UNIVERSITY CO-OP IMPACT REPORT 2025–2026
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University Co-op
TABLE OF CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO & BOARD CHAIR ABOUT THE CO-OP
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NOT-FOR-PROFIT & INDEPENDENT TEAM MEMBERS
PROGRAMS REDUCING THE COST OF COURSE MATERIALS
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CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIP UT FOR ME TEXTBOOK CREDIT DELL SCHOLARS TEXTBOOK CREDIT LONGHORN TEXTBOOK ACCESS
THE IMPACT
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE NUMBERS DONATION TRACKER TOTAL COURSE MATERIAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS HOW FACULTY CAN HELP IMPACT BY COLLEGE
FUTURE PROJECTIONS
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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CHERYL PHIFER
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO & BO This past year reminded us why we do this work. Sales were strong, donations grew, and Longhorn fans showed up in ways big and small, whether that meant a purchase in store, a donation, or simply spreading the word. All of it added up to something real: more course material scholarships for more Longhorn students. This report is a look at what that support made possible this year, and a preview of where we’re headed next. For the 2025–2026 academic year, 17,556 students received free course materials through the Co-op. Combined with the Dell UT for Me - Powered by Dell Scholars Textbook Credit, 39.6% of UT Austin students now have some form of financial assistance for their course materials. We don’t take that number for granted. It exists because of you, the alumni, fans, and community members who gave over $1,145,412 since 2022, in addition to choosing to shop for Longhorn merchandise at the Co-op. Every penny of profit and donations goes directly to course material scholarships for Longhorn students, reducing the financial burden of college. It also exists because of our faculty and staff, who make the choice every semester to select affordable course materials and submit their adoptions on time. Last year, 45,728 students has access to their Longhorn Textbook Access materials before the first day of class. Thank you for making that choice for your students.
President & CEO since 2016
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University Co-op
OARD CHAIR Looking ahead, we’re expanding scholarships again. Over 11,000 students will receive Co-op Course Material Scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year, and this year, we want fans to hear directly from the students behind those numbers. We’ve developed a series of student impact videos to bring the scholarship story to life. We’re also stepping outside our Guadalupe location to meet Longhorn fans where they are: the day after Thanksgiving, we’re hosting our first watch party in Cedar Park for the Texas vs. Texas A&M game, celebrating the third installment of the renewed rivalry with festivities and shopping, all to support course material scholarship expansion. We hope to see fans in store this season cheering on Texas athletes, at our first watch party in Cedar Park, and, as always, helping expand course material scholarships for Longhorn students. Thanks, and hook ‘em!
GARRETT SONNIER
As always, we are thankful for our team members and board who spend all year finding smarter, more creative ways to stretch every dollar further to generate more scholarships. The innovation and passion our team shows up with every day is why we’re able to give and expand course material scholarships every year.
Board Chair Person since 2021
Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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ABOUT THE CO-OP
CO-OP AT-A-GLANCE
213 16 95
Employees
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University Co-op
Alumni as of Fall ‘25
Students
NOT-FOR-PROFIT & INDEPENDENT Founded in 1896, The Co-op’s original mission was to address the rising cost of course materials for Longhorn students.
This academic year, over 11,000 students will receive Co-op Course Material Scholarships with many more to come!
Staying true to our original mission and vision set by the Co-op Founder & President and future University of Texas President, Dr. William J. Battle, today we envision a world in which the cost of course materials never prevents a single student from attending or graduating from The University of Texas at Austin.
Our retail store is the economic engine for our not-for-profit mission and every penny of profit goes directly to course material scholarships for Longhorns. All of this is possible because of your support, thank you!
While many college bookstores are operated by for-profit corporations, the University Co-op is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and operated by a board of directors comprised of students, faculty, and community members at The University of Texas at Austin.
Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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University Co-op
PROGRAMS REDUCING THE COST OF COURSE MATERIALS Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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PROGRAMS REDUCING THE COST CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIP The University Co-op Course Material Scholarship gives students $250 each academic year towards students’ course materials. This includes books, art and school supplies, scrubs, and more! Last academic year 8,090 students received a Co-op Course Material Scholarship!
