Fee Information

Schedule of Tuition and Fees 2020-21

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition and fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU reserves the right, even after initial payments are made, to increase or modify any listed tuition or fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide tuition, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU-listed tuition and fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the chancellor or the presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide tuition will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 through 66028.6 of the California Education Code).

The following reflects applicable systemwide tuition and fees for both semester and quarter campuses. These rates are subject to change.

All Students

Application fee (nonrefundable), payable online at the time of application via credit card, e-check or PayPal: $70

2020-21 Basic Tuition

2020-21 Doctorate Tuition* 

*Applicable term tuition applies for campuses with special terms, as determined by the campus. Total college year tuition cannot exceed the academic year plus summer term tuition. The summer term tuition for the education doctorate at quarter campuses is equal to the per semester tuition listed in the table. Total tuition for the education doctorate over the college year equals the per academic year tuition plus the per semester tuition for the summer term at all CSU campuses.

2020-21 Graduate Business Professional Fee

The graduate business professional fee is paid on a per unit basis in addition to basic tuition and campus fees for the following graduate business programs: 

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Accountancy 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Business Administration 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Health Care Management 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Business and Technology 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Information Systems 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Taxation 

Nonresident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

Nonresident tuition (in addition to basic tuition and systemwide fees charged all students) for all campuses:

The total nonresident tuition paid per term will be determined by the number of units taken. 

Mandatory systemwide tuition is waived for those individuals who qualify for such exemption under the provisions of the California Education Code (see section on fee waivers). 

Students are charged campus fees in addition to tuition and systemwide fees. Information on campus fees can be found by contacting the individual campus(es).

(THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS MANDATORY FOR THOSE CAMPUSES WHICH PERMIT USE OF THESE RESPECTIVE CREDIT CARDS)

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards may be used for payment of student tuition and fees but may be subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee.

Schedule of Tuition and Fees 2019-20

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition and fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU reserves the right, even after tuition or fees are initially charged or initial payments are made, to increase or modify any listed tuition or fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide tuition, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU-listed tuition and fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the chancellor or the presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide tuition will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 – 66028.6 of the Education Code). 

The following reflects applicable systemwide tuition and fees for both semester and quarter campuses that were authorized by the Board of Trustees at the March 2017 meeting. These rates are subject to change.

All Students

Application fee (nonrefundable), payable online at the time of application via credit card, e-check or PayPal: $55

2019-20 Basic Tuition

2019-20 Doctorate Tuition* 

*Applicable term tuition applies for campuses with special terms, as determined by the campus. Total college year tuition cannot exceed the academic year plus summer term tuition. The summer term tuition for the education doctorate at quarter campuses is equal to the per semester tuition listed in the table. Total tuition for the education doctorate over the college year equals the per academic year tuition plus the per semester tuition for the summer term at all CSU campuses.

 2019-20 Graduate Business Professional Fee

The graduate business professional fee is paid on a per unit basis in addition to basic tuition and campus fees for the following graduate business programs: 

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Accountancy 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Business Administration 
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Health Care Management
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Business and Technology
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Information Systems
Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Taxation 

Nonresident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

Nonresident tuition (in addition to basic tuition and other systemwide fees charged all students) for all campuses:

The total nonresident tuition paid per term will be determined by the number of units taken. 

Mandatory systemwide tuition is waived for those individuals who qualify for such exemption under the provisions of the California Education Code (see section on fee waivers). 

Students are charged campus fees in addition to tuition and systemwide fees. Information on campus fees can be found by contacting the individual campus(es).

(THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS MANDATORY FOR THOSE CAMPUSES WHICH PERMIT USE OF THESE RESPECTIVE CREDIT CARDS)

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards may be used for payment of student tuition and fees but may be subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee.

Category I Fees

Systemwide mandatory fees that must be paid to apply to, enroll in or attend the university, or to pay the full cost of instruction required of some students by statute.

Category II Fees

Campus mandatory fees that must be paid to enroll in or attend the university.

Category III Fees

Fees associated with state-supported courses. Specifically for materials and services used in concert with the basic foundation of an academic course offering.

Category IV Fees

Fees, other than Category II or III fees, paid to receive materials, services or for the use of facilities provided by the university; and fees or deposits to reimburse the university for additional costs resulting from dishonored payments, late submissions, or misuse of property or as a security or guaranty.

Category V Fees

Fees paid to self-support programs such as extended education, parking and housing, including materials and services fees, user fees, fines and deposits.

Category VI Fees

Systemwide voluntary fees charged to all students unless they choose to opt out of the fee.

