In October 2025, Montgomery College students received an email informing them of the effective changes anticipated for the Spring semester of 2026. As notified, all students registered for credit classes were automatically enrolled in Slingshot Choice. As stated by Don Fahler, the bookstore manager, Montgomery College (MC) has been partnering with Slingshot since February 2025, with one goal in mind: make course materials effortless for students. With this new change, Slingshot automatically creates an order for students with the required materials suggested by the department, such as textbooks, access codes, art supplies, etc. These orders are linked to the MC student account, where students will pay the amount. Any student who wished not to participate had until Jan. 9 to opt out of Slingshot Choice.
MC chose Slingshot Choice for several reasons, three of which Fahler mentioned: it is statistically proven that students who have access to their materials on the first day of class have a higher success rate; it helps students and the bookstore budget properly; and it is easier to navigate than the traditional method of buying books.
So far in the 2026 Spring semester, MC bookstores collectively handed out 8000 physical orders. Showing a 2.5% increase compared to last semester, as pointed out by Fahler. Additionally, the vast majority ofthese orders were ready-to-go a week or more prior to the start of the semester.
Slingshot Choice allows students to pick up materials within minutes. This semester, students waited an average of 10-15 minutes for their physical orders at the bookstore. It is worth noting that this wait time could have been heavily influenced by the delayed opening of the semester, resulting in more students arriving at the same time for pickups.
A few students were notified that Slingshot Choice had created an order for them with an amount pending on their MC student account despite opting out. Fahler commented on this inconvenience, stating, “The order was created the same day the student opted out.” Students who dealt with this problem must not pay that amount but talk with the bookstore to remove the order from their account. Students who opted out for the Spring semester and did not change their preference through the Slingshot website should not face this problem again in the following semesters.
Slingshot Choice has allowed science students like Lara, a double major in biotechnology, to have her safety equipment and lab notebook available for her first lab section; it has allowed students like Anita, majoring in computer science, to have access to all her textbooks and materials before the start of class; and it has allowed students like Emma, a general studies major, to opt out and look for books elsewhere.
MC has been vocal about Slingshot Choice since its introduction. It sent constant reminders to students who wished not to participate months prior, and as the deadline to opt out approached, communication increased as well. Currently, the college is trying to expand communication methods for students who missed these emails. For instance, various departments are instructed to inform students regarding Slingshot Choice and how to change preferences through Slingshot website.
Fahler insists that every student registered for a credit class should be aware of Slingshot Choice. Miscommunication or unfamiliarity with Slingshot Choice can be a financial burden for students who want to opt out, as it is directly connected to their MC student account. To change preferences, log in to Slingshot through MyMC Student Account, click on My Account, and under Course Material Preferences, pick one of the options. A green pop-up confirms the update.
MC is open to any feedback regarding Slingshot Choice. Students who have any questions can reach out to Fahler at [email protected] or visit MC Campus Store and Distribution Hubs on the MC Website.
