V.R. - Establishment of Fees | Idaho State Board of Education

V.R. – Establishment of Fees

1. Board Policy on Student Tuition and Fees

Consistent with the Statewide Plan for Higher Education in Idaho, the institutions shall maintain tuition and fees that provide for quality education and maintain access to educational programs for Idaho citizens. In setting tuition and fees, nothing in this policy shall preclude review and approval of tuition and fee setting based on market considerations. The Board may consider factors suc h as how tuition and fees compare to tuition and fees at peer institutions, how percent increases compared to inflationary factors, how tuition and fees are represented as a percent of per capita income and/or household income, and what share students pay of their education costs. Other criteria may be evaluated as is deemed appropriate. An institution cannot request more than a ten percent (10%) increase in the total full-time resident and/or non- resident student tuition and fee rate unless otherwise authorized by the Board. Each institution shall comply with Board policy V.D. in depositing tuition revenues.

It is the requirement of the Board that institutions communicate all tuition and fees to students in a clear and understandable format prior to their enrollment and that fees be as consolidated and limited as is practicable. Such communication shall include information about tuition and fees, and reference possible student-specific items that cannot be determined until enrollment, such as course fees.

2. Tuition and Fee Setting Process – Board Approved Tuition and Fees

Initial Notice

A proposal to alter any student tuition and fees covered by Subsection V.R.3. shall be formalized by initial notice of the chief executive officer of the institution at least six (6) weeks prior to the Board meeting at which a final decision is to be made.

Notice will consist of transmittal, in writing, to the student body president and to the recognized student newspaper of the proposal contained in the initial notice. The proposal will describe the amount of change, statement of purpose, and the amount of revenues to be collected.

The initial notice must include an invitation to the students to present oral or written testimony at the public hearing held by the institution to discuss the fee proposal. A record of the public hearing as well as a copy of the initial notice shall be made available to the Board. Public hearings may be held in person or virtually.
Board Approval

Board approval for tuition and fees will be considered annually. This approval will be timed to provide the institutions with sufficient time to prepare the subsequent fiscal year operating budget.
Effective Date

Any change in the rate of tuition and fees becomes effective on the date approved by the Board unless otherwise specified.

3. Definitions and Types of Tuition and Fees

The following definitions are applicable to tuition and fees charged to students at all the state colleges and universities under the governance of the Board.

Board Established Tuition
1. Institution Tuition
  
  Tuition is the amount charged for any and all educational services at University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, and Lewis-Clark State College. Tuition is assessed for, but is not limited to, academic services; instruction; the construction, maintenance, and operation of buildings and facilities; student services; or institutional support.
  
  Special Tuition rates may include tuition for such items as specialized short- term courses or programs, summer courses, or other special kinds of courses for the purposes of furthering the educational mission of the institution.
  
  Part-time Credit Hour tuition is defined as the charge per credit hour charged for educational services for enrolled, part-time students.
  
  The Course Overload Tuition rate may be charged to full-time students whose credit hour workload is higher than the guidelines for a normal course load.
  
  a) Tuition – University of Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College
  
  Tuition shall be set as follows and may include both full-time and part-time rates: • Undergraduate Resident Tuition • Undergraduate Non- resident Tuition • Graduate Resident Tuition • Graduate Non- resident Tuition • Special Resident Tuition • Special Non-resident Tuition • Course Overload Tuition
2. Systemwide Tuition
  
  The Board may choose to establish a systemwide tuition rate for programs that span two or more institutions. Revenues from systemwide tuition will be deposited with the state for those institutions required to do so per statute.
3. Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Tuition
  
  The Western Undergraduate Exchange tuition is established as 150% of the resident tuition rate for full-time students participating in this program. Students in this program shall be subject to the Consolidated Mandatory Fee and all other applicable fees.
Board Established Course and Program Fees

