Textbook Rental FAQ
Continue to main contentDo you still have some questions about renting textbooks?
Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions regarding our textbook rental program. If you don't see the answer here, give us a call at (573) 651-2236 or email at rentabook@semo.edu.
The Textbook Rental fee is $35 plus tax per course, not per book. The rental fee charge occurs when the student checks out the textbook. No rental fee will be charged if textbooks are not checked out.
Go to MySEMO Portal, enter Degree Works in the search bar, your Student ID Number is on the top left corner.
The rental fees will be charged to the students account and will be included in the Students University billing statement.
We truly want to work with you on this. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) passed by Congress in 1974, which protects the confidentiality of student’s educational records. This is a good thing for students but can be really frustrating for parents. Because of this act, a student must make the inquiry.
You may only rent textbooks for those courses you are enrolled in. This ensures that the student who is enrolled in this class will have a book available for them to use.
Let us know as soon as possible so we can help! If there is any problem with your rented textbooks, we are here to help.
You should return your 1st 8-week textbooks as soon as that class is over. Pick up your textbooks for 2nd 8-week classes the week before your class starts. This ensures that both 1st and 2nd 8-week classes have enough textbooks.
Highlighting and writing in rented textbooks is permitted within an amount considered “normal” and the textbook remains in satisfactory condition. Excessive highlighting/writing in the textbook will not be accepted. “Use it, don’t abuse it.”
If lost, check to see if the book has been returned by checking Textbook Rental Detail on the Portal or contact Textbook Rental. If the textbook has not been returned, you will be billed for the lost textbook, and you can rent another textbook. If during the semester the lost textbook is returned to Textbook Rental, the charges will be dropped and credited to your account. If your book is damaged, and we cannot use it again, you’ll be charged the replacement price of the book. If it is not rentable, it is not returnable.
Rented textbooks must be returned in satisfactory condition and if we cannot use the book again, you will be charged the replacement price of the book.
You are not required to rent your textbooks from us, but it is usually the cheapest route. You can look up the required course book information using the Textbook Rental Book Lookup, it will display the Title, ISBN and how much you will save by renting it through Textbook Rental.
Southeast Bookstore carries all extra supplies, located on the 1st floor of the University Center.
Textbook Rental follows the same refund schedule as incidental fees. Refunds will be based on the day the book is returned. The return schedule can be found on the Financial Aid Calendar.
It will be refunded based on the day you return the textbook. Be certain the textbook(s) checked out are the ones actually needed and the instructor requires it. If unsure, we will be happy to help.
You may purchase the textbook you are renting any time during the semester thru the last day to return textbooks and your rental will be credited to your account.
To see the price and to purchase a book you are currently renting go to MySEMO Portal, enter Textbook Rental Detail in the search bar and follow the prompts.
All sales are final!
Each of our rental books has a unique identifying number on the front label; this book ID number is attached to the student who checks out that book. This is helpful in knowing who the book is rented to. If the student who has your book returns it on time, everything will be okay, but if the student who has your textbook doesn’t return it on time, you will be charged the replacement cost of the book even if you returned theirs. You can see your book numbers on the MySEMO Portal , enter Textbook Rental Detail in the search bar and follow prompts.
To avoid additional charges, all Rented Textbooks should be shipped with a postmark of the Monday after finals or earlier to: Textbook Rental, 610 Washington Avenue, North Dock, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Returning textbooks on time is a must. If you miss the due date, your student account will be charged the replacement price of the textbook, along with the original rental fee. The book will be yours to keep. You do have the option to try to sell it back for cash at the bookstore. We understand that emergencies happen; if you were unable to return your rented textbooks due to reasons beyond your control, you can try to appeal the charges.
One of two things could be happening:
- The books have not reached us yet, but never fear, we check in books by the postmark date on the package. So if they are postmarked on or before the Monday deadline, those charges will be reversed. FYI -- Media mail can take up to 30+ days to be delivered.
- The books have gotten lost in transit. If this is the case, contact the shipper as soon as possible. Textbook Rental is not responsible for lost textbooks.
With a Southeast Missouri State University student ID card it will make checking in/out your books a lot faster. We encourage students to get a Southeast Missouri State University ID card (University Center, third floor, information desk).
Having an ID has a lot of benefits such as discounted movie tickets, free admission to all regular season home Redhawks sporting events, including basketball and football games, as well as receiving discounts at several local retailers.
Contact Us
Phone
Email
Location
Office
Kent Library 123
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 2020
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701