Fee Waiver

• Fees are waived for a maximum of two (2) classes, or 6 units, whichever is greater. Exceptions to this limitation are made for employees on leave.

• If the unit/course limitation is exceeded, the employee must pay the difference in fees.

• All classes must be taken for academic credit and meet normal academic standards.

• Classes may NOT be audited.

• Fees cannot be waived for courses taken through Extended Education, Open University and Special Session.

• Enrollment in physical education, activity or recreation leisure courses as "work-related" for stress management or fitness purposes, while beneficial, are not eligible for fee waiver.

• Eligible employees enrolled in a Doctoral program are eligible for a partial fee waiver equivalent to the part-time Graduate Tuition fee. Employees are responsible for paying the difference between the applicable Doctorate fee and the part-time Graduate Tuition fee.

• MPP or C99 doctoral fee waivers shall be in compliance with respective CSU policy.

• An Employee Fee Waiver Application must be submitted for each term of attendance utilizing the fee waiver benefit. The completed form may be emailed (preferred), faxed, or routed through inter-campus mail.

• Fee waiver submission deadlines are determined by each CSU campus. Contact the appropriate campus of attendance for specific requirements.

• An Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP) must be completed by all new participants in the fee waiver program and revised whenever there is a change in career development objectives.

• Dependents are entitled to the waiver of the State University Fee for 2 classes or 6 Units, whichever is greater.

• If the unit/course limitation is exceeded, the employee must pay the difference in fees.

• Eligible dependents enrolled in the CSU Doctoral program are eligible for a partial fee waiver equivalent to the part-time Graduate Tuition Fee. Eligible dependents are responsible for paying the difference between the applicable Doctorate Fee and the part-time Graduate Tuition fee.

• Eligible dependent doctoral fee waivers shall be in compliance with respective CSU policy.

• The dependent must be matriculated toward a degree or teaching credential and the courses enrolled in on a fee-waiver basis must be for credit toward completion of that degree or teaching credential.

• An eligible employee may transfer their fee waiver benefit to one person (either a spouse, a dependent child, or domestic partner), regardless of whether that individual uses the full entitlement of 2 courses.

• If both parents are eligible employees, each may have a fee waiver benefit that can be conferred. One child may be the recipient of both benefits making him or her eligible to enroll in up to 4 classes on a fee waiver basis. However, each parent may give his or her benefit to a different child, with each child being entitled to no more than 2 courses of fee waiver eligibility.

• The Dependent Fee Waiver program does not provide for preferential admission consideration for participants.

• Fees cannot be waived for courses taken through Extended Education, Open University and Special Session.

• A Dependent Fee Waiver Application transferring your benefit to your dependent/spouse/domestic partner must be submitted for each term of attendance utilizing the dependent fee waiver program. The form may be faxed, mailed, or hand delivered. Submit the completed form to Human Resources two months prior to the start of classes.

• Fee waiver submission deadlines are determined by each CSU campus. Contact the appropriate campus of attendance for specific requirements.

• The following employees are eligible to participate in the fee waiver program:

  • Full-time permanent or probationary employees

  • Full-time temporary employees, if allowed by collective bargaining contract

  • Permanent part-time employees

  • Employees on an approved leave of absence, if otherwise eligible

  • Temporary faculty employees with three (3) year appointments pursuant to Article 12. Coaches with at least six (6) consecutive years of service in the department.

CSU Fee Waiver eligibility criteria for represented and non-represented employee categories is summarized in the table below:

 

* FERP employees are considered tenured faculty and are eligible for fee waiver only during the semesters/quarters when they are actively employed.

** 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.

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

Employees who meet the above Employee Fee Waiver criteria may choose to transfer their fee waiver benefit to a spouse, dependent child, or an eligible domestic partner (where allowable).

Additional CSU Dependent Fee Waiver eligibility criteria for represented and non-represented employee categories is summarized in the table below:

*Requires employee to have a declaration of Domestic Partnership on file with the California Secretary of State. The form is available from Human Resources.

**A dependent child is defined as:

• Your child or stepchild who has never been married;

• A child living with you in a parent-child relationship who is economically dependent upon you (in accordance with IRS guidelines), and has never been married. Requires completion of the affidavit of Eligibility for Economically Dependent Children Form

• Your child or stepchild who is incapable of self-support due to a disability that existed prior to age 23. Requires completion of the Disabled Dependent Benefit Form

 

*Tuition Fee may be fully waived for a maximum of two (2) courses or six (6) units, whichever is greater, per term. This includes the Tuition fee charged during state-supported summer term and Doctorate Tuition Fee charged for the CSU Ed.D. Program. The Tuition Fee applies to Undergraduate, Credential, Graduate/Post Baccalaureate and Doctorate Tuition Fees. Employees taking courses in addition to the fee waiver courses shall pay any difference in fees, per applicable collective bargaining agreement and Executive Order 712. All other fees shall be at the regular rates. Please note: The full Tuition Fee is waived if an employee takes only two courses that exceed 6.0 units. Under the Fee Waiver Program, only one set of fees is waived at the campus in which the employee enrolls. This includes only one waiver/reimbursement of one Application Fee regardless of the number of applications.

CSU Fee Waiver - Fees Waived/Exchanged

 

*Tuition Fee may be fully waived for a maximum of two courses or six units, whichever is greater, per term. This includes the Tuition Fee charged during state-supported summer term and the Doctorate tuition fee charged for the CSU Ed.D. Program

Please note: Under the Fee Waiver Program, only one set of fees is waived at the campus in which the eligible dependent enrolls. This includes the waiver/reimbursement of only one Application Fee regardless of the number of applications.

Tax Issues

The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides three ways to make employer-provided training and educational assistance, including fee waivers and reductions, excludable from taxable income:

1. Qualified Tuition Reduction under Internal Revenue Code Section 117(d);
2. Educational Assistance Programs under Internal Revenue Code Section 127; and
3. Working Condition Fringe Benefits under Internal Revenue Code Section 132(d).

By coordinating the three Internal Revenue Code Sections under the CSU Fee Waiver and Reduction Program, the following tax-free or taxable benefits are available to CSU employees and their eligible spouses, domestic partners, and/or dependent children:

 

CSU Fee Waiver - Fees Waived/Exchanged