For purposes of board established course and program fees, “academic” means a systematic, usually sequential, grouping of courses that provide the student with the knowledge and competencies required for a baccalaureate, master’s, specialist or doctoral degree as defined in policy III.E.1.
1. Career Technical Education Fee
  
  The Career Technical Education fee is the fee charged for educational costs for students enrolled in Career Technical Education programs
2. Institutional Online Program Fee
  
  An institutional online program fee may be charged for any fully online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate program. An online program fee shall be in lieu of resident or non- resident tuition (as defined in Idaho Code §33- 3717B) and all other Board- approved fees. An online program is one in which all courses are offered and delivered via distance learning modalities (e.g. campus-supported learning management system, videoconferencing, etc.); provided however, that limited on- campus meetings may be allowed if necessary for accreditation purposes or to ensure the program is pedagogically sound.
3. Professional Program Fees
  
  A profession is an occupation, for which a person has to undergo specialized training or internship for getting a high degree of education and expertise in the concentrated area.
  
  a) Requirements. To designate a professional fee for a Board approved professional program, all of the following criteria must be met:
  1. Credential or Licensure Requirement:
    
    i) A professional fee may be charged for an academic professional program if graduates of the program obtain a specialized higher education certificate or degree that qualifies them to practice a professional service involving expert and specialized knowledge for which credentialing or licensing may be required.
    
    ii) Any such professional program must provide at least the minimum capabilities required for entry to the practice of a profession.
  2. Accreditation Requirement: The program:
    
    i) is accredited within the institution’s regional accreditation; or
    
    ii) is actively seeking accreditation if a new program; or
    
    iii) will be actively seeking program accreditation after the first full year of existence if a new program by a regional or specialized accrediting agency.
  3. Demonstration of Program Costs: Institutions may propose professional fees for Board approval based on the costs to deliver the program and other related costs. An institution must provide justification for the pricing of the professional program. Professional program fees must be additional fees above and beyond the normal resident and non- resident tuition rates.
    
    b) Program Guidelines
  4. The program must be consistent with academic offerings of the institution serving a population that accesses the same activities, services, and features as full-time, tuition-paying students.
  5. Upon the approval and establishment of a professional fee, course fees associated with the same program shall be prohibited.
  6. Once a professional fee is initially approved by the Board, any subsequent change in a professional fee shall require prior approval by the Board at the same meeting institutions submit proposals for tuition and fees.
4. Self-Support Academic Program Fees
  
  a) Self-support programs fees are charged in lieu of resident or non- resident tuition for programs that lead to degrees or certificates . To bring a Self- support program fee to the Board for approval, all of the following criteria must be met:
  1. An institution shall follow the program approval guidelines set forth in policy III.G.
  2. The Self-support program shall be an academic program.
  3. The Self-support program shall be distinct from the traditional offerings of the institution by serving a population that does not access the same activities, services and features as full-time, resident and non- resident tuition paying students, such as programs designed specifically for working professionals, programs offered off-campus, or programs delivered completely online.
  4. No appropriated funds may be used in support of Self-support programs. The Self-support program fee shall be all-inclusive and no other fees shall be charged in connection with participation in the program.
  5. Self-support program finances shall be segregated, tracked and accounted for separately from all other programs of the institution except as provided for in subsection 3.B.iv.b.
    
    b) If a Self-support program fee is approved for a new program, an institution may fund program start-up costs through reallocation or use of reserves., the program must demonstrate ability to support its costs, both direct and indirect, within a period not to exceed three years from program start-up.
    
    c) Once a Self-support program fee is initially approved by the Board, any subsequent change in a Self-support program fee shall require prior approval by the Board.
    
    d) Students enrolled in self-support programs may take courses outside of the program so long as they pay the required tuition and fees for those courses.
5. Summer Bridge Program Fee
  
  The Summer Bridge Program Fee fee is charged to students recently graduated from high school, who are admitted into a summer bridge program at an institution the summer immediately following graduation from high school, and who will be enrolling in pre- determined college- level courses at the same institution the fall semester of the same year for the express purpose of acquiring knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in college. The bridge program fee shall be set annually by the Board. vi). Independent Study in Idaho
  
