In compliance with California Senate Bill 1359, each campus of the California Community Colleges system must clearly identify — by means such as a symbol or logo — the courses that exclusively use digital course materials that are free of charge to students and may include a low-cost print option.
City College of San Francisco meets this requirement by designating courses in the online Class Schedule as either Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) or Low Textbook Cost (LTC).
| Designation | Definition |
|---|
| Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) | Courses with $0 required costs for textbooks and instructional materials. |
| Low Textbook Cost (LTC) | Courses with $50 or less in total required costs for instructional materials. |
What Counts Toward Course Material Costs
Include all required materials, such as:
- Textbooks (print or electronic)
- Access codes or publisher platforms
- Course packets or lab manuals
- Art supplies, subscriptions, safety equipment, and field trip expenses
Do not include standard school supplies (e.g., pencils, notebooks, Scantrons, paper).
Optional materials should not be included in the cost.
Example: If free online materials are available but students may optionally buy a printed version, that cost is not counted.
If the print version is required, that cost must be included.
Sequenced Courses
Do not divide the cost of a textbook across multiple courses in a sequence.
For example, a $120 textbook required for three courses does not qualify for the LTC designation — each student must pay $120 upfront.
How to Request a ZTC/LTC Designation
By default, courses will not display a ZTC or LTC icon in the Class Schedule. Faculty must request the designation from their department chair when submitting the preference form or accepting an instructional assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I am using a rental textbook?
If a rental (physical or digital) is available from the CCSF Bookstore for less than $50, the course qualifies for the LTC designation.
Q: What if my text is available as an eBook through the City College Library?
If your required text is available as a free eBook through the CCSF Library with unlimited simultaneous access, and a print copy is not required, the course qualifies for ZTC.
Q: What if I don’t require any textbooks or outside materials?
If no outside materials are required — including textbooks, access codes, or publisher platforms — your course qualifies for ZTC. Instructor-created content, websites, slides, and library resources are acceptable. You must let the City College Bookstore know that you are not using any textbook or course materials.
Q: What if I’m unsure about the cost of my materials?
Consult the Bookstore Textbook Manager for pricing guidance (see contact information on the right). If costs are uncertain by the scheduling deadline, please wait before requesting a designation.
Q: What if the instructor changes before the term begins?
The prior designation may not bind the new instructor, but they must coordinate with their department chair to update or remove the ZTC/LTC attribute if needed.
Q: What if no instructor is assigned when the schedule is published?
Use the ZTC or LTC designation only if the department has made a collective decision about materials for all sections.
Q: What if my course requires non-textbook materials (e.g., art supplies, museum tickets, lab kits)?
If students are required to purchase any materials, the course cannot be designated as ZTC. If total required costs are $50 or less, it may qualify for LTC.
Q: What if I have copyright or licensing questions?
Contact the OER Team for support on copyright and accessibility compliance (see contact information on the right).
Q: Isn't it better for students if I adopt a book from a local bookstore or send the students to Amazon?
It might seem like sending students to places like Amazon or a local bookstore supports affordability, but it actually creates some real barriers for them. By law, faculty members must notify the campus bookstore of the materials they are adopting. Without that, the City College Library can’t purchase copies for course reserves, and students can’t use their federal financial aid to buy the book. So, even if it seems like a simple workaround, it ultimately makes things more difficult and more expensive for students in the long run.
Adapted from: Mt. San Antonio College, “Zero Cost and Low Cost Designations in the Schedule FAQ.”
