PERSONNEL
60.70
Revised 5-07
Registrar
335-5346
Human Resource Services
335-4521
PDF link
OVERVIEW
An eligible individual who enrolls in WSU academic courses during fall or spring semesters may request a waiver of tuition fees. (RCW 28B.15.558) (See below for exceptions.) This program is based on availability of space and facilities. A limited number of additional students are accepted if the class can be taught without incurring additional costs. Regular fee-paying students are seated first.
WSU Employees
The following WSU employees are eligible for the fee waiver:
- Civil service employees holding half time or greater appointments and having permanent status by the tenth day of class for fall and spring semesters.
- Civil service employees on trial service appointments meeting the above criteria.
- Faculty and administrative professional employees holding half time or greater appointments.
- Employees covered by collective bargaining unit agreements are eligible on the same basis as civil service employees unless otherwise defined by the terms of the applicable bargaining unit contracts.
Others
The following individuals are eligible for the fee waiver on a space available basis.
- ROTC faculty and staff employed at WSU locations who meet the WSU employee eligibility requirements above.
- Employees of other state of Washington agencies or higher education institutions meeting the WSU employee eligibility requirements above.
Ineligible Individuals
The following are not eligible for the fee waiver:
- Individuals who are not employed by Washington State University other than those listed above under "Eligible Individuals."
- WSU adjunct appointment holders with no employee/employer relationship with WSU.
- Retired employees. (Such individuals may be eligible for the Senior Citizen Fee Waiver program. Contact the Registrar's Office for more information.)
- Hourly employees.
- Students, including assistants, associates, or others holding positions with student status.
- Probationary civil service and collective bargaining unit employees who do not complete probation prior to the deadlines indicated above under "Eligibility."
- An employee whose employment was terminated prior to the first day of class.
Number of Hours
Eligible individuals may enroll for up to six semester hours each fall and spring semester. Hours may be in any combination of credit and audit hours. Individuals enrolling for more than these hour limits are not eligible for the tuition fee waiver program.
Fees
WSU charges each eligible individual a nonrefundable $5 administrative fee plus any special course fees, laboratory fees, late registration charges, or late fee payment charges.
IRI Not Accepted for $5 Fee
The $5 administrative fee cannot be paid with an Interdepartmental Requisition and Invoice (IRI).
Student Benefits
Individuals enrolled under the fee waiver program are not entitled to WSU student benefits. WSU student identification cards are not issued or validated.
The fee waiver may not be used for the following types of courses. (Costs for such courses are closely tied to the number of enrolled students or are related to delivery to distant locations.)
- Internships,
- Tutorials, private lessons, or practicums,
- Distance degree program courses,
- Self-sustaining courses,
- Flexible enrollment courses, including correspondence courses, and
- Independent study, including courses numbered 499, 600, 700, 702, and 800.
ENROLLMENT
Admission
Individuals must be admitted to WSU in order to receive University credit for course work. Any student who was not enrolled the previous two semesters must apply for admission. Contact the Graduate School or the Office of Admissions for admissions information.
NOTE: Individuals who seek to audit a course, but have not been admitted to WSU should contact the Office of the Registrar and refer below for audit enrollment procedures.
Tuition Fee Waiver Request
Complete and print the Tuition Fee Waiver Request form on 60.70.6-7 to request the tuition waiver and to initiate class registration.
Completion and Approval
Instructor's Approval
The employee obtains the instructor's signature when:
- Auditing a class.
- Entering a class after the fifth class day.
- Entering a class scheduled at a time that conflicts with another class in the employee's schedule.
The employee obtains the instructor's signature on or after the first day of instruction and not later than the second week of instruction.
WSU Vancouver
In certain circumstances, e.g., business courses at WSU Vancouver, the employee obtains an approval signature from the academic department, rather than the instructor, in order to attend the class. Contact the WSU Vancouver Office of Student Services for more information.
Department Chair's Approval
The employee obtains the academic department chair's approval when entering an impacted class on or after the first day of instruction. (NOTE: Impacted classes are high-demand classes that are normally filled by fee-paying students.)
Employee's Department/Unit Approval
Eligible WSU Employees
The head of the employee's employing department approves the enrollment by signing a completed Tuition Fee Waiver Request. Do not substitute a signature stamp for the signature.
The department head may deny the request if the essential duties of the position must be performed by the employee during class meeting times.
In addition, a department head may deny a request for any of the following reasons:
- Temporary shortage of personnel.
- Seasonal work commitments.
- Temporary work-related emergencies.
An employee may appeal a denial to the Director of Human Resource Services or designee.
State Employees
A state employee obtains approvals as indicated on the form.
Certification/Verification
Human Resource Services
A Human Resource Services (HRS) representative signs the form to certify the eligibility of each valid WSU employee request for a fee waiver under this program.
NOTE: HRS does not begin signing Tuition Fee Waiver Requests until one week prior to the start of the semester.
Registrar's Office
A Registrar's Office representative verifies the eligibility of each non-WSU state employee requesting the waiver.
Registration
The requestor must submit the Tuition Fee Waiver Request to the Registrar's Office when registering in order to be eligible for the fee waiver for the current term. An individual who registers as a regular fee-paying student cannot seek a tuition fee waiver under this program.
The Registrar's Office does not accept Tuition Fee Waiver Requests until the first day of instruction. This practice assures that fee-paying students are registered before students using space-available waivers. WSU employees are registered before other state employees.
PROCEDURES FOR AUDIT ENROLLMENT
Admission
Admission to WSU is not required to audit classes. If a student is enrolled for credit hours and audit hours, the student must be admitted to WSU.
Audit Registration
Audit registration occurs during the first four weeks of classes in the fall and spring.
Students changing from audit to credit must do so by the date specified in the WSU Schedule of Classes. To view class schedules go to:
Obtain a Tuition Fee Waiver Request at 60.70.6-7. Follow the instructions on 60.70.7.
OTHER FEE WAIVER PROGRAMS
The WSU Schedule of Classes and the WSU Catalog provide policies and procedures for other fee waiver programs. These publications are available at:
Fee Waiver as a State Employee
WSU employees may qualify for a fee waiver program at another state public institution of higher education. Contact the other institution for information.
Senior Citizens
Senior citizens who are residents of Washington and who are age 60 or over are eligible for a Senior Citizen fee waiver program. Senior citizens who are interested in enrolling at WSU should contact the Registrar's Office or refer to the WSU Schedule of Classes or RCW 28B.15.540. This fee waiver is available fall and spring semesters only.
See the PDF master form:
60.70.6-7: Tuition Fee Waiver
Request
Complete and/or print as needed