JAMAICA — For the first time this fall, incoming freshmen at St. John’s University can save hundreds of dollars on textbooks, lab manuals, and general courseware through the all-new St. John’s Ready Program.
The program, funded by an anonymous alumni donor, is expected to save each participating student close to $700 a semester.
St. John’s is the first private university in the metropolitan region to offer the benefit, according to Scott Lemperle, executive director of Conference and Auxiliary Services at St. John’s University. The more than 2,000 freshmen entering St. John’s University for the fall 2026 and spring 2027 terms are automatically enrolled in the program, he added.
To get their free textbooks, courseware, and lab manuals, students go to the university bookstore and show a QR code they received via email, which lists what they need before the first day of class.
“All the required course materials have been provided for them, so anything from digital materials to any physical materials, lab coats, calculators, art supplies,” Lemperle said.
After discussions with administrators and securing a donor, the university was able to provide all course materials before the first day of classes on Sept. 2.
The initiative also preserves faculty academic freedom, as instructors retain full discretion over which materials they assign, with the university covering the cost rather than dictating the content, according to Lemperle.
St. John’s Ready will run as a pilot program through spring 2028, after which the university will decide whether or not to extend the program.
“I think this program really [speaks] to the mission of the university, and trying to provide (for) students and setting them up for success with their education here,” Lemperle said.
For Castro, the savings were immediate: a calculator and textbook for this semester, plus a lab coat for next semester.
“Today’s my first day, so it’s already a big stress just navigating campus, meeting new people, and starting class in general,” Castro said. “Whatever help I can get is definitely appreciated. This program is definitely amazing.”
