Introduction

The Fee Waiver Program, established in 1975, provides eligible California State University employees the opportunity to attend classes at CSU campuses at reduced rates.  The authority to administer the program is based on Executive Order No. 491, supplemental policies issued by the Office of the Chancellor, and collective bargaining agreements.  Eligible employees are encouraged to take advantage of  this valuable opportunity to increase their skills in their current work assignment, or better prepare them to achieve a career objective consistent with the needs of the University. 

Note:  An employee remains eligible, if he or she is on approved full or partial leaves of absence with or without pay.   If the leave is for medical/health reasons, a statement is required from the health care provider.  Employees NOT eligible to participate are temporary part-time, continuing part-time and those who terminated employment.                  

Program Options

Three options are offered under the Employee Fee Waiver Program: 

1.            Work Related – Courses to enhance the employee’s knowledge and/or skills necessary to perform the duties of the employee’s current position.  The employee is not a matriculating student of CSU, East Bay.  To apply, please complete the Fee Waiver Application – Work Related form and submit it to Human Resources by the deadline for each quarter of attendance.

2.            Career Development – For the purpose of earning credits toward a degree to enhance upward movement.  The employee is a matriculating student of a CSU campus and taking courses for credit toward such degree.  Employees applying for Career Development for the first time (or after an absence of two quarters) must apply for admission to and be accepted by the University as a student upon their own merits.  (Contact admissions for an application and deadlines.)  To apply, please complete the Fee Waiver – Career Development form and submit it to Human Resources by the deadline for each quarter of attendance.

3.            Dependent Fee Waiver Transfer – Employees eligible for the CSU Fee Waiver program may transfer their existing fee waiver benefit to one eligible dependent each term.  The dependent must be a matriculating student working toward a degree at a CSU campus and taking courses for credit to meet the degree’s requirements.  While participating in this program, the employee may not participate in the Work Related or Career Development Program for that term.  To apply, please complete the Dependent Fee Waiver form and submit it to Human Resources by the deadline for each quarter of attendance.

Fees

Please follow the instructions in the Class Schedule, which outlines options for payment of fees. The following fees are for the 2007-2008 year and are subject to change without advance notice by the Trustees of the California State University.  Employees taking courses in addition to the fee waiver courses shall pay the difference in fees.  All other fees shall be at the regular rates. This benefit applies to CSU general fund courses only. Courses in self-support programs may not be taken through fee waiver.

Work Related and Career Development Programs for Employee

 

      Dependent Program

Application Process

The Fee Waiver Coordinator in Human Resources administers the Fee Waiver Program.  Fee waiver applications and Individual Career Development Plan forms are available in Human Resources.  A Fee Waiver application must be submitted each quarter to Human Resources by the deadline to ensure continuous participation.

 

Deadlines

The deadlines are set to meet enrollment and registration needs.  All participants must submit their Fee Waiver applications to Human Resources no later than the specified term deadline. 

 

Quarter Term        Deadline                          Semester Term          Deadline

Spring 2008          Contact HR

Summer 2008                                                   Summer 2008              

Fall 2008                                                          Fall 2008     

 

Use of Release Time

An employee may take one course during regularly scheduled working hours, providing the supervisor approves the request, based on the operational needs of the unit. If the operational needs are not met, the supervisor may either deny the request, or may allow the employee to adjust the work schedule. If more than one course is taken during scheduled working hours, the supervisor must approve the adjusted schedule.

 

Intercampus Enrollments

In some instances, employees may need to enroll at another CSU campus. There is no release time for travel to and from another CSU campus. The Fee Waiver Coordinator provides certification that the employee is approved to take a work-related or career development course.  Contact the Fee Waiver Coordinator for further information.

 

Continued Participation

An employee must maintain normal academic standards to continue in the Fee Waiver Program.

Dependent Fee Waiver

Employees eligible for the CSU Fee Waiver program may transfer their existing fee waiver benefit entitlement to an eligible dependent.  This benefit is subject to the following conditions:

• The employee may transfer fee waiver eligibility to only one dependent; therefore, employee cannot participate in the fee waiver program during the dependent’s participation.

• Eligible dependent must be matriculated toward a degree or teaching credential at a CSU campus.  Courses must count for credit toward a degree or credential.  Normal academic standards must be maintained.

•  If both parents are eligible employees, each may confer a fee waiver benefit -- even to the same dependent.

• Approval is for one term only and must be re-established for each additional term of enrollment.  A Dependent Fee Waiver Application must be submitted for each term. 

• Eligible dependent may use the dependent fee waiver eligibility at another CSU campus.  Enrollment in classes at other CSU campuses is subject to space availability.

• This fee waiver benefit does not apply to out-of-state tuition. This benefit applies to CSU general fund courses only. Courses in self-support programs may not be taken through fee waiver.

 Dependent Eligibility

Dependent child is defined as (1) your child or stepchild under age 23 who has never been married; (2) a child living with you in a parent-child relationship who is economically dependent upon you, under age 23 and has never been married; or (3) your child or stepchild age 23 or above who is incapable of self -support due to a disability which existed prior to 23.

Domestic Partnership as defined by the State of California: Same-sex domestic partnerships between persons who are both at least 18 years of age, OR opposite sex domestic partnerships when one or both persons are over the age of 62 and one or both partners meet the specified eligibility criteria under the Social Security Act.  DOCUMENTATION NEEDED:  Domestic Partnerships meeting these requirements are eligible to register with the Secretary of State a Declaration of Domestic Partnership.  Forms are available  in  Human Resources, WA 615.

Tax Issues

By coordinating the three Internal Revenue Code Sections [ (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)]  under the CSU Fee Waiver Reduction Program, the following tax-free or taxable benefits are available to CSU employees and their eligible dependent.

Eligible Participant                                                               Course Level(s)                  Tax Status