CSU Fee Waiver and Reduction Program

The California State University (CSU) offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in the CSU Employee Fee Waiver and Reduction Program. This program provides a waiver or reduction of certain fees for employees and eligible dependents. Employees may enroll in job-related courses offered by the CSU for the purpose of improving skills for existing jobs, or advancement in accordance with a career development plan. Applicants must meet all university admission requirements. Admission to a CSU campus is not guaranteed.

Fee waiver applications received outside of the filing period will be delayed in processing and may result in the following:

Paying the full tuition cost and other fees out of pocket (reimbursement may take several weeks)
Dropped from courses if the fees are not paid by the fee payment deadline date.

What is fee waiver?

Employee Fee Waiver is a tuition reduction program for eligible CSU employees to take work-related courses or to pursue a degree in support of CSU career goals.

Additionally, the Fee Waiver and Reduction Program provides eligible dependents of CSU employees the opportunity to attend classes at any CSU campus at reduced rates. All eligible non-represented and represented employees may enroll in a maximum of two (2) courses or six (6) units, whichever is greater per term.

Eligibility

EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY

Employees of the CSU and their dependents may apply for the fee waiver reduction program.

Eligibility by Employee Category
Employee Category	Eligibility Criteria
Unit 1 (Physicians)	All unit members.
Units 2, 5, 7, 9, (CSUEU) Unit 4 (Academic Professionals) Unit 6 (Skilled Trades)	Full-time employees (i.e., permanent, temporary, & probationary) and part-time permanent employees.
Unit 3 (Faculty)	Tenured and probationary faculty unit employees (excluding coaches), and temporary faculty unit employees with three (3) year appointments pursuant to Article 12 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Coaches must have at least six (6) years of consecutive years of service in the department. FERP employees are considered tenured and are eligible for fee waviers only during the semesters/quarters when they are actively employed.
Unit 8 (Public Safety) M98 (Executive) Unit C99 (Confidential)* E99 (Excluded) *	Full-time or part-time permanent employees, and full-time probationary employees (no temporary). *C99 and E99 employees only attain permanent status in part-time positions as a result of completing a probationary period in a full-time position and, subsequently, reducing their time base.
M80 (MPP)	Full-time employees (includes temporary).

Note: Please check Collective Bargaining Agreements for provisions concerning the appointment of part-time, permanent employees.

Dependent Eligibility

Eligible employees may transfer their fee waiver benefit to a spouse, dependent child (within applicable age limits) or registered domestic partner, as noted in the following table:

Employee Category	Eligible Fee Waiver Dependents	Dependent Age for Child
Represented Employees
Unit 1 (Physicians)	Spouse Dependent Child Registered Domestic Partner	Up to Age 23
Units 2,5,7, 9 (CSUEU) Unit 3 (Faculty) Unit 4 (APC) Unit 6 (Skilled Trades) Unit 8 (Public Safety)	Spouse Dependent Child Registered Domestic Partner	Up to Age 25
Unit 10 (IUOE) (Age 23)	Spouse Dependent Child Registered Domestic Partner	Up to Age 23
Unit 13 (CSULA Lecturers) Unit 14 (CSU Monterey Bay)	N/A	N/A
Non-Represented Employees
C99 (Confidential) M80 (MPP) M98 (Executives)	Spouse Dependent Child Registered Domestic Partner	Up to Age 25
E99 (Excluded)	N/A	N/A

Please note: There are occasions where the dependent turns age 23 or 25 (depending on employee category) during the quarter or semester while they are enrolled in courses. When this occurs, it is acceptable for campuses to allow the dependent(s) to complete the semester or quarter because Fee Waiver benefits are not pro-rated. However, any future courses taken, once the age threshold has been met, would be ineligible for the Fee Waiver Program.

Fee Waiver Options

Career Development Courses

For courses that are not job-related, there must be a current Career Development Plan (CDP) on file. CDPs generally cover established programs such as degrees, certificates, or credentials. The primary responsibility for career development rests with the employee. While job promotions are not guaranteed as a result of completing career development courses, an employee may be better prepared and more competitive for job vacancies as a result of having completed specific courses or a degree program. The CDP should be updated whenever there is a change in the degree program or objective.

Job-Related Courses or Work-Related Courses

These are courses that directly improve skills or enhance knowledge for performing duties in an employee's current position. An employee may also take courses to acquire new skills needed to perform newly assigned duties and responsibilities. Enrollment may be voluntary or at the direction of the employee's supervisor or manager. Employees can take job/work-related courses without being a matriculated student; in this case, a “Short Application” is required with the Fee Waiver application. To continue taking job/work-related courses, the “Short Application” along with the Fee Waiver application is required every semester.