  This fee is charged for courses offered through the Independent Study in Idaho (ISI) cooperative program. Complete degree programs shall not be offered through the ISI. Credits earned upon course completion shall transfer to any Idaho public college or university. The ISI program shall receive no appropriated or institutional funding and shall operate alone on revenue generated through ISI student registration fees.
Institution Established Program Fees Institution Established Program Fees are charged in lieu of tuition. The Board delegates establishment of the following fees to the Chief Executive Officers. An annual report listing these fees shall be provided to the Board annually at the time of establishment of Board-established tuition and fees.
1. Employee/Spouse/Dependent Fee
  
  The fee for eligible participants shall be set by each institution. Eligibility shall be determined by each institution. Employees, spouses and dependents at institutions and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Board may be eligible for this fee. Employees of the Office of the State Board of Education and the Division of Career Technical Education shall be treated as institution employees for purposes of eligibility. Special course fees may also be charged.
2. Senior Citizen Fee
  
  The fee for eligible participants shall be set by each institution. Eligibility shall be determined by each institution.
3. In-Service Teacher Education Fee
  
  This fee shall be applicable only to teacher education courses offered as teacher professional development. This fee is not intended for courses which count toward an institution’s degree programs. Courses must be approved by the appropriate academic unit(s) at the institution. For purposes of this special fee only, “teacher” means any certificated staff (i.e. pupil services, instructional and administrative).
  
  a) The fee shall not exceed one- third of the part-time undergraduate credit hour fee or one- third of the graduate credit hour fee for Idaho teachers employed at an Idaho elementary or secondary school; and
  
  b) The credit-granting institution may set a course fee up to the regular undergraduate or graduate credit hour fee for non-Idaho teachers, for teachers who are not employed at an Idaho elementary or secondary school, or in cases where the credit-granting institution bears all or part of the costs of delivering the course.
4. Contracts and Grants
  
  Special fee arrangements are authorized by the Board for instructional programs provided by an institution pursuant to a grant or contract approved by the Board.
5. Continuing Education Fees
  
  Continuing education fees may be charged to continuing education students on a course- by-course basis.
Board Approved Administrative Fees

Administrative local fees are student fees that are approved by the State Board of Education and deposited into local institutional accounts.

These shall be approved by the Board at its annual meeting for setting tuition and fees and will be clearly communicated to students prior to their enrollment.
1. Consolidated Mandatory Fee This fee is inclusive of all facilities, activity and technology fees. The State Board of Education will approve the Consolidated Mandatory Fee which will then be allocated by institutions. A full-time and part-time rate shall be established. The Consolidated Mandatory Fee, with an amount for each of the four categories that comprise it, shall be submitted to the Board for approval annually with the tuition increase. The categories are:
  
  Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success The student enrollment, engagement and success fees provide funding to support the multitude of activities and services available to students, both on and off campus. Included in these fees are scholarships, student employment opportunities, funding to support student success initiatives, and enrollment (recruitment and retention) activities.
  
  Institutional Operations, Services, and Support The institutional operations, services, and support fees support the departmental and infrastructure needs of the college and universities, including construction and maintenance of facilities; instructional and computing resources; student involvement services and participation with athletic, arts, and cultural events. Student Health and Wellness The student health and wellness fee supports students’ physical and mental health and well-being. The student health and wellness fee also allows for access to the health and counseling centers throughout the year as well as access to well-being and fitness programs and facilities for overall improvement of the student experience. This fee also funds facilities, maintenance, and programs available through the recreation and intramural programs.
  
  Student Government The student government fee funds support for the student government officers elected by students, student government initiatives, and student overall experience. Students are provided the means to engage in discussions, events, and opportunities that interest them, are new to them, and challenge them. A subset of this fee includes funding for student activities, clubs, and organizations; of which students shall be allowed to opt-out of payment of this subset of the fee.
  
