CSU Trustees OK Proposed Fee Increase

The California State University Board of Trustees, during their Oct. 26-27 meeting, approved a proposed 2006-07 budget request that, if funded by the state, would mean an increase of $235.5 million for the system and its 23 campuses.

Based on revenue and expenditure assumptions in line with the second year of the Compact for Higher Education, the CSU projects a 3 percent increase in the state General Fund appropriation with a supported enrollment increase of 2.5 percent, or 10,000 students. It also would provide for a 3 percent increase in the compensation pool.

The budget request also proposed to increase the state university fee for undergraduate and credential students by 8 percent and graduate students by 10 percent. A third of the new fee revenue will be set aside for financial aid grants.

During its Nov. 8-9 meeting, the CSU's Board of Trustees will hear an annual report on campus student fees. This mandated report allows trustees to consider the level and range of fees charged to CSU students. The report, which considers historical trends, also presents fee levels at comparable public universities across the nation. In 2005-06, average campus-based fees increased $62, or 10.7 percent, to $644 over the prior year.

Nationwide, the CSU remains the least costly university among its comparable institutions, even with the proposed fee increases.

Q. What is the State University Fee?
A. No tuition is charged to California residents enrolled in the regular program, but residents are required to pay fees. Per legislation that became effective in 1989, mandatory unit fees differ for undergraduate and graduate students. Nonresident and international students pay basic fees required of California residents plus tuition of $339 per unit per semester. Tuition and fees, which vary according to type of offering, are charged to students enrolled in fall, spring and summer extension courses and intersession.

Q. What do Cal State Fullerton students currently pay?
A. For fall 2005, all students paid - in addition to the State University Fee - the following charges:

To find out what is paid by these fees, see the catalog.

Q. What is the current State University Fee for Cal State Fullerton students?
A. Per semester, undergraduate students pay a State University Fee of $732 for 0-6 units; $1,260 for 7 or more units; while credential students are charged $849 for 0-6 units; $1,461 for 7 or more units. Graduate students are assessed $900 for 0-6 units and $1,551 for 7 or more units.

Q. What is the proposed fees effective fall 2006
A. If approved along with the proposed state budget, all campuses, except CSU Stanislaus, would charge: