How has enrolling in a ZTC or LTC course impacted you? by Sarah Harmon

2025-11-13 01:09:03 UTC

It has helped me continue my education, and not have to stress about the finances while I work on my career path.

2025-11-13 23:38:42 UTC

ZTC & LTC courses has helped me not worry about being behind on class readings and assignments. It is a huge difference knowing that I can access the materials with my phone or other devices.

2025-11-14 02:31:56 UTC

2025-11-14 05:00:14 UTC

As an International student, ZTC or LTC course helps me save money and it's really useful.

2025-11-14 07:55:43 UTC

I don’t have to worry about money and study without financial worries

2025-11-14 18:17:26 UTC

It's been super helpful and money saving.

2025-11-14 18:19:33 UTC

I took a digital audio course at San Mateo College and it was zero textbook cost. I downloaded what I needed and felt at ease with taking more courses without going over my budget. Thank you for issuing this survey.

Textbooks are static resources whereas online are dynamic. Students can exceed the course material using online.

2025-11-14 22:25:11 UTC

Gave me peace of mind because I didn't have to worry about paying for materials. Especially since I am in the Middle College program and do not have a job, I loved being able to take ZTC or LTC courses.

2025-11-14 22:28:10 UTC

I like to have access to the books in any platform. Thank you.

2025-11-14 22:31:27 UTC

It help us a lot especially if you are an international student

2025-11-15 00:32:41 UTC

By providing free resources for students, schools allow students to focus on academic success without financial burdens. Many people who attend community college are working towards their degrees for careers that pay competitively. Removing academic financial costs helps tremendously.

2025-11-15 21:15:55 UTC

Thank you

2025-11-15 22:37:35 UTC

Gracias (thanks)

2025-11-16 02:10:09 UTC

I think it's important that instructors know these course materials help more than they realize, especially in today’s ys economy. Some teachers might choose to stick to expensive materials for whatever reason but most students need to work full-time and be a full time student and these low cost materials are such a big relief for us working towards our educational goals.

2025-11-16 18:58:46 UTC

is my first course and really it'll good more explain about how manege to canvas and more conversation with consuler because until now i have a lot cuestion. Bus sincerely Cañada is excellent place to learn

2025-11-17 01:23:45 UTC

I like free online books, but I prefer real books.

2025-11-17 07:17:47 UTC

Free is always great. Being able to navigate these resources easily would be helpful or seeing flyers, talking to counselors, programs and/or professors about these resources would be great because every persons situation is different. Therefore, knowing students' needs, strengths and challenges are important. Never hurts to ask a student / individual if they need help

2025-11-17 17:37:28 UTC

I agree with free being loved. Being able to navigate through ZTC is a blessing for many students like myself. We don’t know the financial hardships for others, and being able to have this opportunity to take a course with ZTC is like getting closer to your degree without hardship.

2025-11-17 17:45:26 UTC

This is my first ZTC, I find it really useful to have a free online textbook instead of having to go on a wild goose chase to find what I need in multiple sites that need payment to access resources.

2025-11-17 23:19:30 UTC

Books with lots of freely availiable worked examples are great

2025-11-18 03:14:54 UTC

I feel like the world is becoming less respectful of people's time and money, and big textbook publishers are a great example of this. I've used textbooks where the digital version cost $50+ dollars. It costs virtually nothing to host a website/create a PDF, and in the case of elementary statistics (the course in question), the subject matter had not changed in literally hundreds of years. I also hate dealing with logins, licenses, access codes, etc.. Free textbooks, in addition to giving me more money to survive in an increasingly expensive world, remind me that there are educators out there who genuinely just want to make knowledge more accessible.

2025-11-18 03:44:19 UTC

It has benefited me.

2025-11-18 04:27:36 UTC

Free textbooks and materials are so underrated. Specially when it is free to use, people don't forget it's value. But for some student who can't afford expensive materials, ZTC, LTC courses are opportunity.

2025-11-18 05:48:49 UTC

The free materials work great and are easy to access on Canvas. Please keep using ZTC/OER so we don’t have to pay for expensive textbooks.

2025-11-18 07:27:42 UTC

Free course materials is a genuine game-changer. I came back to school worried about the cost and what that would look like for me, but with LTZ/ZTC classes, I've been able to accomplish my work comfortably and with the reassurance that I need only worry about what effort I should be putting into my course work.

2025-11-18 08:03:59 UTC

2025-11-18 19:04:03 UTC

It’s so necessary thank you!!!

2025-11-18 19:11:33 UTC

ZTC resources are nice because they often have more worked examples available online, and those help a lot.

2025-11-18 20:49:33 UTC

Web Degree is not recognizing classes you have taken at Skyline or Canada. Counselors don't know how to fix this.

2025-11-18 22:59:46 UTC

as a first gen-low income student, i genuinely LOVE these free resources. not everyone has the ability to pay for course material out of pocket for multiple classes.

2025-11-18 23:50:56 UTC

Enrolling in a ZTC/LTC course has made a big positive impact on my college experience. It has reduced my financial stress by removing the cost of expensive textbooks, and the easily accessible materials help me stay more organized and focused on learning. Having everything available from day one has truly made the class more manageable and supportive of my success.

