Follett Higher Education Group Review

Navigating the world of higher education can be complex, especially when it comes to securing the necessary resources. From textbooks to campus merchandise, students and institutions alike seek reliable, efficient, and affordable solutions. Have you ever wondered how your campus bookstore operates, or where all those essential course materials come from? This comprehensive Follett Higher Education Group review will shed light on one of North America's largest players in the collegiate retail and academic solutions space, offering insights into their services, benefits, and what to consider for a seamless academic journey.

What is Follett Higher Education Group?

At its core, Follett Higher Education Group is a leading educational service provider and omnichannel retailer dedicated to supporting students, faculty, and staff across North America. Founded in 1873, Follett has a long history in the education sector, evolving from a bookselling company into a comprehensive solutions provider for colleges and universities. They manage over 1,000 physical and e-commerce collegiate retail stores, serving more than 6 million students. In 2022, Follett Higher Education, along with its corporate entity, was acquired by an investment group, signaling a continued commitment to modernizing and enhancing the higher education experience.

Their mission is to inspire, enable, and celebrate the higher education journey by providing essential course materials, learning tools, and retail services.

Comprehensive Services Offered by Follett

Follett Higher Education Group offers a wide array of services designed to streamline the academic experience for both students and institutions.

Course Materials & Access Programs

One of Follett's primary functions is providing course materials in various formats to meet diverse student needs and budgets. This includes:

• New, Used, and Rental Textbooks: Students can choose from buying new or used books, or opting for more affordable rental options, which can be extended or purchased later if desired.
• Digital Textbooks (eBooks): Follett offers a vast selection of digital content, including eBooks, interactive titles, and audiobooks, often with built-in tools like highlighting, note-taking, and searching.
• Open Educational Resources (OER): Follett supports the integration of OER, providing instructors with flexibility in course material adoption.

A significant offering is Follett ACCESS (formerly includED), an innovative program that delivers all required print and digital course materials to enrolled students as part of their tuition or course charges on the first day of class. This initiative aims to reduce costs, minimize stress, and ensure students are prepared from day one, having expanded to over 400 campuses since 2022.

Campus Retail Management

Beyond textbooks, Follett manages campus bookstores, transforming them into vibrant retail hubs. These stores offer a wide range of products and services:

• Academic Supplies: Everything from notebooks to calculators.
• Branded Merchandise: Apparel, gifts, and fan gear that foster campus pride.
• Technology Essentials: Devices and accessories crucial for modern learning.
• Convenience Items: Food, beverages, and dorm supplies.

Follett collaborates with institutions to create customized retail solutions that reflect the campus brand and serve the community's unique needs. They even partner with external brands, like bringing Bath & Body Works products to over 150 campus bookstores.

Technology Solutions for Enhanced Learning

Follett leverages technology to simplify course material management and access:

• Follett Discover: This suite of tools allows instructors to easily research, discover, and adopt course materials. For students, Follett Discover Access provides a personalized shopping page linked to their course schedules, making it easy to view and procure materials.
• Kortext: Launching in Fall 2025, Kortext is a new e-book experience designed for modern learning, offering smart study tools, built-in collaboration features, and industry-leading accessibility.

Financial Aid Integration

Understanding the financial realities of higher education, Follett offers seamless integration for students to use their financial aid funds directly in-store or online for course materials and other essentials. They also provide communication programs to keep students informed about their financial aid status and how to utilize their funds.

The Advantages of Partnering with Follett

What makes Follett Higher Education Group a preferred partner for many institutions and students?

• Convenience and Centralization: Follett acts as a one-stop shop for academic and retail needs, offering a centralized platform for course materials, supplies, and merchandise. This simplifies the process for students and faculty alike.
• Affordability Options: With choices like textbook rentals, used books, and digital formats, along with their Access programs, Follett strives to provide more affordable options for course materials.
• Campus Integration: Their systems, like Follett Discover, integrate seamlessly with university learning management systems (LMS) and student information systems (SIS), making adoption and procurement processes smoother.
• Support for Student Success: Follett's initiatives are geared towards ensuring students have timely access to the materials they need, which is crucial for academic preparedness and success. They also support the Follett Educational Foundation, which provides scholarships to students.
• Tailored Retail Experiences: Follett works closely with campuses to create unique bookstore experiences that reflect the institution's brand and cater to its community.

Considerations and Potential Challenges

While Follett offers significant advantages, it's also important to consider potential challenges or areas that might require attention. As with any large service provider, individual experiences can vary. Some anecdotal employee reviews have touched on aspects like pay equity or growth opportunities, though many also highlight positive experiences and a supportive work environment.

For students, while Follett aims for affordability, it's always wise to compare prices across different platforms to ensure you're getting the best deal for your specific course materials. Additionally, understanding the terms of textbook rentals, such as return dates and conditions, is crucial to avoid extra fees.

Who Benefits Most from Follett's Services?

Follett's comprehensive approach makes them beneficial for several groups:

• Students: Especially those who value convenience, diverse format options for course materials, and the ability to use financial aid seamlessly. Students on campuses utilizing Follett's Access programs particularly benefit from day-one access to all required materials.
• Academic Leaders and Faculty: Instructors benefit from tools like Follett Discover, which simplifies the course material adoption process and ensures students have access to the correct resources.
• University Administrations: Institutions looking for a single, integrated partner to manage their campus retail, streamline course material delivery, and enhance the overall student experience often find Follett a strong fit.

Making the Most of Your Follett Experience

To optimize your interaction with Follett, consider these actionable steps:

• Explore All Options: Don't just default to new books. Check for rental, used, and digital versions through your campus bookstore's website or Follett Discover.
• Understand Rental Policies: If renting, be aware of the return deadlines and the condition requirements to avoid late or damage fees.
• Utilize Financial Aid: Familiarize yourself with how your financial aid integrates with Follett's system to purchase materials efficiently.
• Engage with Campus Resources: Your campus bookstore staff can often provide valuable guidance on finding materials and navigating Follett's services.

Conclusion

The Follett Higher Education Group review reveals a long-standing and evolving entity that plays a significant role in the academic landscape. By providing a wide range of services from diverse course material options and integrated technology solutions to comprehensive campus retail management and financial aid support, Follett aims to simplify and enrich the higher education journey for millions. While like any large organization, individual experiences may vary, their commitment to affordability, accessibility, and student success remains a cornerstone of their operations.

What has been your experience with Follett Higher Education Group? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Follett the only option for purchasing textbooks at my college?

A: While many colleges partner with Follett to manage their official campus bookstores and provide course materials, students often have other options, such as independent online retailers or direct from publishers. However, Follett's integration with campus systems and programs like Follett ACCESS can offer unique convenience and affordability benefits that other sources might not.

Q2: How does Follett's textbook rental program work?

A: Follett allows students to rent many required textbooks for a semester at a reduced cost compared to purchasing. At the end of the term, rented books must be returned by a specified date and in complete, salable condition. Options to extend the rental or purchase the book are typically available.

Q3: Does Follett offer digital textbooks?

A: Yes, Follett provides a wide selection of digital textbooks (eBooks) and other digital learning content. They are also launching Kortext in Fall 2025, a new e-book platform with enhanced study and collaboration tools.

Q4: Can I use my financial aid to buy books from Follett?

A: Yes, Follett offers seamless integration for students to use various forms of financial aid, including scholarships and veteran's affairs benefits, to purchase course materials and other items both in their physical campus stores and online.