UT FOR ME TEXTBOOK CREDIT UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars is a program that ensures all Longhorns have access to the tools and resources needed for a successful college career. Through this program, students receive a $250 credit towards their course materials. As a service to the Longhorn community, we facilitate this program and students can use their credit in store and online at the Co-op. Last academic year 9,466 students received a UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars textbook credit.
DELL SCHOLARS TEXTBOOK CREDIT The Dell Scholars program gives students the tools and resources they need to graduate from college and build successful careers. Through this program, students receive a $250 credit towards their course materials. As a service to the Longhorn community, we facilitate this program and students can use their credit in store and online at the Co-op.
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T OF COURSE MATERIALS LONGHORN TEXTBOOK ACCESS Longhorn Textbook Access (LTA) is an initiative that has reduced the cost of digital textbooks and other digital course materials for students. Faculty are able to choose learning materials as they have done in the past, without constraint, to best support their course learning objectives. LTA ensures the best possible price for digital versions of commercially-published course materials selected by faculty members while also encouraging the use of Open Educational Resource (OER) course materials that are free or low cost for students. Critically, the program also promotes student success by making all materials available on the first day of class without upfront payment or commitment.
Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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University Co-op
THE IMPACT Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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HOW HAS THE SCHOLARSHIP IM
NKÉ OBI CLASS OF 2026
BRENNAN STEIN CLASS OF 2026
“It’s hard being a student and working at the same time. That was really hard navigating in college. Having the Co-op Course Material Scholarship has really helped take that weight off of my back and set me up for the future.
“When I first came to UT, at times it was hard to believe that I belonged here. But within the Longhorn Band, we’re all here for a common goal of making great music and performing, which made the Longhorn Band my home.
Being at UT, being in the Longhorn Band, and getting to experience the things that I have experienced are baffling. I know I’m going to take everything I’ve learned here with me.”
Passion doesn’t mean it comes easy. It’s absolutely a grind every day. It is hard to work those part-time jobs and to get that extra money on the side. As a recipient of the Co-op Course Material Scholarship, it really does help so much. I’m feeling so set up for my future.”
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MPACTED YOU? TO HEAR THE FULL STORY OF HOW THE CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIP HAS IMPACTED THESE STUDENTS
MELINDA KISS CLASS OF 2026 “At UT, I’ve found my voice. Helping people is what I truly love to do. Ever since I came here, I havebeen working non-stop. I have two internships an am also a TA. I have been working at the Co-op for almost 2 years now, and I love ringing the cowbell. It’s showing support for the community but also showcasing that I’m helping future students. Receiving the Co-op Course Material Scholarship has helped relieve financial stress and burden. I can actually pursue what I want. I have found something that I love and found the person I want to be.”
SCAN THE QR CODE
Impact Report 2024 2025 – 2026 2025
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COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSH 2025–2026 IMPACT This academic year, 8,090 Longhorn students received a scholarship for textbooks and school supplies. That’s $1,507,727 committed to student success!
Every penny of profit and donation goes directly to Course Material Scholarships; helping improve the lives of Longhorn students.
The funding of these scholarships was made possible by the alumni and fans of Longhorn Nation that choose to shop with the University Co-op.
2025–2026 STUDENTS IMPACTED IN 2025–2026, ~18% OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVED A CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIP
$1,507,727 8,090 Students
Compared to
2024–2025 16
University Co-op
$1,149,890 Scholarships Awarded
7,561 Students
HIPS BY THE NUMBERS Support Longhorn students! Make a donation in-store or online when you shop with us. Your donation helps make textbooks and school supplies more accessible to Longhorn students.
DONATION TRACKER THIS YEAR OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL WAS $350,000
$131.3K
$198.8K
$254K
$317K
$376K
2021–2022
2022–2023
2023–2024
2024–2025
2025–2026
Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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BETWEEN UT FOR ME AND CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2025–2026,
$3,533,596 IN SAVINGS ON COURSE MATERIALS
17,556 ~40%
STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR MATERIALS
OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVED FINANCIAL AID
LTA IN 2025–2026
44,494
Unique Students
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University Co-op
~$51
Saving per Student
$2,293,420 Annual Savings Compared to Digital
HOW FACULTY CAN HELP PROFESSORS, YOUR ADOPTIONS HELP STUDENTS! By sharing this information with us as early as possible, we are able to secure your students’ course materials at the lowest cost possible. Additionally, when you share this information early, we are able to carry all materials for students to use their UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars textbook credit, Dell Scholars textbook credit, or Co-op Course Material Scholarship.