Fees

Employees of the CSU and their dependents are subject to certain fees with the use of the fee waiver reduction program.

Employee Fees

Fees waived or reduced under the CSU Fee Waiver Program vary for represented and non-represented employee categories and are based on collective bargaining agreements for represented employees and policy for non- represented employees as follows:

Employee Category	Fees Fully Waived	Fees Partially Waived**	Fees Reduced to $1.00
Unit 1 (Physicians)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee State University Tuition Fee* Instructionally Related Activity Fee Health Services Fee	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee for enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee
Units 2,5,7,9 (CSUEU)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) State University Tuition Fee* Instructionally Related Activity Fee Health Services Fee Professional Program Fee (Graduate Fee) All other Category I and II fees as defined in Executive Order No.1102 (excluding the Doctoral Program Fee and the Non-Resident Tuition unless eligible through Title 5, Section 41910).	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee for enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee/Student Body Center Fee Health Facilities Fee
Unit 3 (Faculty)	Application Fee Health Services Fee Identification Card Fee Instructionally Related Activity Fee State University Tuition Fee* All other Category I and II fees as defined in Executive Order No.1102 (excluding the Doctoral Program Fee and the Non-Resident Tuition unless eligible through Title 5, Section 41910 provisions).	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee is applicable to enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee
Unit 4 (APC)	Application Fee Health Services Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) Instructionally Related Activity Fee Professional Program Fee State University Tuition Fee* All other Category I and II fees as defined in Executive Order (EO) 1102 shall be waived for employees, except the doctoral program fee and Non-Resident Tuition fee	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee is applicable to enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee
Unit 6 (Skilled Trades)	Application Fee Health Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) State University Tuition Fee* Instructionally Related Activity Fee	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee for enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee
Unit 8 (Public Safety)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee State University Tuition Fee* Instructionally Related Activity Fee Health Services Fee	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee for enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee
C99 (Confidential) E99 (Excluded) M80, M98 (MPP, Executives)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee State University Tuition Fee* CSU Doctorate Tuition Fee Instructionally Related Activity Fee Health Services Fee	N/A	Associated Student Body Fee University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee

This includes the State University Tuition Fee charged during state-supported summer term. State University Tuition Fees include Undergraduate, Credential and Graduate/Post Baccalaureate Tuition Fees.

**Under a CSU Doctoral Program, employees pay the difference between the Doctoral Tuition Fee and the part-time Graduate Fee.

Dependent Fees

Fees waived or reduced under the CSU Fee Waiver Program vary for dependents of represented and non-represented employee categories and are based on CBA for represented employees and Policy for non-represented employees as follows:

Employee Category	Dependent Fees Fully Waived	Dependent Fees Partially Waived	Dependent Fees Reduced to $1.00
Unit 1 (Physicians)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) State University Tuition Fee*	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee is applicable to enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	None; all other fees paid at regular rates.
Units 2,5,7,9 (CSUEU)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) State University Tuition Fee*	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee is applicable to enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	None; all other fees paid at regular rates.
Unit 3 (Faculty)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee State University Tuition Fee*	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee is applicable to enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	None; all other fees paid at regular rates.
Unit 4 (APC)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) State University Tuition Fee*	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee is applicable to enrollment in the CSU Doctoral Program	None; all other fees paid at regular rates.
Unit 6 (Skilled Trades)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee (if mandatory) State University Tuition Fee*	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee for enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	None; all other fees paid at regular rates.
Unit 8 (Public Safety)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee State University Tuition Fee*	Equivalent of the Part- Time Graduate Tuition Fee for enrollment in a CSU Doctoral Program	Student Body Center Fee/Student Union Fee
E99 (Excluded)	N/A	N/A	N/A
C99 (Confidential) M80, M98 (MPP, Executives)	Application Fee Identification Card Fee State University Tuition Fee* Doctoral Tuition Fee Instructionally Related Activity Fee Health Services Fee	N/A	Student Body Center Fee/University Union Fee Health Facilities Fee

It is common practice for a dependent child (or spouse/domestic partner) of a CSU employee to apply to more than one CSU campus. However, each campus collects an application fee to apply. Under the Fee Waiver Program, only one set of fees is waived at the campus in which the employee/dependent enrolls. This includes only one waiver/reimbursement of one application Fee regardless of the number of applications. There are no exceptions to this policy and campus Fee Waiver Coordinators or designees are responsible for ensuring that employees/dependents are not erroneously reimbursed or provided additional waivers for multiple application fees. Application fees should be paid at the time the application is submitted; fee will be reimbursed once the applicant is enrolled.

