Fee Descriptions

Universitywide Fees

Universitywide fees are established by the Regents of the University of California and apply to students at all ten campuses in the system. These fees are the same at all UC campuses.

Tuition Stability

Beginning fall 2022, University of California (UC) Tuition, Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST), and the Student Services Fee for each incoming undergraduate class remains flat until the student graduates, for up to six years. For undergraduates who first enrolled in fall 2021 or earlier—including all current undergraduates—systemwide tuition and fees stay flat for the duration of their enrollment until the student graduates, for up to six years beginning fall 2021. This UC Tuition Stability Plan brings unprecedented fee predictability to help families manage their education costs. By minimizing unexpected increases in tuition and reducing uncertainty about the cost of their education, students and families can better calculate and plan for the costs of attending UCLA.

Also beginning fall 2022, Tuition and the Student Services Fee for new and continuing graduate students are set annually but will rise no faster than inflation, essentially remaining flat in constant dollars.

See the UC Tuition Stability Plan for details.

Tuition

Tuition is used to help fund various academic and nonacademic programs as determined by the Office of the President. These programs include financial aid, instructional equipment, faculty salaries, operation and maintenance of plant, admissions, and registration. The Tuition amount is set by the Regents.

Nonresident Supplemental Tuition

Paid only by students who are not California residents. Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) levels are set by the Regents. Beginning with the first academic term following advancement to doctoral candidacy, Nonresident Supplemental Tuition is reduced by 100 percent for a maximum of three years including nonregistered time periods.

Student Services Fee

The Student Services Fee covers services that benefit the student and that are complementary to, but not part of, instructional programs. The fee supports operating and capital expenses for services related to the physical and psychological health and well-being of students, social and cultural activities and programs, services related to campus life and campus community, and educational and career support services. Income generated from this fee paid by UCLA students funds UCLA programs. The amount of the Student Services Fee is set by the Regents and is the same for all campuses in the UC system.

Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition

Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) is charged to students in the DDS, DEnv, DrPH, JD, MArch I, MD, MFA (Art), MFA (Film and Television, Theater), MPH (Public Health), MPP, MSN, MSW, and MURP programs. The PDST amount can be different for each professional school program and on each campus. Regents’ policy specifies that an amount equal to at least one-third of any new fee increase must be used for financial aid. The remainder is retained by the professional schools to maintain academic quality.

UC Student Association Fee and UC Graduate and Professional Council Fee

Beginning fall 2022, the UC Student Association (UCSA) Fee is charged to all undergraduate students; and the UC Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) Fee is charged to all graduate and professional students. These fees support systemwide student government efforts by UCSA and UCGPC for UC students. Both are nonmandatory, universitywide fees from which a student may elect to opt out for the duration of their degree program. To change an opt-in/opt-out selection, students can submit an online request from the first day a new term is active to the published deadline.

A student who opts out may opt in at a later point in their degree program.

Campus-Based Fees

Compulsory campus-based fees must be paid by all registered students to whom the fees apply.

Referenda Fees

Compulsory campus-based referenda fees may only be established, increased, or renewed following a referendum in which students vote in favor of the fee

Course Materials and Services Fees

Campus-based course materials and services fees are approved by the Chancellor and reported to the Office of the President. The Student Fee Advisory Committee advises the Chancellor on the allocation of campus-based student services fees and other fee issues

Other Campus-Based Fees

Other campus-based fees, such as the Registrar’s document fee, are approved at the campus level for specific services

Campus-Based Fee Policies

The Regents can impose fees for any University purpose; campus-based fees require Chancellor approval. Fee usage and application are regulated by established policies.

The Regents have authority to impose fees for any University purpose. All campus-based student fees must be approved by the Chancellor, except that no compulsory campus-based fee shall be effective until also approved either by the Regents or by the President under the President’s delegated authority, as appropriate. Compulsory campus-based fees must be paid by all registered students to whom the fee applies. Compulsory campus-based fees may only be established, increased, or renewed following a referendum in which students vote in favor of the compulsory fees, except as provided in section 83.00 of Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students.

Return-to-Aid

Any compulsory campus-based student fee approved as either a new fee or an increase to an existing fee shall provide for fee revenue for local need-based financial aid (return-to-aid) to be set aside in an amount equal to at least 25 percent of the total new fee or fee increase as appropriate. The return-to-aid generated by undergraduate students shall be reserved for undergraduate student financial support and the return-to-aid generated by graduate and professional students shall be reserved for graduate and professional student financial support. See section 81.20 of Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students.

Course Materials Fees

Campus-based course materials fees are approved by the Chancellor and reported to the Office of the President. They cover the cost of providing course materials to be consumed, retained, or used by the student. Materials and supplies may include chemicals and other one-time use items, as well as reproduction costs for supplemental materials such as laboratory manuals and noncommercial computer software. The fees can also cover the costs associated with the use of University-owned tools, musical instruments, and other equipment; the cost of supplemental educational experiences such as off-campus field trips; the cost of film rentals, online electronic audio and visual course materials, and software that directly support the instructional activities of a course; and the cost of other materials or services necessary to provide a special supplemental educational experience of direct benefit to the student.