Tuition and Campus-Based Fees

• Tuition Fee
• Student Involvement and Representation Fee (optional fee)
• Campus-Based Fees
  • Associated Student Body Fee
  • Campus Union Fee
  • Consolidated Course Fee
  • Health Center Fee
  • Health Facilities Fee
  • Instructionally Related Activities Fee
  • Student ID Card Fee
  • Student Success Fee
  • TITAN Participation Fee

Fee Payment

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover credit cards and ACH (e-check) from savings or checking accounts may be used for payment of student fees. Payments may be made online by logging into Titan Online via the student portal at fullerton.edu and clicking on “Student Center.” Select “Account Inquiry” to view any current balances due and follow the instructions to “Make a Payment.” For other payment options, go to the Student Business Services website at sfs.fullerton.edu/services/payments.

ID Card

The campus ID card, the TitanCard, incorporates multiple applications into a single card. The TitanCard, which bears the user’s photograph, signature and CSUF logo, is designed to be the student’s permanent ID card with electronic validation occurring each semester of enrollment. The card permits easy access to university facilities and services including the Pollak Library, recreation activities, several student affairs offices, athletics ticket office, Titan Shops, dining and vending services, computer labs, student elections, etc. TitanTender is the debit account portion of the TitanCard, reducing the need to carry cash on campus. The card also can serve as a long-distance calling card and ATM card.

Fees Waivers and Exemptions

The California Education Code provides for the waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition fees as summarized below: 

Section 66025.3 – Military - Dependent eligible to receive assistance under Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code; child of any veteran of the United States military who has a service-connected disability, has been killed in service, or has died of a service-connected disability, and meets specified income provisions; dependent, or surviving spouse who has not remarried of any member of the California National Guard who, in the line of duty, and while in the active service of the state, was killed, died of a disability resulting from an event that occurred while in the active service of the state, or is permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred while in the active service of the state; and any undergraduate student who is a recipient of a Medal of Honor, or undergraduate student who is a child of a recipient of a Medal of Honor who is no more than 27 years old, who meets the income restriction and California residency requirement. 

Foster Youth - Current or former foster youth who are 25 years of age or younger; have been in foster care for at least 12 consecutive months after reaching 10 years of age; meet one of the following: is under a current foster care placement order by the juvenile court, was under a foster care placement order by the juvenile court upon reaching 18 years of age, or was adopted, or entered guardianship, from foster care; completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); maintains a minimum grade point average and meets the conditions necessary to be in good standing at the campus; and meets the financial need requirements established for Cal Grant A awards. The waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees under this section applies only to a person who is determined to be a resident of California pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 68000) of Part 41 of the California Education Code. 

Section 66602 – A qualifying student from the California State University who is appointed by the Governor to serve as Trustee of the California State University for the duration of his or her term of office. 

Section 68120 – Surviving spouse or child of a deceased resident who was employed by a public agency, or was a contractor or an employee of a contractor, performing services for a public agency, and was killed or died as a result of an industrial injury or illness arising out of and in the course of the performance of his/her principal duties of active law enforcement or active fire suppression and prevention duties (referred to as Alan Pattee Scholarships). Additionally, a person who qualifies for the waiver under this section as a surviving child of a contractor or of an employee of a contractor, who performed services for a public agency, must have enrolled as an undergraduate student at the California State University and meet the applicable income restriction requirement with supporting documentation (i.e. his/her income, including the value of parent support, does not exceed the maximum household income and asset level for an applicant for a Cal Grant B award). 

Section 68121 – A qualifying student enrolled in an undergraduate program who is the surviving dependent of any individual killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., or the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in southwestern Pennsylvania, if the student meets the financial need requirements set forth in Government Code Section 69432.7 for the Cal Grant A Program and either the surviving dependent or the individual killed in the attacks was a resident of California on September 11, 2001.

Section 69000 – A person who has been exonerated, as that term is defined in Section 3007.05(e) of the Penal Code;     completes and submits the FAFSA; and meets the financial need requirements established for Cal Grant A awards.  The waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees under this section applies only to a person who is determined to be a resident of California pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 68000) of Part 41 of the California Education Code.

Students who may qualify for the above benefits should contact the Admissions/Registrar’s Office for further information and/or an eligibility determination. 

The California Education Code provides for the following nonresident tuition exemptions as summarized below: 

Section 68075 - A student who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state, except a member of the Armed Forces assigned for educational purposes to a state-supported institution of higher education, is entitled to resident classification only for the purpose of determining the amount of tuition and fees. 

If that member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is in attendance at an institution is thereafter transferred on military orders to a place outside this state where the member continues to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, he or she shall not lose his or her resident classification so long as he or she remains continuously enrolled at that institution. 

