Graduate students in waiver-eligible programs may qualify for different types of tuition waivers. Below are the types of waivers available, as defined by Graduate College policy. For addition information about campus fees mentioned below, see the Office of Registrar's website.
Waivers Without a Qualifying Appointment
These waivers are available even if the student does not hold a waiver-generating appointment.
Stand-Alone Tuition Waiver
- Granted at the discretion of disciplinary colleges.
- Request is submitted by the department in the Fellowship Processing System (FEPS). Steps for how to submit are available in the Fellowship Processing Guide.
- May be a base-rate or full waiver, depending on the graduate program tuition waiver policy.
Fee Waivers Included: Service fee, AFMFA fee, and Library/Technology fee.
Not Covered: Other fees, dental, and vision insurance.
Summer Automatic Waiver
- Available to students who held waiver-generating appointments in the previous spring semester.
- Automatically applied to student’s account by the Office of Student Financial Aid for those who qualify and who enroll for summer classes.
- Covers summer tuition at the same level as the preceding spring semester.
Fee Waivers Included: Service fee, AFMFA fee, Library/Technology fee, Transportation fee, International student fee (if assessed), 87% of health insurance fee, Full waiver of health service fee
Courtesy Fellowship Waiver
- For students with external fellowships where the stipend is paid directly to the student.
- Request is submitted by the department in the Fellowship Processing System (FEPS). Steps for how to submit are available in the Fellowship Processing Guide.
- The stipend must meet or exceed the campus-established minimum and not include tuition or fees funding.
Fee Waivers Included: Varies by award but typically includes: Service fee, AFMFA fee, Library/Technology fee, Transportation fee, International student fee (if assessed), 87% of health insurance fee, Full waiver of health service fee
Mandatory Waivers
These waivers are granted through legislation. Please see Policy on Tuition and Fee Waivers.
Waivers Due to a Qualifying Appointment
These waivers are linked to specific appointment categories.
Assistantship Waiver
- Available for qualifying assistantship appointments (25-67% FTE for ¾ of the academic term).
- Automatically applied to student’s account by Office of Student Financial Aid once the student’s appointment is finalized. Waivers are processed according to the processing schedule provided by OFSA.
- Provides base-rate or full waiver depending on program tuition waiver policy.
Fee Waivers Included: Service fee, AFMFA fee, Library/Technology fee, Transportation fee, International student fee (if assessed), 87% of health insurance fee, Full waiver of health service fee
Fellowship Waiver
- Available for fellowships with a stipend of $5,000+ for a fall or spring semester or $1,111 for two months in summer.
- Request is submitted by the department in the Fellowship Processing System (FEPS). Steps for how to submit are available in the Fellowship Processing Guide.
- Provides a full waiver of tuition.
Fee Waivers Included: Service fee, AFMFA fee, Library/Technology fee, Transportation fee, International student fee (if assessed), 87% of health insurance fee, Full waiver of health service fee
Other Employment Categories
Further details on employment-related tuition waivers are available through NESSIE.