Original Issuance Date: February 1, 1993
Last Revision Date: November 13, 2023
1. Policy Purpose
This policy outlines statutory, Board of Regents, and administrative policy provisions with respect to the parameters for establishing and authority for approving tuition and fees.
2. Responsible UW System Officer
Vice President for Finance and Administration
3. Scope
This policy applies to the assessment of tuition and fees at all UW System institutions.
4. Background
Academic student fees and tuition for credit instruction are set by the Board of Regents, except that the Board of Regents has delegated to the President the authority to approve special service-based pricing for some programs, and UW System institutions are authorized to establish pricing for distance education and certain other programs on a cost recovery basis as described below. Separate per-credit fee levels are established by student level and resident status and, in some cases, by program. The tuition and fee structure adopted by the Board of Regents typically includes a credit plateau within which there is no charge for additional credits. In accordance with Regent policy, the Board of Regents may approve a per credit fee structure that does not include a credit plateau, if requested by a UW institution.
5. Definitions
Fee remission: Tuition revenue foregone as the result of a fee waiver granted to an individual student. For purposes of this policy, the term “fee remission” does not apply to situations where a waiver is granted to the student because the tuition is being paid by a third party.
Non-traditional student: Non-traditional students include students at the graduate/professional level age 30 and older, undergraduate students aged 25 and older at the doctoral and comprehensive universities, and undergraduates age 22 and older at a branch campus.
Student: Anyone who has ever been admitted to or enrolled at a UW System institution, whether or not the person ever attended or is currently enrolled.
Tuition: Includes both academic student fees and nonresident tuition, if applicable. In the State of Wisconsin statutes, the term “academic student fees” generally applies to resident instructional fees paid by all students.
6. Policy Statement
All students attending UW System institutions are required to pay tuition unless exempt through a fee remission or under the senior audit policy. Tuition is to be assessed at the Regent approved rates in all cases, except where the Board has delegated tuition setting authority to the President or to chancellors. Specific policy provisions are outlined as follows:
- Subsection A – Fee assessment issues
- A.I. Resident vs. Nonresident
- A.II. Graduate vs. Undergraduate
- A.III. Zero credit courses
- A.IV. Excess credits surcharge (UW-Madison)
- A.V. Special Instructional Fees
- A. VI. Program-Specific Tuition
- A.VII. Service-Based Pricing
- A.VIII. Distance Education Fees
- A.IX. Remedial Course Fees
- A.X. Inter-term Sessions
- A.XI. Special Students
- A.XII. Dissertators
- A.XIII. Correctional Institutions
- A.XIV. Audit Policy
- A.XV. UW Extended Campus Credit Programs
- A.XVI. UW Extended Campus Independent Learning
- A.XVII. Extended Degree Program
- A.XVIII. Application Fees
- A.XIX. Admission Deposits
- A.XX. Late Registration Fees
- A.XXI. Post Secondary Enrollment Options
- A.XXII. Advance Registration Fees
- A.XXIII. Student Segregated Fees
- A.XXIV. Continuing Education Credit Instruction for Teachers
- Subsection B – Fee Waivers and Remissions
- B.I. Resident Tuition Remission and Fee Waiver Programs
- B.II. Nonresident Tuition Remission, Reciprocity, and Interstate Programs
- B.III. Application Fee Waivers
- Subsection C – Payment and Refund Policy
- C.I. Payment in Full
- C.II. Partial Payment Plans
- C.III. Electronic Payment of Fees
- C.IV. Refunds/Withdrawals/Drops
- C.V. Transcript Holds for Non-Payment of Fees
- C.VI. Checks returned due to Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF)
Exceptions to any of the stated provisions due to extraordinary circumstances can be made only by the chancellor or the chancellor’s designee(s). Any delegation of authority should be in writing and maintained in the designees’ offices. Documentation justifying exceptions should be maintained. Blanket exceptions are not authorized.
A. FEE ASSESSMENT ISSUES
This section establishes UW System policy for determining student level and resident status, the criteria and process for setting service-based pricing and addresses a number of specialized fee assessment issues.
