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JPASS: Individual Subscriptions to JSTOR

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What is JPASS?

JPASS is a paid subscription to scholarly journal content that includes the archives of all the journals listed in the JPASS Collection which represents approximately 83% of the journals on the JSTOR website. New content is added to the JPASS collection each month.

Content not included in the JPASS Collection includes scholarly books, primary sources (except Struggles for Freedom: Southern Africa, which is included), most recent issues of some journals, and in some cases, journal archives. Some of this unavailable content may be found via the read online free program, for purchase as an individual article, or through an interlibrary loan from a JSTOR-participating library.

If you're unsure about whether or not a particular article or journal participates in the JPASS collection, you can browse the journals list on the JPASS browse collections page where you can filter by subject and/or publisher.

Pricing and subscription options

JPASS subscriptions are available in monthly or annual payment options.

  • Monthly plans cost $19.50 USD and include 10 PDF downloads per month and are eligible for auto-renewal.
  • Annual plans cost $199.00 USD and include 120 PDF downloads and while they do not auto-renew, annual plans may be subject to a discount. Contact support@jstor.org to learn more.
JPASS Plan Price PDF Downloads Included Auto-renew Available?
Monthly (resets unless you opt-into auto-renew before 30 days) $19.50  10 Yes
Annual $199.00 120 No

Learn more about How JPASS Works and which plan is right for you.

How to buy JPASS

  1. Log in to your personal JSTOR account, if you have one, or register for a free personal JSTOR account.
  2. Choose JPASS Downloads from the drop-down menu under your account name.
    JPASS Downloads option in account drop-down menu
  3. Click the Learn More button to visit the JPASS site and browse the journals and issues included in the JPASS Collection.
    Learn more button in JPASS Downloads screen in account
  4. Choose from either a monthly or annual subscription plan and check the box to accept JSTOR's Terms and Conditions.
    • If you choose a monthly plan, and don't want your JPASS to automatically renew each month, select Pay by the month before checking out.
      Pay by month option in JPASS checkout screen
  5. Click the Check out button to finish checking out through PayPal.
    • There are two PayPal payment options:
        • If you have an existing PayPal account, enter your PayPal credentials and select Login. (If you selected a monthly plan and want it to automatically renew each month, you must select this option.)
        • OR select Pay with Debit or Credit Card to check out as a guest.

      PayPal checkout screen
    • You can cancel the payment process anytime by selecting the Cancel and Return to ITHAKA Harbors (JPASS) link at the bottom of the screen. Your debit or credit card (if select) will not be charged.
    • If you have questions about the PayPal checkout experience, please refer to PayPal customer service.
  6. After confirming your method of payment, click the Purchase button to complete your purchase and add your JPASS to your JSTOR account.
    Review and confirm purchase screen

How to renew your JPASS

To renew an existing JPASS:

  1. Log in to your personal JSTOR account.
  2. Choose JPASS Downloads from the drop-down menu under your account name.
  3. Click the Purchase button in the JPASS Downloads section of your JSTOR account.

I have a monthly JPASS subscription and have remaining downloads. Can I use them later?

This depends on when and if you choose to renew your JPASS subscription. JPASS downloads can roll over in your personal account indefinitely as long as the subscription remains active. Any remaining downloads from a prior monthly subscription will continue to be available in your JPASS monthly plan if you choose to renew before the full month has passed post-purchase.

For example, if you had a one-month plan and only used 5 of your 10 downloads, purchasing another one-month JPASS would give you a total of 15 downloads and extend your membership by a month.

What if I didn't renew within one month of purchase?

JPASS download counts will reset without any "rollover" downloads if you don't choose to renew the subscription within the 30-day time period. 

How to turn off automatic renewal

If you have a monthly JPASS plan that is set to automatically renew every month, you can cancel the automatic renewal of your plan.

To cancel your auto-renewal:

  1. Log in to your personal JSTOR account.
  2. Choose JPASS Downloads from the drop-down menu under your account name.
  3. Click Cancel Plan, and then click Cancel my subscription. 

When you cancel your subscription, you'll still have until the current month of JPASS ends to use your remaining downloads. You can check your plan's expiration date in the JPASS Downloads section of your account.

How to refund your JPASS purchase

For our JPASS access plan refund policy and instructions, please visit JSTOR Refund Policy for more information.

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