Fees Explained

Tuition rates and service and activities fees are set by the Board of Trustees within the parameters of the state Legislature.

  • Tuition consists of the operations fee, the capital building fee, and the services and activities fees. In addition, 4% of tuition collected goes to fund student financial aid.
  • The operations fee, with the state’s general fund appropriation, is used to support the University’s primary mission, the education of its students. This money funds instruction, library, student services, administrative and maintenance functions.
  • The capital building fee is used for the construction of academic facilities; it is not used for either housing or dining buildings or to support the University’s operating budget.
  • The service and activities fee is used to amortize, in part, residence halls, dining halls and student activities facilities; to provide the Associated Students administration; and to support student activities such as theater, forensics, musical activities, intramural and intercollegiate activities, etc. 

Visit the Budget and Financial Planning Office for more detailed information.

Mandatory Student Fees

The Health Services fee is charged per quarter to each student who registers for six or more credits on the Bellingham campus.  Fee revenues are used to maintain a standard of health care for Western’s campus and as a contingency for emergency services.  This fee provides a stable funding base for WWU’s health related services by providing accessible medical, mental health and wellness services to students. The fee is the primary source of revenue that supports the staffing and operations of the Student Health Center and a portion of the Counseling and Wellness Center. Students enrolled for one credit or more that have not been charged the fee when they paid tuition are eligible to pay the fee and access services. Both of the departments provide a variety of clinical and educational services to Western’s students.  Students may access online health and counseling services.  This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Student Health Center website.

The Student Technology fee is charged per quarter to each student who registers for six or more credits, $17.50 for students enrolled in less than six credits on the Bellingham campus. The fee is used to upgrade and expand technology equipment, facilities, and software on the Bellingham campus. This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Student Technology Fee website.

The Non-Academic Building fee is charged per quarter to each student who registers for six or more credits on the Bellingham campus. The fee is used for the improvement and development of the Viking Union on the Bellingham campus. This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter.

The Sustainability, Equity, & Justice Fund Grant Program promotes sustainability by providing students with the opportunity to create and implement projects that positively impact environmental, social, health, and economic practices on our campus and in our community.  Started by student initiative, it began as a fund aimed solely at purchasing Renewable Energy Credits to offset 100% of campus electricity usage with green energy.  As the cost to purchase green energy declined, students voted in 2010 to renew the fee and expand the program by offering grant for innovative student-driven project proposals that fit within the mission and priorities of the SEJF program.  The fee will be charged on a per credit hour basis up to a maximum of ten credit hours per quarter. This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Sustainability, Equity and Justice Fund Fee website.

The Student Recreation fee is charged to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in six or more credits.  The fee revenue supports bond debt payments for the construction of the, ongoing facility maintenance, repair and replacement and the ongoing personnel and program operations of the Wade King Student Recreation Center.  This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Campus Recreation Services website.

A $3 Active Transportation Fee is charged per quarter to all students registered for one to five credits on the Bellingham campus; students taking six or more credits are charged $30 per quarter. The fee is used to provide students with Whatcom Transportation Authority and Skagit Transit bus pass, late night transportation services on the Starlight Shuttle, and programming  that supports and encourages students to not drive alone to Western. This fee is mandatory and non refundable. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Transportation Services website

Students who are 18 and under can ride all public transit for free in Washington State. Due to this they are not billed the same amount for the Active Transportation Fee. Students who turn 19 during a quarter will be charged the full fee the next time they register for classes. 

The Legislative Action fee is charged per quarter to each student who registers for one or more credits. Fee revenues fund student representation and advocacy efforts at the campus, local, state and federal levels.  A Legislative Affairs Council (LAC) administers the funds.  This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Associated Students Legislative Action Council website.

The Multicultural Center (MCC) fee is charged to students taking six or more credits.  A student-initiated fee to expand the Ethnic Student Center and Multicultural Services space at the Viking Union/Bookstore Complex.  This fee was used to fund a portion of the construction, maintenance, and facility operations of the space. Programmatic funding comes from other funding sources.  This fee is non-refundable after the fifth day of the quarter. For a more specific explanation of this fee, visit the Viking Union website.

The S&A Fee is governed by the laws of Washington State. Per RCW 28B.15.041, Services and Activities Fees are defined as “...fees, other than tuition fees, charged to all students registering at the...state colleges and universities” and that the “Services and Activities fees shall be used…for the express purpose of funding student activities and programs.” Also by State law, 3.5% of all Fee revenue must be allocated towards student loan programs. Visit the Enrollment and Student Services website for more information on the S&A fee.