A.I. RESIDENT VS. NONRESIDENT
The assessment of resident versus nonresident tuition is based upon Wis. Stat. § 36.27(2). Nonresidents under the statutes shall pay the nonresident rate, with the exception of residents of the state of Minnesota who are certified to pay the Minnesota reciprocity tuition rate and residents of Menominee County, Michigan, enrolled at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Marinette Campus. There are reciprocal agreements for residents of Iron County, Wisconsin, enrolled at Gogebic Community College, and residents of Marinette County, Wisconsin, enrolled at Bay de Noc Community College.
The UW System has also created additional non-resident rates that are available at certain UW System institutions including Return to Wisconsin, the Midwest Student Exchange Program, the Midwest Tuition rate, and the UW-Platteville Tuition Advantage Program. The Board of Regents annually approves these rates for the Return to Wisconsin, the Midwest Student Exchange Program, the Midwest Tuition rate, and the UW-Platteville Tuition Advantage Program.
A.II. GRADUATE VS. UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
The assessment of undergraduate tuition versus graduate tuition should be based upon the level of enrollment, i.e., a student enrolled as a graduate student taking some undergraduate courses shall be assessed graduate level fees for all credits.
Conversely, an undergraduate student taking a graduate level course shall be assessed undergraduate level fees for all credits, as long as the graduate level course is not later used toward a graduate degree. If these graduate courses are later used toward a graduate degree, the student may be assessed the fee differential at that time. At its option, an institution may elect to assess tuition based upon the level of credit for which the student is enrolled.
A.III. ZERO CREDIT COURSES
Non-remedial courses offered for zero credits shall be treated for fee purposes as if they carry one credit. Exceptions to this provision may be made by the chancellor. This excludes noncredit workshops and seminars.
A.IV. EXCESS CREDITS SURCHARGE (UW-Madison)
All UW-Madison resident undergraduate students who have accumulated 165 credits (or 30 credits more than required by their degree programs, whichever is greater) will be assessed a surcharge, equal to 100 percent of the regular resident tuition, on credits beyond that level.
A.V. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL FEES
Special instructional fees are additional fees approved by the Board of Regents. These fees shall be assessed on a per-credit basis until full-time status has been achieved. Full-time status is defined as eight graduate credits at Doctoral institutions, nine graduate credits at Comprehensive institutions, and 12 credits for all undergraduate special fees. Refunds should follow the normal refund policy and schedule.
Minnesota reciprocity students shall pay the Minnesota Reciprocity fee when the Minnesota Reciprocity fee exceeds the resident rate including the special fee. If the resident tuition including the special fee exceeds the Minnesota Reciprocity fee, then the per-credit instructional fees shall be assessed to Minnesota Residents in a manner that results in the Minnesota student paying the same total fee as Wisconsin Residents.
A.VI. Program-Specific TUITION
UW institutions may request program-specific tuition rates for high-cost and/or high-demand programs when base tuition and state general purpose revenue are believed to be insufficient to maintain a program’s quality and access. Such requests must be submitted to the Vice President for Finance and Administration on a form developed by the Office of Finance.
The Board of Regents must approve any program-specific tuition rates for high-cost or high-demand programs.
A.VII. SERVICE-BASED PRICING
The Board of Regents has delegated authority to the President of the UW System to approve service-based pricing for graduate or non-traditional programs that are designed primarily for adults, provided specified criteria are met. See Service-Based Pricing Guidelines.
A.VIII. DISTANCE EDUCATION FEES
The Board of Regents has delegated authority to the UW System institutions to set distance education fees using a common methodology. UW System Administration will report annually to the Board of Regents on distance education pricing activities. See Appendix C of UW System Administrative Policy 130, Programming for the Non-Traditional Market in the UW System, for principles for pricing distance education credit courses, degree and certification programs.
A.IX. REMEDIAL COURSE FEES
In accordance with Regent Policy Document 4-8, Developmental Education, remedial education courses shall be offered on a fee recovery basis. Remedial education shall be operated out of Fund 136. If a student is taking both remedial and regular credits, Fund 131 and Fund 136 shall share proportionately in the fee revenue based upon the number of credits (pro rata basis). A part-time student will pay the remedial rate times the number of remedial credits plus the per credit rate times the number of regular credits. The maximum charge for a student taking both remedial and regular credits is the full-time rate up to the plateau. Segregated fees shall be assessed on a per credit basis, including remedial credits if a student is less than full-time. In accordance with Regent Policy Document 4-8, each institution shall determine the appropriate credit load for its remedial education students.