Section 68075.7 – A nonresident student is exempt from paying nonresident tuition or any other fee that is exclusively applicable to nonresident students if the student (1) resides in California, (2) meets the definition of “covered individual” as defined in either: (A) Section 3679(c)(2)(A) or (B)(ii)(l) of Title 38 of the United States Code, as that provision read on January 1, 2017 or (B) Section 3679(c)(2)(B)(i) or (ii)(II) of Title 38 of the United States Code, as that provision read on January 1, 2017, and (3) is eligible for education benefits under either the federal Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program (30 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.) or the Post-9/11 GI Bill program (38 U.S.C. § 3301 et seq.) as each read on January 1, 2017. 

Section 68122 – A student who is a victim of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes who has been granted T or U visa status (respectively under Section 1101(a)(15)(T)(i) or (ii), or Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(i) or (ii), of Title 8 of the United States Code) shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition to the same extent as individuals who are admitted to the United States as refugees under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code. 

Section 68130.5 – A student, other than a nonimmigrant alien (8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)), who is not a resident of California is exempt from paying nonresident tuition if the student meets the requirements of (1) through (4), below: 

1. Satisfaction of the requirements of either subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B):
        a. A total attendance of, or attainment of credits earned while in California equivalent to, three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:
             i. California high schools.
   ​          ii. California high schools established by the State Board of Education.
   ​          iii. California adult schools established by a county office of education, a unified school district or high school district, or the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (subject to the class hours’ requirement).
   ​          iv. Campuses of the California Community Colleges (subject to the credit requirements).
   ​          v. A combination of those schools set forth in clauses (i) to (iv), inclusive. 
        b. Three or more years of full-time high school coursework, and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of California elementary and secondary schools. 
2. Satisfaction of any of the following:
        a. Graduation from a California high school or attainment of the equivalent thereof.
        b. Attainment of an associate degree from a campus of the California Community Colleges.
        c. Fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements established for the California State University for students transferring from a campus of the California Community Colleges. 
3. Registration as an entering student at, or current enrollment at, an accredited institution of higher education in California not earlier than the fall semester or quarter of the 2001–02 academic year. 
4. In the case of a person without lawful immigration status, the filing of an affidavit with the institution of higher education stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. 

Refund of Tuition and Mandatory Fees, Including Nonresident Tuition

Regulations governing the refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, for students enrolling at the California State University are included in Section 41802 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations. For purposes of the refund policy, mandatory fees are defined as those systemwide and campus fees that are required to be paid in order to enroll in state-supported academic programs at the CSU. Refunds of fees and tuition charges for self-support, special session and extended education programs or courses at the CSU are governed by a separate policy established by the university, available at ou.fullerton.edu/fees-resources.

In order to receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees, less an administrative charge established by the campus, including nonresident tuition, a student must cancel registration or drop all courses prior to the first day of instruction for the term. Information on procedures and deadlines for canceling registration and dropping classes is available in the online Registration Guide or Student Business Services website at sfs.fullerton.edu/services/refunds.

For state-supported semesters, quarters and non-standard terms or courses of four weeks or more, a student who withdraws during the term in accordance with the university’s established procedures or drops all courses prior to the campus-designated drop period will receive a refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, based on the portion of the term during which the student was enrolled. No student withdrawing after the 60 percent point in the term will be entitled to a refund of any mandatory fees or nonresident tuition. 

A student who, within the campus designated drop period and in accordance with campus procedures, drops units resulting in a lower tuition and/or mandatory fee obligation shall be entitled to a refund of applicable tuition and mandatory fees less an administrative charge established by the campus. 

For state-supported non-standard terms or courses of less than four weeks, no refunds of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, will be made unless a student cancels registration or drops all classes, in accordance with the university’s established procedures and deadlines, prior to the first day of instruction for state-supported non-standard terms or courses or prior to the first meeting for courses of less than four weeks. 

Students will also receive a refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, under the following circumstances: 

• The tuition and fees were assessed or collected in error; 
• The course for which the tuition and fees were assessed or collected was cancelled by the university; 
• The university makes a delayed decision that the student was not eligible to enroll in the term for which tuition and mandatory fees were assessed and collected and the delayed decision was not due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the student; or 
• The student was activated for compulsory military service. 

Students who are not entitled to a refund as described above may petition the university for a refund demonstrating exceptional circumstances and the chief financial officer of the university or designee may authorize a refund if he or she determines that the fees and tuition were not earned by the university. 

Information concerning any aspect of the refund of fees may be obtained from Student Financial Services, Gordon Hall 180, 657-278-2495.

