here)
1920 Lee Boulevard
North Mankato, MN 56003

Q: I ordered an access code, will it be emailed to me?

A: At this time we are mailing certain access codes. You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your code has been shipped for a physical code. Digital access codes are activated after logging in to your SCC Bookstore website account found under "My Account" and  clicking "Activate Access Codes and E-Books".  

Q: I ordered a digital book, how do I access it?

A: South Central College uses both RedShelf and VitalSource as our digital book providers. You will receive an email with instructions sent to the email address you used when you placed your South Central College online order.  Questions about digital textbooks should be directed to the company providing the materials. 

RedShelf Online Customer Service: Click Here. 

RedShelf Customer Service Phone: 1-888-886-0801

VitalSource Online Customer Service: Click Here.

VitalSource Customer Service Phone: 1-855-200-4146

Q: I ordered a digital book but no longer need it, can I return it?

A: Due to the nature of digital and e-books, all sales are final after purchase once activated.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Q: How do I return my books at the end of the semester?

A: If you purchased your books through us, you are not required to return them to the South Central College. They are yours to keep.  (PSEO students rent their books and are required to return them at the end of the semester or within 5 business days of dropping/withdrawing from a course.)  We offer an on campus book buyback at the end of each semester where you are welcome to try and sell your books back. Watch the SCC Bookstore website for dates and times. There is no guarantee books will be bought back, and buyback is offered on a first come, first served basis.  Prices are and quantities purchased are subject to change throughout the duration of the book buyback event.  We also offer an online buyback option through this website by clicking on the Online Book Buyback tab.  Online book buyback is always available and is offered through our wholesale book company.  It is not run by South Central College.