A.X. INTER-TERM SESSIONS
Inter-term sessions between the fall and spring semesters and between the spring and summer semesters will be treated as separate sessions for tuition and fee assessment. The normal tuition and segregated fee schedule shall apply. Credits taken during these sessions shall not be combined with an academic semester to determine a student’s full-time status. Note: This provision may apply to the academic calendar offered by UW-Oshkosh at the discretion of the Chancellor.
A.XI. SPECIAL STUDENTS
Special students are defined to be non-degree-seeking students. Special students shall be assessed tuition and segregated fees according to the primary level of course work for which they are enrolled. Because of the diverse nature of “special students” in the UW System, institutional discretion should be exercised in determining the appropriate student level for assessment of tuition and segregated fees consistent with the general policy.
A.XII. DISSERTATORS
Ph.D. candidates who have completed the residency course credit and minor requirements and passed the preliminary examination must maintain continuous academic year registration by paying a three-credit dissertator fee each semester. If a doctoral candidate does not maintain continuous enrollment (three graduate credits per semester), the candidate is assessed a completion fee equal to twelve times the current per-credit dissertator rate. This fee is assessed at the time of dissertation submission. The completion fee is based on the resident and nonresident status that the candidate had at the last term of enrollment. If the candidate breaks enrollment and then reenters, enrolling for less than four continuous terms (12 credits) before completion, the candidate must pay the fee minus all continuous credits paid since the time of reentry. If enrollment is broken, but the candidate reenters and enrolls for at least four continuous semesters (three graduate credits per semester), a completion fee is not assessed. This applies to UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee only.
A.XIII. CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Individuals incarcerated in correctional institutions of, or in, the State of Wisconsin or those on parole or probation who are enrolled in credit courses shall be assessed resident tuition, the appropriate segregated fee for services available, and a special course fee to recover additional costs of instruction.
Individuals incarcerated in federal correctional institutions or parolees shall be assessed all applicable tuition and segregated fees. Nonresident tuition remissions may be granted where financial need is demonstrated.
A.XIV. AUDIT POLICY
In accordance with Regent Policy Document 4-10, Class Audit Policy, the academic fee charge for individuals who register for only noncredit, audit-type attendance of credit classes shall be:
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Wisconsin Residents under age 60 |
30% of the normal per credit academic fee |
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Wisconsin Residents age 60 or older (as of first day of classes) |
Normal per credit academic fee waived |
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Minnesota Reciprocity |
30% of the normal per credit Minnesota Reciprocity fee |
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Nonresidents |
50% of the normal per credit academic fee |
Audit fees shall not be charged to any disabled Wisconsin resident who is receiving disability insurance benefits under either the federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. However, all auditors, including disabled Wisconsin residents and those age 60 or older, shall be assessed any special cost-based course fees that are separately itemized (i.e., not included in academic student fees) and charged to other course participants.
Each institution may determine whether to extend the option to auditors to pay or not pay segregated fees (depending on whether the individual wants access to segregated fee funded services). If segregated fees are not paid, access for individuals who are auditors-only is limited to the library and non-segregated fee funded activities of the student union. No additional fee shall be charged for such access.
Students shall pay the normal per-credit tuition for audit credits until the degree and audit credits equal the plateau where academic fees are level, except that no academic fee shall be assessed Wisconsin residents age 60 or older for audit-only credits. When the combination of degree and audit credits exceeds the full-time fee credit plateau, additional fees shall be assessed, except that no academic fee shall be assessed Wisconsin residents age 60 or older for audit-only credits.
Chancellors may waive the nonresident portion of the per-credit charge for nonresidents.
A.XV. UW EXTENDED CAMPUS CREDIT PROGRAMS
Credits for courses taken through any campus and sponsored by UW Extended Campus, which have been approved as part of the student’s degree program, shall be combined with the campus credits when determining tuition and segregated fee assessments. The tuition and fee schedule to be used when assessing UW Extended Campus fees for degree credit instruction shall be the same as those applicable to the campus. UW Extended Campus fees shall be prorated based upon the number of credits when a student is taking a combination of UW Extended Campus and campus courses.
