Cengage Unlimited

What is Cengage Unlimited?

Cengage is a subscription service that grants students access to Cengage's Learning Platforms along with thousands of eBooks. The student will gain access to this for a one-time, flat price. If you were assigned multiple Cengage Products for your courses this semester, a Cengage Unlimited subscription may save you money. Cengage offers a 4 month and 12 month subscription. Please read through the following questions below to learn more about this service.

We highly suggest reading through this web page before purchasing a subscription that way you may make a more informed choice with purchasing your course materials.

  • What are the benefits of a Cengage Unlimited subscription?

    Cengage Unlimited provides a cheaper method to get multiple Cengage products at a time. If you are taking multiple Cengage courses or if you will be taking multiple within a calendar year, Cengage Unlimited may work for you. Not only do you get access to Cengage's Learning Platforms and thousands of eBooks, you may also rent 4 physical textbooks through Cengage. If you are interested in renting textbooks from Cengage, please read "Cengage's Rental Policy" below.

  • I'm taking multiple Cengage courses and think this will benefit me. How do I purchase a subscription?

    You may purchase Cengage Unlimited through the bookstore website that you're currently on or through Cengage directly.

    • If you choose to purchase a CU subscription through the bookstore website, please click "Buy Textbooks" and follow the steps below. If a CU code is purchased through the bookstore, then the transaction will fall under the "Bookstore Digital E-Book/Access Code Returns Policy".

      • When these steps are completed, you may use Financial Aid to purchase your subscription.

      1. Select the term.
      2. Select "CU" for the department.
      3. Select "Cengage Unlimited" for the course.
      4. Select "101-STAFF" for the section.
      5. Click "Add Course to List".
      6. Click "Get Your Books".
    • If you choose to purchase a CU subscription through Cengage directly you must go through Cengage's Website.

      You can not use your Financial Aid on Cengage's website, only through the STC bookstore. Once purchased this way, the student will fall under Cengage's return policy.

  • I've purchased my Cengage Unlimited subscription. What do I do now?

    If you purchased Cengage Unlimited from the bookstore, then you received an email once the transaction was completed. Follow the steps within the email to gain access to your subscription.

    Once you've followed the redemption steps and gained access to Cengage Unlimited, it is now up to you (the student) to navigate Cengage Unlimited to find the course materials that you need. If you need further instruction on finding the correct course material, please reach out to your instructors as they should be able to help.

  • I'm interested in renting a physical book. What does this entail?

    Physical rentals are through Cengage only, the bookstore does not provide rentals of any kind.

    Cengage allows the rental of 4 physcial textbooks for each calendar year. You are able to rent these 4 books with both a 4 month and 12 month subscription.

    Please be aware of the following before renting any physical books from Cengage. The facts presented below are taken directly from Cengage's Terms of Use Page

    • If you redeem all 4 rentals while under a 4 month subscription, then renew for another 4 months (or upgrade to a 12 month subscription), you will not be eligible for another 4 free rentals.
    • Rentals are subjected to an initial shipping and handling fee.
    • You must include credit card information when renting a textbook. Cengage (or it's third-party processor) may store your payment information. Cengage may charge you an additional amount if you choose to extend your rental period and/or buy your rented textbook. Cengage may charge any such additional amounts to your credit card in accordance with these terms.
    • At the end of the rental period, you must return your textbook and any supplemental materials prior to the due date.
    • The student is responsible for maintaining the rented textbook in the same condition as when it was received. You are liable for all damage to a rented textbook and Cengage will charge you damage fees as reasonably determined by Cengage, based on the extent of that damage. Cengage will follow the following guidelines in assessing the condition of returned rented textbooks:
      • Handwriting is not allowed.
      • Limited highlighting in your rented textbook is allowed but highlighting that is excessive or hinders the readability of the textbook is not allowed
      • If your rented textbook is returned damaged beyond reasonable wear and tear (for example, cover ripped off, pages torn out, excessive water damage), Cengage may charge you a damage fee equal to the difference between the textbook's then current list price and the total sum of rental fees (including rental extension fees and late fees) already paid by you. "List price" means the list price of the textbook advertised on the Service at the time the damage fee is assessed.
      • Returned textbooks must be packed appropriately (for example, bubble wrapped) to keep them from being damaged during shipping. If your rented textbook is damaged, you will be liable for such damage, and the textbook will remain the property of Cengage Learning.
    • You may extend your rental period for up to 30 days longer with an additional charge.

