CourseSmart Launches New Flat Fee Subscription Packs for Students

SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CourseSmart®, a leading Educational Services Platform and the world's largest provider of digital course materials, today announced the launch of CourseSmart Subscription Packs, an innovative one-stop shopping experience where students can buy all of their eTextbooks for a flat fee over a fixed access period. This simple, convenient business model allows students access to all their required course materials at a significant cost savings when compared to the traditional a la carte model.

According to College Board, the average college student spends $1,200 on textbooks and supplies every year and with student debt continuing to climb, students are increasingly searching for new ways to lower costs. CourseSmart Subscription Packs offer students the ability to purchase 6 bookshelf slots for $200 and choose from CourseSmart's catalog of more than 40,000 titles from more than 50 publishers. Their bookshelf slots will then be available for 150 days, the length of the subscription pack access period. During this period, students have unlimited access to their bookshelf online, offline and through CourseSmart's iOS, AOS and mobile web Apps.

"Digital course materials have always provided cost-savings and convenience for students, and we are taking those benefits a step further with CourseSmart Subscription Packs," said Sean Devine, CEO of CourseSmart. "This flat-fee model offers students maximum convenience and affordability, ensuring they have everything they need to be successful during the semester while keeping extra money in their wallets."

Krista Burris, a student at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, is already benefiting from CourseSmart's flat fee model.  Burris is in her final semester at school, taking multiple courses which required six books, all of which she was able to purchase under CourseSmart's $200 Subscription Pack.  "I added all of the books I needed to my bookshelf, and it was extremely easy and a huge savings for me," said Burris.  "I prefer to use eTextbooks for my courses for the pricing and also because the search box is helpful during test time.  I am very happy with the great deals, and I will continue to use CourseSmart when pursuing my Master's degree as well."

CourseSmart's Subscription Pack model helps students reduce costs and there are many product features of eTextbooks that save time as well. For example, students can search by keyword in the book or their CourseSmart bookshelf, as well as highlight and take notes within the eTextbook. All of this data can be compiled into a study guide that links back to original textbook pages, saving time and making studying more efficient. CourseSmart is available on any web-enabled device that students already own through iOS Apps, AOS Apps and mobile web Apps, ensuring students have access to their materials anytime, anywhere.

CourseSmart Subscription Packs are available directly to students for purchase online. For more information, please visit www.coursesmart.com.

About CourseSmart®
CourseSmart is a leading Educational Services Platform and the only provider of digital course materials able to combine curriculum, content and delivery into a single solution. Founded in 2007, the San Mateo, Calif.–based company provides services to four business segments: online direct retail for students; indirect distribution of course materials to students through bookstores; online faculty textbook evaluation services; and institutional solutions for faculty and students that are integrated within campus technology ecosystems. CourseSmart improves the educational experience by offering all users, including those with print-related disabilities, anytime, anywhere access to the course content they need. With more than 90% of the same core titles offered by major print publishers, the company's eTextbooks can be purchased for up to 60% less than the cost of new print textbooks. For more information about CourseSmart, visit the company's Web site at www.coursesmart.com.

Media Contact:
Jessica Nelson
kwittken + company
(646) 747-7141
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SOURCE CourseSmart