Understanding Fee Types

 

As outlined in Executive Order No. 1054, the California State University Fee Policy defines fees into categories:

  • Category I Fees - Systemwide mandatory tuition fees and other fees that must be paid to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university, or to pay the full cost of instruction required of some students by statute.
  • Category II Fees - Campus mandatory fees that must be paid to enroll in or attend the university.
  • Category III Fees - Fees associated with state - supported courses. Specifically for materials and services used in concert with the basic foundation of an academic course offering.
  • Category IV Fees - Fees, other than Category II or III fees, paid to receive materials, services, or for the use of facilities provided by the university; and fees or deposits to reimburse the university for additional costs resulting from dishonored payments, late submissions, or misuse of property or as a security or guaranty.
  • Category V Fees - Fees paid to self - support programs such as Extended Education, Parking and Housing including materials and services fees, user fees, fines, deposits.

 

Student Fee Matrix

Fee Category

Fee Type

Examples

Authority

Steps
I Systemwide Mandatory Fees  Application fees, enrollment fees, tuition fees Board of Trustees  
II Camous Mandatory Fees  Student Union, AS* fee, IRA fee  Chancellor establishes fees.

Campus Level: President has oversight and may adjust or eliminate fees.

Steps:

  • CFO Review
  • Sponsor and President determine Alternative Consultation or Referendum


*All AS fees must go through referendum 

Alternative Consultation:

  1. Sponsor to work with constituents
  2. CFAC review and recommendation to President
  3. President Approval

Referendum:

  1. CFAC coordinates referendum
  2. Vote occurs
  3. CFAC review and recommendation to President
  4. President approval 
III Course Fees  materials and services related to State supported courses  Chancellor authorizes a dollar range for fees.
  • $0 - $150 Course fees
  • $0 - $3000 Field Trips

Campus Level: Campus President approval of in range, Chancellor's Office for out of range.

  1.  CFO review
  2. CFAC review
  3. CFAC recommendation to President
  4. President approval
IV Fees Other than Category II/III  late submission, graduation fees, transfer orientation  CFO review of fee proposal, with recommendation to campus President for approval.

Notification follows to CFAC.
  1.  CFO review
  2. CFO recommendation to President
  3. President approval
  4. Notification/advisory only to CFAC
V Self Support Program Housing, Parking, Extended Education  CFO review of fee proposal, with recommendation to campus President for approval.

Notification follows to CFAC.
  1.  CFO review
  2. CFO recommendation to President
  3. President approval
  4. Notification/advisory only to CFAC