ZTC for Students

The high cost of textbooks continues to be a barrier for students. For that reason, Cañada College offers a number of courses as zero textbook cost, or ZTC for short. We want our students to succeed, and having full access to all of your course materials is crucial to that success

This page describes what ZTC means for students. We have links to a number of resources to help you use these resources in meaningful ways. We’re here to help!

A student with glasses sits at a computer while a teacher with long red hair stands beside her, both smiling. Other students work at computers in the background of a bright classroom with large windows and wooden beams.

Why choose ZTC or LTC?

Courses that carry the ZTC label have required instructional materials that are free to students. That means that the required textbooks, homework platforms and lab manuals are all free for students. Often they include open educational resources (OER), library-based books and articles, streaming videos, or openly accessible websites. Whenever possible, attention is paid to accessibility to ensure that all students can access and use the information in these materials. In many cases, an optional print copy of the OER can be purchased from the Bookstore at a low cost, or can be downloaded to your device.

Courses that carry the LTC label have required instructional materials that total $40 or less at the Cañada Bookstore. In some cases, those may be publisher materials that are offered via Inclusive Access; at other times, they include hard copies of texts that are low-cost. Either way, these courses save you money!

Either way you choose it, ZTC and LTC courses give you many options. 

Find ZTC and LTC Courses on WebSchedule

In WebSchedule’s search function, type ZTC or LTC in the keyword area:

Screenshot of the San Mateo County Community College District's Browse Classes page. The search form is set to Fall 2025 with the keyword "ZTC" and the selected college campus "Cañada College".

 

It’ll also be listed under ‘Attribute’ of a course’s information: 

Screenshot of the class details page for Digital Illustration at Cañada College, highlighting the "Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)" attribute under the course Attributes tab.

Getting help with your digital course materials

Need help interacting with your digital course materials? The Learning Center offers a number of workshops and just-in-time help on a wide range of topics, including how to use Canvas, how to use OER and other digital materials, and more! The Cañada Library also has a number of drop-in workshops that guide students on various topics, including how to use Library e-resources and how to navigate Canvas.

Need a laptop or an internet hotspot? The Cañada Library runs our Technology Loan Program and can get you set up with the tech that you need to succeed in your course.