A.XVI. UW EXTENDED CAMPUS INDEPENDENT LEARNING
Institutions must reimburse UW Extended Campus for the Independent Learning of full-time students on a pro rata basis, based upon the number of credits taken. Part-time students shall pay UW Extended Campus and the campus separately.
A.XVII. EXTENDED DEGREE PROGRAM
An annual contract under the Extended Degree Program (offered at UW-Green Bay, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, and UW-Superior) is considered a separate academic term. An Extended Degree student who enrolls for more than 18 credits shall be assessed the per credit fee for all credits beyond 18. An Extended Degree student who registers for campus credits in addition to those contracted through Extended Degree is to be assessed fees for those campus credits based upon the approved academic fee schedule.
A.XVIII. APPLICATION FEES
Under Wis. Stat. § 36.11(3)(d), each institution must assess a uniform application fee for each of the following group of applicants. Institutions must receive approval from the Board of Regents in order to change application fees for these groups of applicants.
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- Undergraduate applicants
- Graduate school applicants
- Law school applicants
- Medical school applicants
See B.III Application Fee Waivers.
A.XIX. ADMISSION DEPOSITS
An admission deposit, which is refundable until May 1 for admission in the fall semester and November 15 for admission in the spring semester, may be assessed to all applicants that have been accepted for admission. This deposit shall not exceed $200 for undergraduate admission nor $500 for graduate/professional programs at institutions that assess an admissions deposit. The deposit is not required to file an application but would be required to confirm an accepted application. The deposit shall be applied to the fees for the semester of admission.
If the applicant fails to attend the institution and does not request a refund of the deposit by the stated deadlines, 50% of the admission deposit will be deposited to Fund 128. The remainder will be retained in the Academic Fee Appropriation (Fund 131).
A.XX. LATE REGISTRATION FEES
At the institution’s option, a late registration fee not to exceed $50.00 may be assessed. Late registration is defined by the institution. Late registration fees shall be deposited to Fund 128.
A.XXI. POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS
In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 118.55, high school students enrolled in an Early College Credit Program (ECCP) course at UW System institutions for high school credit, college credit, or both shall have their costs shared among the UW System institution, the school district or private school, and the state. In the event the student is solely taking courses for college credit, the student’s family may also be charged.
A UW System institution may charge a third of the per credit amount of resident undergraduate tuition and UW branch institutions may charge half the per credit amount of resident undergraduate tuition to students of ECCP. The charging of additional fees is not allowable. See UW System Administrative Policy 185 (SYS 185), Awarding of UW System Credit in Wisconsin Schools, related to the offering of college credit courses in Wisconsin high schools by university-authorized high school faculty.
A.XXII. ADVANCE REGISTRATION FEES
Institutions which require an advanced registration fee shall comply with subsection C.IV of this policy when determining the refundable portion of the advanced registration fee due a student that does not complete the registration process or withdraws after registering.
A.XXIII. STUDENT SEGREGATED FEES
Segregated fees may be waived for students enrolled exclusively in courses held off campus. See UW System Administrative Policy 820 (SYS 820), Segregated University Fees, for other policy provisions related to segregated university fees.
A.XXIV. CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT INSTRUCTION FOR TEACHERS
This provision applies to continuing education credit instruction for teachers at a school district or Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) location. In these cases, teachers enrolled in the course(s) will be assessed the resident tuition rate of the participating UW System institution, minus the value of the facilities and other related services provided by the school district or CESA. The net tuition retained by the UW System institution must be at least 50% of the gross tuition charge. Institutions should maintain records of how the net tuition was calculated.
B. FEE WAIVERS AND REMISSIONS
All students attending the University of Wisconsin System are required to pay tuition unless exempt through one of the fee remission programs described in this policy. Fees waived under the programs described below represent revenue foregone, which is typically recovered through generalized fee increases. Note that this policy places no restrictions on fee waivers granted where the tuition payment or application fee is made by a third party rather than by the student directly.
