Some school bookstores sell prepaid access keys to students, to allow students to directly use financial aid. Note: Most students on financial aid subscribe via credit card at zyBooks.com, which may have a lower price, enable future discounts/refunds, and save time. See this article on financial aid. (A few schools include the subscription cost in the student's fees, so provide access keys to all students).
A zyBook prepaid access key is 10 characters and starts with zy, like zy123abc45 (just an example).
To use an access key, students first go to a zyBook's home page. If unsubscribed, a price will appear, followed by a payment info area. That area may have an access key box:
Upon entering a valid access key, the price will drop -- usually to $0, so no credit card is needed.
Once the key is applied, click the orange "Subscribe" button to finish the process.
An access key is specific to a particular zyBook code, and cannot be used for a different zyBook code (including for a different term).
NOTE: The access key box only appears if that particular zyBook code has access keys issued.
Sometimes the item provided by the bookstore has the zyBook prepaid access key in hard-to-find spots (like another paper stapled to a receipt, or on their website that students must log in to).
If you purchased an access key from your bookstore and are still waiting for the key to be delivered, we would be happy to offer you 30 days of free access while you work with them. You can request a deferral by following the instructions in our guide, Does zyBooks offer temporary subscriptions?
If your access key does not work, or no access key box appears, your bookstore may have provided a wrong key (different class, previous term, etc). Contact support@zybooks.com with info (zyBook code, access key, instructor/class name, etc.) and we'll try to get you learning ASAP.