Guidelines

• If the unit/course limitation is exceeded, the employee must pay the difference in fees.
• 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.
• All classes must be taken for academic credit and meet normal academic standards. Classes may NOT be audited.
• Fee waiver applies to CSU state-supported (general fund) courses only, including state-supported courses that are offered through summer term. Courses in self-support (i.e., Extended Education) programs may not be taken through the CSU Fee Waiver program. In addition, fees for joint doctoral programs that are paid directly to the “partner” university cannot be waived under the CSU Fee Waiver Program.
• 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.
• 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 transferred. 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.
• 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. If enrolled at Sac State, complete the Fee Waiver application at time of registration for classes.
• Fee waiver submission deadlines are determined by each CSU campus. Contact the appropriate campus of attendance for specific requirements. For Sac State, Fee Waiver applications will not be accepted after Census Date of the applied semester.

Intercampus Enrollment

Eligible employee's dependents are not limited to using their fee waiver eligibility at the campus where the employee is employed but may take courses on a fee-waiver basis at any other CSU campus.

If you are a Dependent of another CSU employee attending Sacramento State, the eligible employee completes the required transfer of benefit paperwork at their own campus. When approved, documentation will be sent to Sacramento State Benefits Office. This transfer must be submitted for each term the dependent is attending Sacramento State.

Student Services (C99, MPP, and M98 dependents)

Except for instructional services, the university may reduce the level of student services provided to dependents enrolled in classes under the fee waiver program. For example, dependents are not entitled to use student health services, or obtain student status for University Union/WELL activities/membership.

Taxable Education Benefits

Under current IRS regulations, the dependent fee waiver benefit is not taxable for undergraduate dependent children or spouse coursework. The benefit is taxable for graduate dependent children, spouse, and undergraduate and graduate domestic partner coursework. This taxation is applied to the employee who transfers the benefit and occurs via withdrawal on their check warrant.

In-State Residency Requirements

Spouses, dependent children, or domestic partners, who do not meet established in-state residency requirements must pay non-resident tuition.

How to Get Started

The following provides guidance on the interactive process as well as your responsibilities:

Apply to CSU. Your dependent will need to apply to and be admitted to a CSU campus before applying for the fee waiver program. You can apply to the California State University online at Cal State Apply. Once the online application is completed, pay the application fee, and save a copy of the payment receipt.

Complete the Fee Waiver Application form. Access the Application through Optimize. A Job Aid is available to assist employees. Fee Waiver applications should be submitted at the time of your dependent's registration window. If enrolled at a different CSU campus, contact the campus of attendance for their Fee Waiver Application deadline. You will be notified of your Fee Waiver status within approximately 10 business days of your submission of a completed application.

If taxable, you will be notified about your taxable amount shortly after the Census date. The additional taxes will be applied to your paycheck in the following pay period. Review the taxability information and be prepared for the additional taxation.

Should you have additional questions, you may contact the Benefits Office at feewaiver@csus.edu.