LibGuides: Affordable Learning $olutions: Apply for an AL$ Award

Background

In Fall 2024, CSUN was awarded a $15,000 grant from the CSU Chancellor's Office to promote the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) and other affordable course materials. As a result, we are excited to relaunch our popular individual grants for faculty dedicated to reducing textbook costs for their students!

The Matador Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) Grant is a collaborative effort organized by the University Library, Campus Store, and Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES).

Tier	Criteria	Award Amount
Tier 1	Project achieves savings to convert the course to a Low Cost Course Materials course (LCCM: total cost of course materials under $50)	$500
Tier 2	Project achieves savings to convert the course to a Zero Cost Course Materials course (ZCCM)	$1,500

Notes

Selection criteria and amount is based on tiers and total cost savings. Priority is given to instructors of multiple sections, classes with traditionally high DFU rates, and applicants replacing traditional textbooks with OER. Awards are granted to individuals, but we encourage multiple instructors, courses, or department-wide adoptions.
With the support of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, additional funding for the development of cost-free textbooks is available for faculty in the business, economics, nursing, animation, graphic design, and manufacturing systems engineering disciplines. For more information, please visit the Creating Pathways / Abriendo Caminos Project.
Please contact AL$ coordinators Yi Ding yi.ding@csun.edu and Lindsay Brown lindsay.brown@csun.edu to discuss any idea that does not fit within the requirements or levels above. You are also encouraged to reach out for questions about ways to reduce the cost of course materials. .

Important Dates

For Spring 2025 Courses

Application are accepted on a rolling basis but we have set a priority application date to be 12/9/2024.

To apply, each instructor of the course applicable in the department will need to fill out this Google Form.

Deadline to provide AL$ with your new syllabus: 1/24/2025

*Award payments will be processed based on submission of the report and a follow-up survey confirming the designation of your converted course. Report template and deadline will be provided in Spring 2025. Payment timing will vary based on individual faculty workload/FTE and the university’s payroll calendar.

Expectations

Grantees will sign an MOU with the University Library in which the grantee is required to:

Ensure all adopted materials meet copyright requirements and be accessible by all students regardless of ability
Keep the achieved ZCCM & LCCM designation for a minimum of two years
Report textbook selection and ZCCM & LCCM on time
Submit a brief expense and showcase/feedback report (a template will be provided in fall)