B.I. RESIDENT TUITION REMISSION AND FEE WAIVER PROGRAMS
Except as provided by statute, only the nonresident tuition and special course fees may be waived as a fee remission. Academic student fees (i.e., the resident portion of tuition) may or must be waived under the following programs:
Academic Excellence Scholarships – Under Wis. Stat. § 39.41, the amount of the Academic Excellence Scholarship is limited to $2,250 per recipient per academic year, of which the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) is responsible for half and the UW institution is responsible for half. Students are responsible for tuition and fees in excess of $2,250 but are eligible for other forms of financial assistance for which they qualify based on criteria other than their being an Academic Excellence Scholar recipient. For ease of administration, each institution will waive academic fees for each eligible Academic Excellence Scholar to a maximum of $2,250 per academic year. Each institution shall deposit the funds paid by HEAB and an institutional cash match equal to the amount expended for the Academic Excellence program in 1991-92 into Fund 131.
Athletic Scholarships – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(f), both resident and nonresident tuition fee remissions may be granted as athletic scholarships up to the maximum number allowed by the appropriate athletic conference.
Children and Surviving Spouses of Certain Public Service Workers – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3m), full remission of resident undergraduate tuition shall be granted to the surviving spouse or child of an ambulance driver, correctional officer, firefighter, emergency medical services technician, or law enforcement officer who was killed in the line of duty in this state.
Funeral Assistants – Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3r), provides that a $25 remission of nonresident tuition or academic fees shall be granted to any student enrolled in the system as an undergraduate for each valid voucher issued to the student under Wis. Stat. § 45.60(3).
Graduate Assistants – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(g), both resident and nonresident tuition remissions shall be granted, in whole or part, to graduate students who are fellows or who are employed within the System as faculty, instructional academic staff, or assistants with an appointment equal to at least 33% of a full-time equivalent position. Under Regent Policy Document 32-1, Tuition Policy, the board delegated authority to establish remissions for graduate assistants with an appointment equal to at least 33% of a full time equivalent to chancellors.
Music Clinic – Under a program initially established by the Board of Regents in June 1973, resident tuition may be waived for up to ten new music students each year at UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.
Spouse, surviving spouse, and children of certain veterans – Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3n), requires that academic student fees and segregated fees be waived for the spouse, surviving spouse, and the children of certain deceased and disabled veterans who were residents of the state at the time of their entry into the U.S. armed forces. See the UW System’s Wisconsin G.I. Bill Frequently Asked Questions for information regarding this program.
Veterans – Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3p), requires that academic student fees and segregated fees be waived for certain veterans. See the UW System’s Wisconsin G.I. Bill Frequently Asked Questions for information regarding this program. In determining veteran status for purposes of this waiver, Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3p)(a)(1r), establishes what criteria must be met.
B.II. NONRESIDENT TUITION REMISSION, RECIPROCITY, AND INTERSTATE PROGRAMS
The following nonresident remission programs are established under various State of Wisconsin statutes and federal mandates.
Armed Forces Personnel – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(2)(b), nonresident members of the armed forces and persons engaged in alternative service who are stationed in this state on active duty, and their spouses and children, are entitled to an exemption from nonresident tuition.
Athletic Scholarships – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(f), the board may, as athletic scholarships, grant full remission of nonresident tuition and resident fees, up to the maximum number allowed by the appropriate athletic conference as recommended by the chancellor of each university.
Deserving of Relief – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(b), remissions of nonresident tuition may be granted to additional individual students who are deserving of relief from the assessment of nonresident tuition.
Funeral Assistants – Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3r) provides that a $25 remission of nonresident tuition or academic fees shall be granted to any student enrolled in the system as an undergraduate for each valid voucher issued to the student under Wis. Stat. §45.60(3).
Gifts and Contracts – Fee remissions for students whose fees are paid through a contract or gift from an outside funding source are allowable.
Graduate Assistants – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(g), the board may remit nonresident tuition (and resident academic student fees), in whole or part, to graduate students who are fellows or who are employed within the System as faculty, instructional academic staff, or assistants with an appointment equal to at least 33% of a full-time equivalent position. Under Regent Policy Document 32-1, Tuition Policy, the board delegated authority to establish remissions for graduate assistants with an appointment equal to at least 33% of a full time equivalent to chancellors.
