UC Berkeley Web Feature

UC Summer Session fees going up

5 April 2004

BERKELEY – The University of California is raising summer fees as a step in dealing with the budget deficit for the 2004-05 academic year. At Berkeley, an additional fee of $150 for undergraduates and $220 for graduate students will be assessed for all UC students attending the 2004 Summer Sessions. Visiting students are already paying higher fees in the summer, and are not subject to this increase.

Berkeley Summer Sessions regrets the hardship this may create for students. We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of accelerating progress toward your degree and broadening your academic experience through Summer Sessions is still an outstanding value. We have tried to anticipate your questions – please send any others to info@mail.summer.berkeley.edu, or visit the Summer Sessions Office at 22 Wheeler Hall.

Q. Why do I have to pay this fee?
A. The UC system is increasing fees because of the state budget crisis.

Q. What happens if the final increase is higher than expected?
A. Summer 2004 fees will not increase again, regardless of the amount of the final increase for 2004-05.

Q. What happens if the final increase is lower than expected?
A. If the increase is lower, the difference between this increase and the approved rate will be reflected as a credit adjustment to your CARS account. Students who end their Berkeley career with the summer term, and who have a final credit balance in CARS, will receive a refund.

Q. Why are the fees going up now?
A. We are increasing fees now in order to provide you with time to consider your summer plans. The Berkeley campus is anticipating a fee increase for summer and the next academic year at either the May or July Regents’ meeting. Last year, the Regents increased fees just days before the start of summer classes. We heard from many students who told us how disruptive and unsettling such a last-minute change was for them. To avoid that situation this year, we decided to increase fees now according to our best estimate of what may finally occur – 15 percent for undergraduates, and 20 percent for graduates.

Q. Does this mean fall and spring fees will go up by the same percentages?
A. This is our best estimate based on what is known on campus at this time. No one knows what will happen between now and July, or what the final percentage increases for the academic year fees will actually be.

Q. Will every UC campus raise fees this summer?
A. All UC summer programs must fund the fee increase. Some UC campuses will charge a higher rate, and others will absorb the increased cost and continue to charge the 2003-04 rate.

Q. Why do Berkeley’s fees appear to be higher than other UC campuses?
A. Our fees are higher because some UC campuses are able to absorb the increase and continue to charge the 2003-04 rate. Unfortunately, this is not possible at Berkeley as the projected increase would create too large a deficit if the campus were to absorb it. Also, Berkeley’s fees are based on the semester system, and are calculated differently than quarter system fees – one semester unit is equivalent to one and one-half quarter units.

Q. I’m on financial aid – is this increase covered?
A. Students who receive a summer fee grant from the Financial Aid Office will automatically have their grant adjusted to cover this increase.

Q. I’m a grad student, and my summer course is covered by a fellowship or grant – is this increase covered?
A. All students who receive a fellowship award from the Graduate Division for a summer course will have their summer fee increase covered. In these cases, no contact with the Graduate Division is necessary. If your award is not from the Graduate Division (or if you do not know the source of your award), you need to contact your department.

Q. How were the amounts for the fee increase determined?
A. The fee increase was calculated based on the average numbers of units that students take during the summer and the anticipated fee increases for the 2004-05 academic year.

Q. Why is the grad rate higher than the undergrad rate?
A. By Regental policy, summer fees must be based on academic year fees. Grad fees are slightly higher in the academic year. And, when we calculate the unit rate for summer, we divide the academic year grad rate by twelve (full time for grad students) and the academic year undergrad rate by fifteen (full time for undergrads).

Q. When will I have to make this payment?
A. The UC Fee Increase will appear on your CARS bill in late April, and payment is due by May 15.

Q. If I cancel my enrollment because of this increase, will I receive a full refund?
A. Yes. If you cancel or withdraw by Friday, April 16, and send an e-mail request for a full refund stating the UC Fee Increase as your reason, you will receive all your money back, including the $106 that is normally not refunded. Send your request to info@mail.summer.berkeley.edu.