Taxes

Courses: Taxable and Non-Taxable

Generally, undergraduate fees for employees are nontaxable. Graduate/Doctorate fees for employees are nontaxable if expenses do not exceed $5,250 (in a calendar year) pursuant to IRC 117(d) and 127.

The table below summarizes taxable and non-taxable courses.

Eligible Participant	Course Level	Tax Status
Employee	Undergraduate	Nontaxable
Employee	Graduate	Nontaxable up to $5,250
Employee’s Spouse or Dependent Child	Undergraduate	Nontaxable
Employee’s Spouse or Dependent Child	Graduate	Taxable

Campus Fee Waiver coordinators were previously responsible for determining whether graduate courses taken by employees under the Program were job related under IRC Section 132(d). When the value of graduate-level education exceeded $5,250, some employees qualified for the working condition fringe benefit to be excluded from their W-2 wages.

Effective with the 2019 tax year, commencing with the spring 2019 academic term, all graduate/doctorate level courses taken by employees exceeding the $5,250 threshold will be taxable and withheld from the employee’s pay warrant. Employees may consult a personal tax advisor to determine if courses taken are job related pursuant to IRC Section 132(d) and submit the deduction on their personal tax return.

Conditions and Limitations

Conditions and Limitations of Benefits

The State University Fee for dependents is waived only for two courses or six units, whichever is greater. A dependent taking CSU courses in addition to those courses covered by the fee waiver shall pay the difference between the part-time State University Fee and the full-time State University Fee.

The spouse, dependent child, or domestic partner (hereinafter referred to as "dependent") must be matriculated toward a degree or the attainment of a credential in the CSU and the course(s) enrolled in on a fee waiver basis must be for credit toward completion of that degree.

The dependent fee waiver benefit applies only to certain fees incurred by California residents. Dependents who do not meet established in-State residency requirements (and who do not qualify for classification as residents in accordance with the provisions of Section 41910, California Code of Regulations) will be responsible for paying non-resident tuition charges based upon the total number of units in which they are enrolled.

Graduate-level courses taken by dependents are subject to taxation for the employee; undergraduate and graduate-level courses taken by domestic partners are subject to taxation for the employee.

The fee waiver program applies to courses supported by the CSU general fund. Self-support programs (e.g., College of Extended Learning courses) are not covered

Courses taken under the fee waiver program must be taken for grades or credit / no credit; they may not be audited.

This benefit applies to all CSU campuses. However, admission to any CSU campus is not guaranteed. Applicants must meet all university admission requirements.

Campus administration will determine that space is available in a particular class.

A new dependent fee waiver form must be submitted for each term (quarter or semester).

Fee waiver eligibility may be transferred to only one person at a time, regardless of whether that individual uses the full entitlement of 2 courses or 6 units.

Staff employees may be granted release time to attend one course per term on campus during scheduled working hours provided that the operational needs of the department are met (as determined by the area administrator). Approval of the area administrator and supervisor is required for all such arrangements.

Normal academic standards shall be maintained. This may include a review of the grades received for the courses taken. Unsatisfactory performance in the courses or lack of progress toward the goals stated in a Career Development Plan may be cause for withholding further approval for participation in the Fee Waiver Program.

How to Enroll

Enrollment Overview: The following procedures apply to new fee waiver participants.

Step 1

You have two options: Career Development Courses (degree program) or Work-Related Courses (transitory student).

Submit an application to Cal State University.
- Apply online for admission to the University and choose a degree program.
You must meet all admission requirements for the term you are applying to, including meeting all deadlines.
- For more information about the university admissions and application deadlines, please visit the Office of Admissions .

Step 2

Step 3

Submit a completed Career Development Plan (if pursuing a degree) to Risk Management. How to access AEM forms.

Step 4

You have two options: Career Development Courses (degree program) or Work-Related Courses (transitory student).

Submit a completed Fee Waiver Request Form to the Department of Risk Management. How to access AEM forms .
Submit the CSU Employee Short Application to complete job-related courses as a transitory student. How to access AEM forms .

The application filing period is approximately:

Fall June 1 - August 1
Spring November 1 - January 2

A Fee Waiver form must be submitted for each term.

An email notification will be sent to you once your request has been approved by Risk Management.

Additional Enrollment Information

Registration completed during the late registration period will generate a late fee. The late fee will NOT be covered by the fee waiver benefit.

It is common practice for an employee or dependent to apply to more than one CSU campus. However, each campus collects an application fee to apply. Under the Fee Waiver Program, only one set of fees is waived at the campus in which the employee/dependent enrolls. This includes only one waiver/reimbursement of one application fee regardless of the number of applications.