Fee Waiver FAQ's

• Are winter and summer courses fee waiver eligible?

  • No. Only regular session state-funded courses are fee waiver eligible. Special session and self-support courses are not eligible. We recommend asking the program/department if the class(es) you want to take are regular or special sessions to confirm their eligibility.

• Can fee waiver be used for the University of California (UC) schools or community colleges?

  • No. Fee waiver can only be used at California State Universities.

• Do I have to fill out a student admission application in order to take classes using fee waiver?

  • It depends on the type of fee waiver you choose to use.

    If you are working toward a degree using the Career Development fee waiver, you are required to apply to the CSU of your choice. Applying for CSU admission is a separate process from applying for fee waiver.

    If you are not working toward a degree but are taking job-related or personal development classes, the Job Related Fee Waiver Application acts as an application to the University.

• What are the tax implications for participating in this benefit?

  • The value of fees waived for the employee's use of their Fee Waiver benefit is non-taxable for undergraduate courses.

    For graduate and doctorate level courses the value of fees waived is nontaxable up to $5,250 (unless job-related) per tax year.

    Please note, if you are taking both undergraduate and graduate or doctoral level courses at the same time, the fees are taxable if the combined total for the tax year exceeds $5,250.

• Does my dependent have to be a matriculated student to use this benefit?
  • Yes. Dependents must be matriculated toward a degree or attainment of a teaching credential in the CSU to use fee waiver.
• What happens if my dependent child turns 24 or 26 (depending on bargaining unit) during the semester?
  • Your dependent child is eligible for the program until their birthday. If that occurs during the semester, your dependent child is allowed to complete that semester using this benefit but will not be eligible for the following semester.
• Can my dependent enroll in more than 2 classes?
  • Yes, however, this program covers only any combination of 6 units or 2 classes, whichever is greater, per semester. For example 2 four-unit courses are eligible, just as 1 one-unit course, 1 two-unit course, and 1 three-unit course are eligible through this program. There are several other combinations of courses that are eligible through this program. If you or your dependent take more than 2 classes or 6 units you will need to pay all additional fees.
• Do I qualify for a fee waiver if I am in the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP)?
  • You qualify for the fee waiver only during the semesters for which you are FERPing.
• I am a lecturer working one semester this academic year. Do I qualify for the fee waiver?
  • In order to qualify, lecturers must have a 3 year contract.
• Can my fee waiver be applied if I take a recreational class?
  • No. Courses must be for credit toward the degree’s requirements, career development courses or job-related courses.
• I work for an auxiliary at SJSU. Do I qualify to use the fee waiver program?
  • No.
• Can the employee attend any CSU or does that only apply to the dependent?
  • Employees and dependents can attend courses at any of the 23 campuses.
• Can the $70 application fee be reimbursed?
  • The employee must upload a copy of the "Cal State Apply" receipt to the application (DocuSign form). In addition, the employee can submit a separate email to fee-waiver@sjsu.edu with a copy of the receipt.
• How far in advance do we need to turn in the application?
  • Submit your application before the start of the semester. The deadlines are posted on the website for reference.
• My daughter attends another CSU campus. Will I need to do the reimbursement application with SJSU or the campus where she attends?
  • You will submit the application to SJSU.