Students enrolled in academic programs at the American University of Afghanistan must have the prescribed textbooks for each class they take. Textbooks are an integral part of all courses offered by the University.

Undergraduate textbooks

In fall 2007 the University implemented a textbook borrowing service for undergraduate students. This enables student access to prescribed texts for the duration of the semester while avoiding the substantial cost of buying new textbooks for each class.

To borrow a textbook for a semester, students will sign out the texts from the library. Students are responsible for their books, which may cost in excess of 7,500AFS each. At the end of the semester, the books must be returned to the library. Librarians will check the books in and clear the students of responsibility for those texts returned.

If a textbook is lost, stolen, or damaged the student must pay the replacement cost of the book, plus a 1,250AFS reordering/cataloging fee per item. Prices will be determined by the librarian when notified of the loss.

Students failing to return books are reported to the Admissions Office, which will not release a student's grades until all books have been returned or paid for.

Foundation Studies Program Textbooks

Students enrolled in the Foundation Studies Program require specialized textbooks. The University provides a textbook service to students, whereby students can purchase their books, at cost, from the University. This ensures that all students are studying from the same book.

Depending on the book being, textbooks cost between 750 to 3,000 AFS. Once purchased, the textbook becomes the property of the student. When a student moves up a level, they are required to buy a new textbook.

Textbooks can be purchased from the Foundation Studies Program on the third day of classes.