Policy and Procedures for Implementing Tuition Waivers for International Students

BACKGROUND

On July 21, 1993, Chancellor Barry Munitz issued Executive Order 605, outlining procedures under which tuition waivers may be granted. New regulations stipulate that campus Presidents have authority to implement tuition waivers. These may be granted to international students at undergraduate and graduate levels, and to non-resident U.S. graduate students.

The number of tuition waivers issued is at the discretion of the local campus, but may not exceed 7.5% of the undergraduate international students, or 25% of graduate students who are not residents of California.

RELEVANT FACTORS

  • Sister Universities

California State University, Fresno, has a number of partnership agreements with universities around the world. These agreements usually stipulate that tuition will be waived by both institutions (within limits). A list of the universities with whom California State University, Fresno has existing partnership agreements can be obtained through the Office of International Programs.

These arrangements need to be considered in formulation of tuition waiver policies. The President or designee is authorized to enter into the partnership agreements with Sister Universities on behalf of California State University, Fresno and make a commitment to grant up to three (3) tuition waivers per annum within this category. These waivers must be included within the total number of waivers authorized annually by the President as set forth below.

  • U.S. Government Funding of International Students

Several federal agencies (and others) provide limited funding for living expenses, travel, etc., for international students, provided the U.S. campus will waive tuition. For students from the Third World, this is sometimes the only realistic option for students seeking to come to California State University, Fresno.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

  • Number of Awards

By January 1 of each year, the Director of International Programs will provide the Level “B” budget group through the Director of Budget and Internal Audit with the total number of waivers proposed to be awarded for the following fiscal year. Level “B” will evaluate this request and will recommend to the President by February 1. The President shall determine the number of tuition waivers to be awarded during the subsequent academic year and will announce their availability no later than February 15.

• Determination of Awards Within the Following Categories:

Each fiscal year, it shall be the responsibility of the Director of International Programs in consultation with the Office of International Student Services and Programs to determine the number of awards (full or partial) to be utilized within each of the following categories.

  1. Sister Universities and Other Academic Institutions
    • Existing academic agreements with other universities will be honored, and the number of students taking advantage of this opportunity will be monitored by the Director of International Programs. Applications must meet California State University, Fresno admissions standards. Efforts will be made to ensure broad global representation; at the same time, special attention will be given to those regions designated as having high priority for international programs, (i.e., the Pacific Rim and Latin America). Additional waivers may be granted in instances where California State University, Fresno wishes to establish closer academic ties as determined by the Director of International Programs.
  2. Government-Subsidized Programs
    • Tuition waivers may be utilized to assist students who are coming to California State University, Fresno under government-sponsored programs, such as LASPAU or AFGRAD
  3. Recruitment
    • Tuition waivers, either in full or in part, may be used to recruit promising students. Such students may also be recruited to carry out special assignments as determined by the university, (e.g., as research assistants, assisting in the International Students and Services Office, etc). Students will be advised of any such expectation when they are offered a tuition waiver (or earlier).
  4. School Discretionary Tuition Waivers
    • A limited number of tuition waivers will be made available to schools and/or departments that present a convincing rational to select their own recipients. In such instances, each school dean will assume responsibility for developing appropriate selection processes for each school which will match students to specified needs and will also identify how such waivers meet the goals articulated in the Plan for the 90’s.
  5. Hardship Situations
    • A limited number of tuition waivers (full or partial) will be made available for students who are unable to continue or complete their studies without some assistance.

IMPLEMENTATION

  • The Office of International Programs will serve as the clearing house for all international student tuition waivers. That office will monitor all awards, and ensure the observance of University policy.
  • Awards of tuition waivers for students from sister universities will be made in accordance with existing agreements.
  • Schools and/or departments wishing to grant tuition waivers to selected international students will recommend these persons to the Office of International Programs, which will announce the awards jointly with the appropriate school/department.

Approved by the President March 1994

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