Purchase and Access Help for StudentsSkip to start of content.
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Redeem Access with VitalSource

After you purchase courseware or Cengage Unlimited from VitalSource or their affiliated campus bookstores, you will receive an email on how to get your Cengage access code (SAM: key code). Register it on the Cengage site to unlock your access.

Enroll in your course before registering your access code (SAM: key code).
  1. On your receipt next to Access Code, copy the 20-character code. Check your spam folder if the email is not in your inbox.
  2. Sign in at vitalsource.com.
  3. Click Redeem Code.
  4. Enter the code and click Redeem.
    Your purchase appears under Bookshelf.
  5. Under your purchase, click Reveal Access Code > Continue > Reveal Access Code and copy a code like the following:

    A 14-character code beginning with P.

    This code is your Cengage access code (SAM: key code).
  6. Open your Cengage dashboard at login.cengage.com.
  7. Click Enter Access Code or Course Key and follow the instructions to enter your access code (SAM: key code).