Services Supported by Tuition Fees

Undergraduate, Credential Program, Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate and Doctorate Tuition Fees provides financing for the following student services:

• Social and Cultural Development Activities - Provides for the coordination of various student activities, student organizations, student government and cultural programs
• Counseling - Includes the cost of counselors’ salaries and clerical support, plus operating expenses and equipment
• Testing - Covers the cost of test officers, psychometrists, clerical support, operating expenses and equipment
• Placement - Provides career information to students and faculty for academic program planning and employment information to graduates and students
• Financial Aid Administration - Includes the cost of the counseling and business services provided in connection with the financial aid programs
• Health Services - Provides health services to students and covers the cost of salaries of medical officers and nurses and related clerical and technical personnel, as well as operating expenses and equipment
• Housing - Supports personnel who provide housing information and monitor housing services available to students
• Student Affairs Administration - Covers 50 percent of the cost of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, which has responsibility for the overall administration of student services

Typical Student Expenses 2019-20

Typical school year budgets for California residents vary widely. Room and board allowances for nine months range from $6,096 for students living at home to $15,852 for students living on campus and $16,189 for students living off campus. The allowance for books and supplies is $2,058. Total yearly costs include allowances for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses range from $18,363 for a student living at home to $28,045 for a student living on campus and $28,456 for a student living off campus. Nonresident students must also allow for nonresident tuition fees in addition to the costs listed above. Further details on student costs are available from the Office of Financial Aid (Gordon Hall 146).

Procedure for the Establishment or Abolishment of Campus-Based Mandatory Fees

The law governing the California State University provides that specific campus fees defined as mandatory, such as a student association fee and a student center fee, may be established. A student association fee must be established upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the students voting in an election held for this purpose (Education Code, Section 89300). The campus president may adjust the student association fee only after the fee adjustment has been approved by a majority of students voting in a referendum established for that purpose. The required fee shall be subject to referendum at any time upon the presentation of a petition to the campus president containing the signatures of 10 percent of the regularly enrolled students at the university. Student association fees support a variety of cultural and recreational programs, childcare centers, and special student support programs. A student center fee may be established only after a fee referendum is held which approves by a two-thirds favorable vote the establishment of the fee (Education Code, Section 89304). Once bonds are issued, authority to set and adjust student center fees is governed by provisions of the State University Revenue Bond Act of 1947, including, but not limited to, Education Code sections 90012, 90027, and 90068. 

The process to establish and adjust other campus-based mandatory fees requires consideration by the campus fee advisory committee and a student referendum as established by California State University Student Fee Policy (Executive Order 1102), Section III. The campus president may use alternate consultation mechanisms if he/she determines that a referendum is not the best mechanism to achieve appropriate and meaningful consultation. Results of the referendum and the fee committee review are advisory to the campus president. The president may adjust campus-based mandatory fees but must request the chancellor to establish a new mandatory fee. The president shall provide to the campus fee advisory committee a report of all campus-based mandatory fees. The campus shall report annually to the chancellor a complete inventory of all campus-based mandatory fees. 

For more information or questions, please contact the Budget Office in the CSU Chancellor’s Office at 562-951-4560.

Average Support Cost Per Full-Time Equivalent Student and Sources of Funds

The total support cost per full-time equivalent student (FTES) includes the expenditures for current operations, including payments made to students in the form of financial aid, and all fully reimbursed programs contained in state appropriations. The average support cost is determined by dividing the total cost by the number of FTES. The total CSU 2019/20 budget amounts were $3,982,552,000 from state General Fund (GF) appropriations and before adding $39.3 million CalPERS retirement adjustment, $2,499,138,000 from gross tuition revenue, and $656,748,000 from other fee revenues for a total of $7,138,439,000. The 2019/20 resident FTES target is 374,131 and the nonresident FTES based on past-year actual is 24,026 for a total of 398,157 FTES. The GF appropriation is applicable to resident students only whereas fee revenues are collected from resident and nonresident students. FTES is determined by dividing the total academic student load (e.g. 15 units per semester) (the figure used here to define a full-time student’s academic load).

¹Represents state GF appropriation in the Budget Act of 2019/20; GF is divisible by resident students only (374,131 FTES).

²Represents CSU Operating Fund, gross tuition and other fees revenue amounts submitted in campus August 2019/20 final budgets. Revenues are divisible by resident and nonresident students (398,157 FTES).

The 2019/20 average support cost per FTES based on GF appropriation and net tuition fee revenue only is $16,922 and when including all three sources as indicated below is $18,571, which includes all fee revenue (e.g. tuition fees, application fees, and other campus mandatory fees) in the CSU Operating Fund. Of this amount, the average net tuition and other fee revenue per FTES is $7,926.

The average CSU 2019/20 academic year, resident, undergraduate student basic tuition and other mandatory fees required to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university is $7,337 ($5,742 tuition fee plus $1,595 average campus-based fees). However, the costs paid by individual students will vary depending on campus, program, and whether a student is part-time, full-time, resident, or nonresident.

Parking Fees

Parking fees and penalties are available at the Parking and Transportation website parking.fullerton.edu or by calling 657-278-3082.

The semester parking permit fee schedule and daily parking permit rate a available at parking.fullerton.edu/services.

Parking ticket information and penalties are available at parking.fullerton.edu/parkingtickets.