Books HELP is a program that helps eligible Antelope Valley College students borrow course textbooks, calculators, and access codes until the agreed return date, free of charge.
Returns are being accepted in the HUB and Books HELP during posted business hours.
2025 Intersession Information:
Palmdale Campus: The deadline for submitting applications for Palmdale Pick-up is January 2, 2024.
Palmdale Pick up is Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 9:30-5:00 PM. Students who submit their applications after this date will need to pick up their books from the Lancaster campus once their application is approved.
Lancaster Campus: The Books H.E.L.P. Intersession application is open continuously throughout the semester, but please be aware that Access Codes will not be distributed after the 10th of January for Intersession classes.
Distribution Schedule for Lancaster, SCT 125:
- January 3, 2025 | 8 AM-11 AM
- January 6, 8, 9, 2025 | 9 AM-3 PM
- January 13-15, 2025 | 9 AM-2 PM
2025 Spring Information:
Palmdale Campus: The deadline for submitting applications for Palmdale Pick-up is February 5, 2025. Palmdale Pick up is Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 9:30-5:00 PM. Students who submit their applications after this date will need to pick up their books from the Lancaster campus once their application is approved.
Lancaster Campus: The Books HELP Spring application is open continuously throughout the semester, but please be aware that ACCESS CODES will not be distributed after the 3rd week of the start of the class.
Late Start Classes:
Books will be distributed no earlier than one week prior to the start of the class.
Distribution Schedule for Lancaster, SCT 125:
- To be determined
To be eligible for the program, you must:
- Currently be enrolled as an AVC Student
- Currently registered in the class for which the book is required
- Have a 50% or higher completion rate
- Be in good academic standing with a 2.00 GPA or higher
- Have a current Education Plan and on track for degree/certificate completion
- FAFSA/DREAM ACT/FINANCIAL AID VERIFICATION OF FUNDS FORM/AB540 application completed at the AVC Financial Aid office for the academic year that books are requested
- Demonstrate financial need
- Submit a complete online Books HELP application
- No prior penalties within the Books HELP program
Students are served on a first come, first served basis according to each individual's needs and Books HELP equity ranking criteria. Students MUST apply each semester. You are not required to enter the book titles; we will handle that for you. Please be aware that we obtain the required course materials from the AVC Bookstore. The information you see is identical to what we see.
Please take note of the following: We only loan students required books. If a class is listed as "No materials required" or "Pending course materials," we cannot provide students with materials until the bookstore receives/updates the information. If you receive an Access Code, activate, and drop the class you will be fined. NO EXCEPTIONS. Books with "OER" in the title are limited, as students can access free online versions on OpenStax.org.
NOTE: Books HELP Team has the right to deny the application at any time. Please allow 48 hours for application processing.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you have received Access Codes, Lab Manuals, or Workbooks that cannot be returned the value of the items will be considered as a part of your Financial Aid Packet. APPROVAL emails will be sent prior to the start of the semester to your AVC email depending on your application date.
Application Instructions:
Before beginning the application, you should have the following available to you:
- Student ID Number
- AVC Email Address
- Be Logged into your AVC Email (You will not be able to access the application if not logged into your AVC Email)
- Class Schedule
Please make sure your schedule is finalized before applying for Books HELP, incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Returning Books?
Book returns will be accepted at the end of each class or term, whichever comes first. Additional information about book return locations and dates will be sent to your AVC email.
Textbooks and calculators must be returned on or before the borrower’s agreement date. Students who are late in returning their textbook(s) may be ineligible to participate in the program. Failure to return the book(s) will result in the HOLD remaining on the student’s account (restriction from registration, financial aid, etc.). If a borrowed book is lost, stolen, or damaged, the borrowing student accepts full responsibility for the replacement costs of the book, which must be repaid to the Books HELP Program before the hold is removed from the student account.
Contact Information:
For more information or questions about the Books HELP Program, reach out to us at bookshelp@avc.edu.
Books HELP is funded by Equity.