Interstate Compacts – Residents of Menominee County, Michigan enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Marinette County are exempt from nonresident tuition. There are reciprocal agreements for residents of Iron County, Wisconsin enrolled at Gogebic Community College and residents of Marinette County, Wisconsin enrolled at Bay de Noc Community College.
The UW System has also created additional non-resident rates that are available at certain UW System institutions including Return to Wisconsin, the Midwest Student Exchange Program, the Midwest Tuition rate and the UW-Platteville Tuition Advantage Program. The Board of Regents annually approves these rates for the Return to Wisconsin, the Midwest Student Exchange Program, the Midwest Tuition rate, and the UW-Platteville Tuition Advantage Program.
Merit – Under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(a), remissions of nonresident tuition may be granted upon the basis of merit, to be shown by suitable tests, examinations, or scholastic records and continued high standards of scholastic attainment.
Minnesota Reciprocity – Under Wis. Stat. § 39.47, the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) negotiates a reciprocity agreement with the State of Minnesota. Minnesota students attending a UW System institution are charged the higher of the UW institution resident tuition rate or the University of Minnesota equivalent institution resident tuition rate. The comparable institution is determined by the reciprocity agreement negotiated by HEAB. If the Minnesota resident tuition rate is higher than the Wisconsin resident tuition rate, the amount by which this exceeds the applicable tuition for Wisconsin residents is to be recorded in Fund 100 as GPR earned.
Nonresident Veterans and Family Members – Under the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Pub. L. No. 113-146).27(3r), nonresident U.S. veterans and other eligible nonresident benefit recipients are charged the same tuition as Wisconsin residents pursuing the same course or program. The Act covers veterans and active-duty service members using VA education benefits and living in the state who enroll within three years of discharge from a period of active-duty service of 90 days or more. The Act also covers spouses and children living in the state who are using VA benefits transferred from a veteran or active-duty service members and who enroll within three years of the veteran’s discharge from a period of active duty of 90 days or more.
Tuition Award Program – Wis. Stat. § 36.27(4) provides for an exemption from nonresident tuition, but not incidental or other fees, for up to 300 students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside as juniors or seniors in programs identified by that institution as having surplus capacity, and up to 225 students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Superior in programs identified by the institution as having surplus capacity.
B.III. APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS
Transfer Students – Application fees must be waived for all students transferring from a UW branch campus or a UW university to another UW university within one calendar year.
Financial Need – Application fees may be waived at the discretion of each institution for any student if they meet any one of the following criteria:
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- They are a ward of the state or an orphan.
- They are enrolled in a TRIO programs such as Upward Bound.
- They have a high school counselor, principal, financial aid office, teacher, or community leader who can attest to their financial circumstance.
- They live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless.
- They qualify for an ACT or SAT Fee Waiver.
- They qualify for the Free & Reduced Price Lunch Program.
- Their family receives public assistance; or
- Their family’s income falls within Income Eligibility Guidelines set by USDA Food & Nutrition Services.
Unanimous Agreement – Application fees for any group of students may be waived for specific periods of time not to exceed one week in length for an individual institution so long as all Chancellors within the UW System unanimously agree on any such waiver period. Application fees for any group of students may be waived for specific periods of time not to exceed one week in length for all institutions collectively at the same time either by the President of the System or where all Chancellors within the UW System unanimously agree on any such waiver period and the President of the System agrees.
C. PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY
C.I. PAYMENT IN FULL
Total tuition and segregated fees are due on the date established by the institutions. However, the due date may not be later than the 20th business day after the start of the academic term except for students that receive tuition remission under Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3)(g). Students who receive such remissions may have their tuition and fee due date extended to no later than the first Friday in April for spring terms or the first Friday in December for fall terms.
Students may be assessed a late fee, not to exceed $100, if payment of tuition and fees currently due is made after the established due date. At the institution’s option, the late fee may be prorated for students less than full time. The late fee shall be deposited to Fund 128. The chancellor or designee has the option of reducing or waiving the fee on an individual or group basis.
Continued enrollment in, and attendance at, the university is contingent upon payment of all applicable tuition and fees under terms established and approved by the university. Each campus may exercise an option to conduct cancellation of registration or administrative withdrawal for nonpayment until the end of any session week within the refund period. Exceptions should be documented.
