Affordable Instructional Resources (AIR) is a network of Northwestern faculty and staff interested in reducing the course material costs in order to create more inclusive and accessible learning environments.

Northwestern students are expected to budget upwards of $1,600 per year for books and supplies. These costs vary by discipline and can negatively affect academic performance, especially for students from low or middle income backgrounds. While scholarships, grants, and loans help with tuition and housing, textbooks and supplies tend to fall directly within the student’s family or individual contribution, causing disparity in our classrooms.