2025-11-19 01:13:17 UTC

While I personally am willing and mostly able to pay for any of my course materials in the past, every student should be able to access education regardless of their financial status. Being poor shouldn't mean you don't get to learn. Even though I have always paid off my course material fees, it has become a burden for me, especially as a student who takes many courses that has course materials like lab supplies/equipment and handbooks. These are often the most expensive in my experiences at SMCCD and other higher education instutitions. I would love to be able to complete my certificate without having to shell out $100+ per term.

2025-11-19 01:36:23 UTC

Not everyone has the financial resources to pay for textbooks and other course-related fees. I really appreciate professors making these available. I also appreciate other resources such as narrated lectures and course content being read aloud to me.

2025-11-19 06:23:18 UTC

ZCT and LCT help make education more accessible. People can better themselves and/or enrich their lives without the stress of budgeting for expensive textbooks. It lets us just enjoy learning and even trying new things.

2025-11-19 07:33:14 UTC

Besides being able to better afford course materials, courses with zero- or low-cost materials tend to be well-designed with relevant sources from various perspectives.

2025-11-19 17:14:16 UTC

Forces us to interct with tech a lttle more and learn how to navigate different forms of learning,

2025-11-19 21:31:52 UTC

LTC and ZTC courses allow me to study with accessible resources without depleting my bank account. The responses here make a very important point when they say that education should be accessible for all. Thank you for offering these classes to us, and I sincerely hope they will continue to be available in the coming semesters.

2025-11-20 06:50:02 UTC

The ZTC or LTC can help someone who is in need.

2025-11-21 05:35:52 UTC

It shows that Skyline College is listening to students' concerns and taking tangible steps, in real time, to help struggling students. It's great P.R. to show everyone that they value community needs.

2025-11-21 18:01:11 UTC

These types of courses make learning and success more accessible to those struggling with finances or personal stress.

2025-11-22 07:17:00 UTC

its impacted me to let other students know about these courses. its a good way to learn while also not worrying about spending so much.

2025-11-23 06:51:05 UTC

Enrolling in a ZTC/LTC course has had a really positive impact on my academic experience. Not having to worry about the cost of textbooks helped reduce financial stress and allowed me to focus completely on learning. I was able to access all the materials from the very beginning of the semester, which made it easier to stay on top of readings and assignments without delays.

asmaaaljafha — 2025-11-23 06:53:04 UTC

2025-11-23 23:44:17 UTC

I encourage this type of learning because of less planetary waste.

2025-11-24 11:22:22 UTC

Many other students have already highlighted the value of Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), but the evolution of affordability in community college has truly changed my life. When I was 19—about 10 years ago—I wanted to attend UC Santa Cruz after being accepted, but I only attended for a quarter after finishing my associate's degree at CSM. Still, I couldn’t afford the tuition or textbooks. Even with my family's support, our finances were strained.

Now, as a father balancing financial responsibilities, family commitments, and the pressures of everyday life, affordability matters more than ever. I later discovered my passion for Psychology, and honestly, I would not be back in school today if it weren’t for the reduced course and textbook costs. Programs like ZTC make education possible for people like me, and there should be even more initiatives like this across the state.

The Bay Area is incredibly expensive, and having this small light of hope allows me to stay focused on my education—even on long days when I’m burning the midnight oil after putting my child to bed. Being able to pursue my degree without having to choose between school and providing for my family is something I don’t take for granted.

I plan to continue taking advantage of opportunities like this so I can keep moving forward in my education and build a better future for my family.

2025-11-25 01:25:46 UTC

These course make learning more accessible, especially for students balancing other work/extracurriculars and the challenging economic situation we are in. Education should be more affordable and accessible.

2025-11-25 04:21:14 UTC

Enrolling in a ZTC course has made success in the class more obtainable!

2025-11-25 05:58:35 UTC

Love ZTC

2025-11-25 18:17:26 UTC

Love it!

2025-11-28 07:52:22 UTC

Having ZTC or LTC is easily accessible.

2025-11-29 02:09:19 UTC

It makes my learning experience easier, less stressful, and more affordable.

2025-11-29 13:09:04 UTC

Enrolling in ZTC/LTC courses has reduced my financial stress and made it easier to stay prepared for class. Having free, accessible materials has helped me focus more on learning and less on the cost of textbooks.

2025-11-30 09:53:54 UTC

I’ve been able to have so many opportunities with classes that were ZTC or LTC courses!!

2025-12-01 00:38:34 UTC

Enrolling in a ZTC/LTC course has helped me a lot because I didn't have to worry about paying for expensive textbooks. It made the class feel more accessible and less stressful, and I could focus more on learning instead of trying to afford materials.

2025-12-01 01:43:04 UTC

I don’t have to worry about money and get benefits from these types of resources.

2025-12-01 08:17:46 UTC

I love how it is cost efficient

2026-03-03 19:40:06 UTC

I am happy not to buy or rent textbooks because I am saving enough money to assist my parents with their bills.

2026-03-05 19:08:47 UTC

I like that it's not only cost efficient, but makes it easier to find and access textbooks