The institution has the authority to reregister students who have had their registration cancelled or who have been administratively withdrawn upon receipt of payment for tuition and segregated fees, late fees, and any reregistration or late registration penalty consistent with the policy of that institution and the UW System. Institutions may establish separate due dates for registration and payment of tuition and fees for students enrolled exclusively in an off-campus or late-starting credit course. Failure to pay tuition and fees or make satisfactory arrangements to pay within this period shall result in cancellation of registration or administrative withdrawal.
C.II. PARTIAL PAYMENT PLANS
Each UW System institution may make available a partial payment plan to all full-time and part-time students for the payment of tuition, segregated fees, room and board, and other institution-designated charges. Students with a demonstrated poor payment history may be denied access to the partial payment plan.
To qualify to pay fees under a partial payment plan, students must make an initial payment in an amount specified by the institution by the established due date. Students who enter into a partial payment plan after the established due date may be subject to the assessment of a late fee at the institution’s option. Students must also execute a credit agreement with the institution prior to entering a partial payment plan.
An institution that offers a partial payment plan shall apply charges in either of the following manners:
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- Interest at a rate between 1% and 1.5% per month shall be charged on a student’s ongoing credit balance for as long as the student is on the plan. Each agreement shall establish specific accrual dates for the imposition of applicable interest. Students on a partial payment plan such as this may be charged a late payment fee for failure to meet the payment deadlines.
- A finance charge of up to $200 or 2% of a student’s account balance, whichever is greater, is earned and may be charged to a student’s account at the time the agreement is entered into. An institution shall compute the finance charge with respect to the entire outstanding balance. An institution may assess the finance charge as a down payment or include the finance charge in installment payments provided for under the plan. Interest on past due amounts subject to a partial payment plan shall be assessed at a rate of between 1% and 1.5% per month, which an institution shall disclose in the terms of the agreement.
Each institution electing to make available a partial payment plan must file a procedural outline of its plan with UW System Administration. Such a plan can be implemented only after approval of the UW System Administration Vice President for Finance and Administration or designee. Any change to the approved plan must receive approval from the Vice President for Finance and Administration or designee before it can be implemented. Finance charges shall be deposited to Fund 128.
C.III. ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF FEES
All UW System institutions are encouraged to offer a web-based Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment option. Institutions may elect whether to accept credit cards for tuition or not. If credit cards are accepted, institutions may elect to charge a convenience fee within the limitations allowed by the credit card companies. The fee may be established at a level sufficient to cover costs but not to generate excess revenue.
C.IV. REFUNDS/WITHDRAWALS/DROPS
UW System institutions are responsible for complying with federal regulations governing participation in the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. To the extent that these regulations require a larger refund to federal funding sources than the amount specified by the refund policy stipulated below, the student shall be responsible for the difference.
For refund, withdrawal, drop/adds, and late payment purposes, the first session week is defined to end as of the close of regular business on Friday of the first full calendar week or, at the institution’s option, after five class days.
Up to the end of the second session week (as institutionally defined) or the end of the tenth day of class, refunds for any credit reduction shall be at 100% (less the optional withdrawal fee). During the third and fourth session week, the refund shall be reduced to 50%, and after the fourth session week, there shall be no refunds of tuition. At the institution’s option, a flat add/drop fee as approved by the Vice President for Finance and Administration may be assessed after the 100% refund period to cover administrative costs. The fee shall be deposited to Fund 128.
The burden of proof in determining the date of withdrawal/drop shall be on the student. The same refund schedule shall apply to both withdrawals and class drops. During the 100% refund period, a student who adds and drops credits of concurrently offered classes within the same session week shall be assessed additional fees or receive a refund based on the net result of those adds and drops. After the 100% refund period, students will be assessed for all adds and drops. If a part-time student only adds credits during the session week, the credits should be assessed at the full per-credit rate disregarding any previous refunds. Undergraduate students who take 12 through 18 credits and graduate students should not pay more than full-time student fees. Undergraduates who take more than 18 credits shall have the refund schedule applied to those credits which exceed the 18-credit plateau. Exceptions to this provision must have the prior approval of the Vice President for Finance and Administration or designee.