  Upon approval by the Board, each institution shall ensure that the Consolidated Mandatory Fee and each of the category fees shall be posted on an easily accessible location on its website.
2. Transcription Fee
  
  A fee may be charged for processing and transcripting credits. The fee shall be established annually by the Board.
  
  a) This fee may be charged to students enrolled in a qualified Workforce Training course where the student elects to receive credit. The cost of delivering Workforce Training courses, which typically are for noncredit, is an additional fee since Workforce Training courses are self -supporting. The fees for delivering the courses are retained by the technical colleges
  
  b) This fee may also be charged for transcripting demonstrable technical competency credits as defined in Board policy III.Y.
3. Dual Credit Fee
  
  High school students who enroll in one or more dual credit courses delivered by high schools (including Idaho Digital Learning Academy), either face- to-face or online, are eligible to pay a reduced cost per credit which is approved at the Board’s annual tuition and fee setting meeting. The term “dual credit” as used in this section is defined in Board Policy III.Y, which defines how costs are determined for high school students who are enrolled in classes on campus.
Institution Approved Special Course and Administrative Fees

The following local fees and charges are charged to support specific courses or activities and are only charged to students that engage in those specific courses or activities. Local fees and charges are deposited into local institutional accounts or the unrestricted fund. All local fees or changes to such local fees are established and become effective in the amount and at the time specified by the institution. The institution is responsible for reporting these local fees to the Board upon request.
1. Special Course Fees
  
  A special course fee is an additive fee on top of the standard per credit hour fee which may be charged to students enrolled in a specific course for materials and/or activities required for that course. Special course fees, or changes to such fees, are established and become effective in the amount and at the time specified by the chief executive officer or provost, and must be prominently posted so as to be readily accessible and transparent to students, along with other required course cost information. Such fees shall be reported to the Board upon request.
  
  a) Special course fees shall be directly related to academic programming. Likewise, special course fees for career technical courses shall be directly related to the skill or trade being taught.
  
  b) Special course fees may only be charged to cover the direct costs of the additional and necessary expenses that are unique to the course. This includes the costs for lab materials and supplies, specialized software, cost for distance and/or online delivery, and personnel costs for a lab manager. A special course fee shall not subsidize other courses, programs or institution operations.
  
  c) A special course fee shall not be used to pay a cost for which the institution would ordinarily budget including faculty, administrative support and supplies.
  
  d) Special course fees shall be separately accounted for and shall not be commingled with other funds; provided however, multiple course fees supporting a common special cost (e.g. language lab, science lab equipment, computer equipment/software, etc.) may be combined. The institution is responsible for managing these fees to ensure appropriate use (i.e. directly attributable to the associated courses) and that reserve balances are justified to ensure that fees charged are not excessive. e) The institution shall maintain a system of procedures and controls providing reasonable assurance that special course fees are properly established and used in accordance with this policy, providing an annual review of one- third of the fees each year over a 3- year cycle.
  
  iii.. Additional Mandatory Fee s
  
  a) Processing fees may be charged for the provision of academic products or services to students (e.g. undergraduate application fee, graduate application fee, program application fee, graduation/diploma fee, new student orientation fees and transcripts). Fees for permits (e.g. parking permit) may also be charged. Each fee may be included in the Consolidated Mandatory fee or established as a separate fee.
  
  b) All processing fees are established and become effective in the amount and at the time specified by the institution.
2. Discretionary Fees
  
  Fees for permits, student health insurance premiums, room and board rates, or fines shall be established by the institution. Each fee may be included in the Consolidated Mandatory fee or established as a separate fee.
3. Fines and Infractions Fines may be charged for the infraction of an institution policy (e.g., late fee, late drop, library fine, parking fine, lost card, returned check, or stop payment).

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V.R. – Establishment of Fees – 02-2022