The Course Materials Access Program (CAP) was created to make getting your course materials easier, more affordable, and more predictable. We want you to feel confident in understanding how it works and how to make the best decision for your education. If your question isn’t answered here, just reach out—we’re happy to help and will keep updating this page with the info you need.
How is CAP Complete different from CAP Select?
Comprehensive Access for a Flat Rate
vs
à la carte Course Materials
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How is CAP Complete different from CAP Select?
CAP Complete provides all required course materials - including textbooks and courseware, in either physical or digital formats - for a single flat rate. Materials are automatically provided to you before classes begin.
CAP Select also gives you access to required materials through Canvas, but you choose which items to purchase. Instead of a flat rate, you pay for each required textbook or course material individually, with charges billed to your student account.
To decide which option is right for you, you can compare individual costs for each course material in our Course Lookup Tool.
How much will CAP Complete cost?
$249 flat fee (inc. tax)
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CAP Complete includes all required course materials
Every required textbook, access code, consumable available automatically at the start of the quarter.
Digital materials are available through Canvas, and physical materials may be picked up at the Wildcat Shop.
If you are located at a remote center, we will ship your physical materials to you.
Is CAP required? How can I opt out?
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CAP is not required for any student.
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You are automatically enrolled in CAP Complete each quarter to ensure you have access to all required materials before classes begin. However, you have the flexibility to:
Switch to CAP Select and purchase materials individually, or
Opt out of CAP entirely
You can manage your selection directly in Canvas.
Please note that your CAP enrollment resets each quarter, so be sure to review your settings and choose the option that best fits your needs.
If you choose to opt out, you are responsible for obtaining all required course materials on your own by the start of the term.
CAP FAQs
The Course Materials Access Program (CAP) is a program designed to provide CWU undergraduate students with all required course materials - both digital and physical - by the first day of class.
Each quarter, students are automatically enrolled in CAP Complete, which includes all required textbooks and courseware for a single flat rate billed to your student account.
If you prefer, you may choose CAP Select to purchase materials individually instead of paying the flat rate.
You can view costs for individual materials in the course materials catalog and manage your CAP enrollment directly in Canvas to select the option that works best for you.
CAP is for every degree-seeking undergraduate student enrolled in at least 10 credits at Central Washington University.
CAP Complete costs $249 per quarter. This is a flat fee that includes all required textbooks and courseware, as well as applicable taxes, and is automatically billed to your student account.
If you live outside the 98926 zip code, any required physical materials will be shipped to you at no additional cost.
CAP Select costs the total price of the individual course materials you choose to purchase. While this option may be less expensive if your required materials cost less than CAP Complete, please note:
Sales tax may apply
Shipping charges may apply for physical materials
You can examine individual material costs through the course materials catalog to determine which program is the best value for you.
Your flat rate covers:
Required digital and e-textbooks
Required physical textbooks
Required access codes
Required consumable course supply kits intended to be used for a single class
Applicable taxes
Shipping, if you live outside the 98926 zip code
Your flat rate does NOT cover:
Other non-ISBN course materials
Optional or alternative versions of textbooks
Optional course materials
Digital materials will be available in Canvas by the first day of class.
Physical materials and access codes can be picked up at the Wildcat Shop or shipped to you (shipping fees apply with CAP Select).
No. Participation in CAP is optional. While the program is designed to make accessing course materials easier and often more affordable, you may choose to purchase your materials in another way.
If you do not want to remain in CAP Complete, you have two options:
CAP Select:You can choose to purchase individual course materials through CAP Select. This option provides the same access to digital materials in Canvas and the same physical materials, but you are charged for each item separately on your student account.
Opt out completely: You may opt out of both CAP Complete and CAP Select and purchase all materials independently. If you choose this option, you are responsible for finding and purchasing all required materials on your own, which may cost more or delay access.
You must complete your CAP enrollment by the add/drop deadline each quarter. You will receive an email with instructions and a link to manage your enrollment.
If your class is not listed in our Course Materials Lookup Tool, the best course of action is to check our syllabus and attend class for more information. It may be that your professor is using a course material that they have not adopted through the Wildcat Shop.
You can opt back into CAP before the add/drop deadline if you change your mind. Just return to Canvas and select your chosen CAP option.
No. CAP enrollment is reset each quarter.
You are automatically enrolled in CAP Complete at the start of every Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. If you choose to opt out, your selection applies only to that specific quarter.
If you wish to opt out again in a future term, you will need to do so before the add/drop deadline for that quarter. There is no need to opt back in - automatic enrollment in CAP Complete will resume each term unless you choose another option.
Yes - often in a positive way. Because CAP charges are billed directly to your student account, they can typically be covered by financial aid, just like other eligible educational expenses such as tuition and fees.
This allows many students to use their aid to secure required course materials before the first day of class, helping ensure timely access without additional upfront costs.
You can view your required course materials in Canvas at least 4 weeks before the start of the term, based on information submitted by your instructors. If materials are submitted later, they will be added and updated as they are received.
You can also find a complete list of your required and optional materials in MyCWU.
Your CAP materials will automatically update in Canvas and MyCWU when you make changes to your schedule.
If you have already picked up any physical materials for a class you drop, you must return them to the Wildcat Shop by the end of the add/drop period to have those charges removed from your account.
Your professors choose all required and optional course materials we distribute. They are the subject matter experts, and study the available options and editions to best pick the titles for their classes.
Yes, physical books you receive through CAP are yours to keep. You can utilize our online textbook buyback tool if you are interested in selling them.
Digital materials will remain available for the duration of their access period, which varies by publisher and product.
Physical books included in CAP must be picked up by the second Friday of the quarter.
If materials are not picked up by this deadline, they will be returned to the publisher, and you may no longer have access to those items.
The Wildcat Shop is normally open:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please plan to pick up your materials during these hours to ensure timely access for your courses.
Instructions for accessing ebooks purchased through the Wildcat Shop:
You can access ebooks purchased at the Wildcat Shop any time by looking for the "Account" button at the top-right menu and selecting "My Orders".
Scroll down until you find your ebook
Copy the provided access code
Click on the link near the top of the order information.
Follow the instructions on the subsequent pages.
Please note: ebooks purchased outside the Wildcat Shop will have their own instructions for accessing.
Our team at the Wildcat Shop is happy to help! Reach out to us by emailing textbooks@cwu.edu, calling us at 509-963-1311, or stop by the store and chat with us in person.
Additional Questions?
Our team at the Wildcat Shop is happy to help! Reach out to us by emailing textbooks@cwu.edu, calling us at 509-963-1311, or stop by the store and chat with us in person.
Education should be about learning—not stressing over textbooks and course materials.