In instances where a student can document nonattendance at the institution after having enrolled in one or more courses, the student shall be assessed fees equal to 20% of the original fees due, reduced to residency rates, plus the late payment fee.
The refund policy may be adjusted for differences in starting dates and session lengths. Exceptions may be made, at the institution’s option, for changing sections within a course.
At the institution’s option, a withdrawal fee not to exceed $50.00 may be assessed during the first session week and up to $100 during the second session week. The withdrawal fee shall be deposited to Fund 128 and used to support the fee collection operations and defray the cost of processing withdrawals.
The following schedule applies:
Refund and Payment Schedules for Withdrawals or Drops
| Session Length | Refund Schedule for Withdrawals or Drops | ||||
| Week of Session | |||||
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Thereafter | |
| 12 weeks and over | 100% | 100% | 50% | 50% | None |
| 8 weeks thru 11 weeks | 100% | 50% | 25% | None | |
| 5 weeks thru 7 weeks | 100% | 50% | None | None | |
| 3 weeks thru 4 weeks | 100% | 25% | None | None | |
| 2 weeks | 100% | None | |||
In those cases where the academic year fee schedule does not properly apply, the schedule should be adjusted in consultation with the Vice President for Finance and Administration or designee.
Withdrawals for medical reasons beyond the 100% refund date will be processed according to UW System Administrative Policy 807 (SYS 807), Medical Withdrawal Policy.
C.V. TRANSCRIPT HOLDS FOR NON-PAYMENT OF FEES
An institution may refuse to issue a transcript (certified or not) to a student until the student has paid all accounts receivable. Institutions are encouraged to seek legal counsel with concerns related to the Wisconsin statute of limitations or bankruptcy proceedings.
C.VI. CHECKS RETURNED DUE TO NON-SUFFICIENT FUNDS (NSF)
Institutions may assess a NSF charge not to exceed the amount necessary to recover institutional costs, including those imposed by the bank. An institution may reserve the right to refuse payment by check to students with a history of NSF checks.
Payment by NSF check will be treated as nonpayment of tuition and fees, thereby allowing the institution to charge the late fee in addition to the NSF charge.
7. Related Documents
Wis. Stat. § 36.27, Tuition
Wis. Stat. § 36.11(3) (d), Application Fees
Wis. Stat. § 36.27(2), Nonresident Tuition Exceptions
Wis. Stat. § 36.27(3), Tuition Remissions
Wis. Stat. § 39.41(4), Academic Excellence Scholarships
Wis. Stat. § 39.47, Minnesota-Wisconsin Student Reciprocity Agreement
Wis. Stat. § 45.60(3), Tuition Voucher
Regent Policy Document 4-8, Developmental Education
Regent Policy Document 4-10, Class Audit Policy
Regent Policy Document 32-1, Tuition Policy
UW System Administrative Policy 130 (Formerly ACIS 5.4), Programming for the Non-traditional Market in the UW System
UW System Administrative Policy 185 (Formerly G36), Awarding of UW System Credit in Wisconsin Schools
UW System Administrative Policy 326 (Formerly F39), Collections and Write-offs
UW System Administrative Policy 344 (Formerly F22), Extramural Support for Instructional Programs
UW System Administrative Policy 807, Medical Withdrawal Policy
UW System Administrative Policy 810 (Formerly F45), Study Abroad & Study Away Programs
UW System Administrative Policy 820 (Formerly F50), Segregated University Fees
UW System Administrative Policy 825 (Formerly G29), Special Course Fees
Wisconsin G.I. Bill Frequently Asked Questions
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Pub. L. No. 113-146).27(3r),
UW System Administrative Policy 130 (Formerly ACIS 5.4), Programming for the Non-Traditional Market in the UW System, Appendix B: Service-Based Pricing Guidelines
8. Policy History
Revision 12: November 13, 2023
Revision 11: November 11, 2022
Revision 10: July 29, 2021
Revision 9: August 24, 2020
Revision 8: May 20, 2019
Revision 7: February 28, 2019
Revision 6: May 11, 2018
Revision 5: February 22, 2018
Revision 4: December 19, 2016
Revision 3: May 2008
Revision 2: January 17, 1996
Revision 1: January 25, 1994
First approved: February 1, 1993
9. Scheduled Review
November 2028