      • Please see our source for Rental information here.

  • I have a CU subscription, and I can't find the course material I'm looking for?

    Cengage Unlimited is a subscription service for a database of eBooks, courseware and physical textbook rentals. It does not automatically add you in to the eBooks or Mindtap codes that you need for your courses. If you can't find something specific, please contact your instructor and as they should be able to help.

    Through Cengage's Terms of Service it does state the following:

    Cengage makes no guarantee that the materials you may need for the completion of your course are included in the CU Products.

    Cengage courseware, eBooks, study guides, third-party products and other resources included in the CU Products may be removed, added, replaced and updated from time to time by Cengage in its discretion, without notice to you. For example, in some cases old editions of an eBook will not be available or will be removed.

  • I purchased a 4 month subscription, I would like to upgrade to a 12 month subscription?

    You may upgrade your Cengage Unlimited subscription through Cengage which will incur and additional cost.

    The bookstore does not have the ability to upgrade your subscription; this is something that the student must do on their own.

  • Do I need to opt out of my Cengage First Day Access products if I have CU?

    Purchasing Cengage Unlimited through either the bookstore or Cengage will not automatically opt you out of Cengage published First Day Access items.

    If you choose to go through Cengage Unlimited then you must identify which First Day Access items are provided through Cengage.

    Some ways to determine if your First Day Access items are published through Cengage are:

    • If the courseware item says "Mindtap" then it is a Cengage product.
    • Asking your instructor if the textbook is a Cengage product if the material doesn't say Mindtap.
    • Searching Cengage's website for the textbook that you are looking for. You can do this by title, author or ISBN.

    Do not opt out of a First Day Access item that is not a Cengage item thinking it will be on CU. If a First Day Access item is not published through Cengage, then it will not be included through Cengage Unlimited.

    We suggest verifying with your instructors that their course material is a Cengage product before opting out of your First Day Access item(s) and getting Cengage Unlimited. It is up to the student to decide if Cengage Unlimited is the right choice for them.

  • Can I use Financial Aid for my Cengage Unlimited purchase?

    You can only use Financial Aid for Cengage Unlimited through the STC Bookstore. Please see the second question above for how to purchase a subscription through us.

  • My books are provided through a third party (Build Dakota, VA, etc.), can I get Cengage Unlimited?

    Below are the different third parties and their responses to Cengage Unlimited.

    • Build Dakota- No, do not purchase Cengage Unlimited through the bookstore or on your own. Cengage Unlimited is not considered a required course material for any BD eligible programs and will not be covered. You will receive your digital courseware through First Day Access as individual Mindtap codes.
    • VA- You will only be able to get Cengage Unlimited if it's required for your program, Medical Coding is an example of this. In these situations, we'll provide you the CU code and instructions on how to access it. Cengage Unlimited will only be provided if it's considered a required course material.
    • WIOA/DLR- This is something that you may determine with your counselor if Cengage Unlimited is an option for you. If Cengage Unlimited is included on your authorization, then we'll get you the access code. You'll then be given instructions on how to access it.
    • VOC REHAB- This is something that you may determine with your counselor if Cengage Unlimited is an option for you. You must then include Cengage Unlimited somewhere in the description of your authorization. If Cengage Unlimited is included on your authorization, then we'll get you the access code. You'll then be given instructions on how to access it.
    • DSS/ECLC- No, you will not need Cengage Unlimited. Currently, the instructor requires that you get physical books, which are all covered through your scholarship. Your scholarship would not cover Cengage Unlimited as it's not a required course material.
  • I had access to my Cengage Unlimited subscription and now I don't. What do I do now?

    If this happens you may need to contact Cengage Support for more instructions on what to do.

    The STC Bookstore and its employees are not trained or certified to help with Cengage Unlimited specific issues.