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Special & segregated fees

A page within Cashier's Office

The term “Segregated University Fee(s)” describes charges in addition to instructional fees that are assessed to all students for services, programs, and facilities that support the primary mission of the university.

View The Budget Planning Page for additional Information and Current Rates

If you have additional questions regarding segregated fees, please call University Centers at 608.785.8888.

Why do I pay for these fees if I don’t use what they fund?

Segregated fee funding is designed to provide funds for recreational, cultural, and leisure activities and groups that are not funded through other state appropriations. Segregated fees are not designed to be user fees, but are intended to contribute to the richness of the university community. Because segregated fees are not intended to be user fees, they function more like a tax. Students do have some control over where these fees are distributed.

How is it decided where the segregated fees are distributed?

Segregated fees are allocated to groups using the Student Senate committee structure. The SUFAC (Segregated University Fee Advisory Committee) develops the allocable segregated fee budget and reviews the non-allocable segregated fee budget and then Student Senate finalizes the approval.

2025-26 Seg Fee Rate Schedule

Current list and request form

The request form should be utilized to propose a new fee, modify an existing fee or eliminate a fee. Forms need to be submitted to the Budget Office (245 Graff Main Hall) prior to February 15th for the upcoming academic year. Requests must be submitted for all terms for that year. All indicated approvals must be obtained before a special course fee will be implemented. A separate request must be made for each unrelated activity within a course.

Special course fees must follow UW System policy, Special Course Fees (SYS 825) and the UWL Special Course Fee Policy, also noted below.

Special course fee policy

Special Course Fees are fees that may be charged to certain students for certain instructional costs beyond those covered by student tuition. Some principles and policies follow:

  • Special course fees may only be used for the specified, approved purpose described in the Special Course Fee Request.
  • All students in a course who are charged a special course fee should have a reasonable opportunity to benefit equally from the fee. One student's special course fee contribution should not be used to subsidize or supplement another student's activities.
  • Departments may not use special course fees as a substitute for obtaining regular budget support for the course.
  • Students will be billed for approved special course fees through the UWL billing system. It is prohibited to collect these fees in classrooms or directly from students.
  • Special course fee accounts should not accumulate cash balances over time. Any such accumulations would indicate that the fee being charged is too high and needs to be adjusted downward.

Special course fees are allowable for:

  • Private lessons in vocal or instrumental music to all non-music major students enrolled for private lessons. This fee may also be assessed to music majors who elect to take additional lessons beyond the major degree requirements.
  • Materials that result in a tangible product that is retained by the student in a credit course.
  • Transportation and admission costs incurred on field trips required in credit course instruction.
  • Supplementary texts and resource materials not available through Textbook Rental or the University Bookstore.
  • A refundable deposit to ensure the return in reasonable condition of UWL equipment and supplies temporarily assigned to a student.

Special course fees are required when:

  • A student exercises an option to participate beyond the minimum requirements of a course and it results in additional costs to the institution.
  • A student consumes the standard resources provided to all students to complete course requirements and requires additional resources to complete the requirements or upgrades the materials used to complete the requirements.

Special course fees may not be charged for:

  • The normal level of breakage or consumption of materials purchased by the University for direct use by students in activities that are integral to credit course instruction.
  • Equipment (and maintenance) used for instructional purposes.
  • Supplies and materials that could reasonably be expected to be covered in a regular instructional budget.
  • Health and/or safety equipment required in carrying out course activities.
  • Typical duplicated instructional handout materials.
  • Computer and other laboratory equipment usage, primary software, computer maintenance and related supplies or any other expense covered by the Student Technology Fee.
  • Salaries or wages for any UWL employee.
  • Honoraria.

The following are considered to be personal expenses for students and would not involve a special course fee:

  • Food, lodging and incidentals on all required field trips.
  • Personal health, safety and dress requirements related to instruction.
  • Textbooks and course supplies from the Bookstore.
  • Note: A special course fee may be charged for food, lodging, and course materials if the intent is to facilitate payment, to save money, or to ensure standardization.
  • Transportation to sites for student teaching, clinical assignments and other types of practicum.

GQA and Differential Tuition

What is Differential Tuition? 
Students have agreed to fund some additional programs and services through the academic initiative program. These are programs that students felt strongly were needed to make UW-La Crosse a better campus to attend. The academic initiative program funds the Academic Advising Center, the Campus Climate Office, Multicultural recruiters, International travel experiences, and undergraduate research.

What is Growth Quality Access Differential Tuition?
UW-La Crosse has a time-honored record of enrolling, retaining and graduating talented individuals. The campus is uniquely positioned to be able to attract a larger and more able student body, thereby graduating even more students. For example, the number of applicants to UW-La Crosse has steadily increased to the point that more than two applications are received for every place available in the freshmen class. More impressively, the academic profile for incoming freshmen consistently ranks first amongst the UW System Comprehensives. In order to capitalize on its reputation for high quality programs and market position, UW-La Crosse promotes Growth, Quality, and Access with the goals of:

  • Allowing more Wisconsin residents access to UW-La Crosse in order to attain a college degree by growing the undergraduate enrollment of the university.
  • Hiring additional faculty and staff in order to improve academic quality and enhance the undergraduate experience.

CBA Differential

With the considerable growth within the College of Business Administration (CBA) a fee of $14.71 per credit for undergraduate courses at the 200 level and above has been added beginning in the Fall 2023 semester. The CBA consists of six departments with high-demand programs in Accountancy, Economics, Finance, Information Systems, Management, and Marketing. The differential will allow the CBA to support the additional course sections, academic advising, and materials to properly meet student expectations.