LONGHORN TEXTBOOK ACCESS DEADLINES 2026–2027 Adopting LTA materials is as easy as any other textbook adoption. Let our textbook team know you’re interested in LTA adoption and we’ll take it from there!
Priority adoption date for Spring 2027 by
OCT. 31, 2026
Learn more about adopting materials with the Co-op here: www.universitycoop.com/pages/adoptions
Priority adoption date for Fall 2027 by
JUNE 1, 2027
Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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IMPACT BY COLLEGE Data as of August 2026
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
MCCOMBS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
LTA usage for college
Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
LTA usage for college
9%10%
17% 36% 18%
61%
MOODY COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
18% 19%
LTA usage for college
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
LTA usage for college
14% 19%
14% 17% 20% 20%
39% 56%
COCKRELL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
LTA usage for college
16%
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
23% 18%
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42%
46% 60%
22% 24%
LTA usage for college
24% 54%
21%
Co-op Course Material Scholarship
UT for Me Textbook Credit
JACKSON SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
LTA usage for college
14% 27% 54%
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS LTA usage for college
54%
SCHOOL OF NURSING
29% 32%
LTA usage for college
15% 15% 15%
43%
Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
LTA usage for college
12% 16%
18% 18%
15% 22%
Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES
19% 24%
Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
SCHOOL OF INFORMATION 14% 13%
22% 21%
Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
LTA Usage
23% 23%
52% 46%
STEVE HICKS SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
LTA usage for college
16%
Students receiving financial assistance on their course materials
18% 24% 24%
51%
LTA usage for college
22% 51% 58%
39% 39%
Impact Report 2025 – 2026
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GABE APARICIO, INTERN CLASS OF 2024 22 University Co-op
FUTURE PROJECTIONS Impact Report 2025 – 2026 23
FUTURE PROJECTIONS Looking forward to this academic year, we are excited to continue to support course material financial assistance for Longhorns! This year, we’re proud to support all programs that give students financial assistance on their course materials, including UT for Me - Powered by Dell Scholars, the new Dell Scholars program, and our own Co-op Course Material Scholarship.
assistance helps students stay focused on their studies instead of their budgets. We look forward to continuing to expand scholarship access in the years to come, so that even more students can start their academic year with one less financial burden to carry.
Course materials are often one of the biggest hidden costs of a college education, and every dollar of
UT Austin Undergraduate Student Body
COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
2026–2027
2025–2026 2024–2025
~16% ~18% ~22% of students
of students
of students
Percentage of Students Receiving a Co-op Course Material Scholarship
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EVERY STUDENT WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID RECEIVES EITHER A CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL SCHOLARSHIP, A UT FOR ME TEXTBOOK CREDIT, OR A DELL SCHOLARS TEXTBOOK CREDIT. 2026–2027 COMMITMENT This academic year we’re projecting ~40% of students will receive a Co-op Course Material Scholarship, UT for Me - Powered by Dell Scholars textbook credit, or a Dell Scholars textbook credit. Because of the tremendous year that we’ve had, we were able to expand support to cover all course materials for the entire
Longhorn band, and the entire Pom and Cheer squad, and our Co-op student employees. We look forward to continuing to expand course material scholarships for Longhorn students over the coming years!
$1,550,000 $250,000 CO-OP COURSE MATERIAL COMMITMENT
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Impact Report 2025 – 2026 25
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you, Longhorn Nation, for choosing to shop at the Co-op. Unlike other other Longhorn retailers, we are the only one that gives every penny of our retail store profit directly to Longhorn students through course material scholarships. When you shop with us, you’re not just buying Longhorn gear – you’re investing in the success of UT students and helping ensure their futures are brighter. We are so grateful to be part of the Longhorn community who supports our mission and are endlessly inspired by the students at The University of Texas at Austin.
THESE VENDORS HAVE COMMITTED NEARLY $40,000 IN FY27! Thank you to our awesome vendors for their commitment to course material scholarships! Shop them online or in-store at the University Co-op.
Thank you to our amazing vendors! 26 University Co-op
2246 GUADALUPE ST. AUSTIN, TX 78705 UNIVERSITYCOOP.COM