Fee Explanation

Undergraduate Fees

Commencement Fee

The Commencement Fee helps to offset costs attributed to student services applicable to upper-class undergraduate and second year stockbridge students. This fee is a one-time fee that is assessed to all students the first semester of their ‘senior’ year (first semester of the second year for stockbridge students), regardless of whether or not they intend to graduate the following semester.

Commonwealth Honors College Fee

The Commonwealth Honors College Fee helps to fund additional faculty, maintain small classes and provide exceptional learning experiences which distinguish the College, such as visiting authors and other special programs. This fee is assessed to all students enrolled in the Commonwealth Honors Program as of the end of the add/drop period.

Engineering Fee

The Engineering Fee is used by the School of Engineering to equip and operate instructional engineering equipment and laboratories. This fee is assessed to all students enrolled in an engineering program as of the end of the add/drop period.

International Fee

The International Fee supports the maintenance of undergraduate international students’ SEVIS immigration record with the Department of Homeland Security, immigration documentation issuance, advising services and cross-cultural programming. This fee is assessed each semester.

Isenberg School of Management Fee

The Isenberg School of Management Fee helps to fund the additional educational and career development and preparation services provided to Isenberg undergraduate business majors. The fee is assessed to all students enrolled in the Isenberg School of Management as of the end of the add/drop period. Current students who started at Isenberg before September 2016 are not subject to this new fee. Exploratory Track students are also not required to pay this fee; if an Exploratory Track student is admitted to Isenberg, they will be responsible for paying the fee from that point forward.

New Student Enrollment Fee (non-refundable)

The New Student Enrollment Fee supports activities and services applicable to students who are new to the University. This includes orientation programs provided and costs associated with a student’s initial enrollment. This fee is a one-time fee that is included on the student’s first semester bill. This fee is non-refundable, even if a student chooses not to attend offered programs.

Nursing Program Fee

The Nursing Program Fee is used by the School of Nursing to support services including high fidelity simulation, equipment, lab supplies, lab staff, software, student support for externships and job placement, and NCLEX/certification exam preparation support. This fee is a per credit fee assessed to enrolled in nursing courses as of the end of the add/drop period.

Student Activities Fee

The Student Activities Fee supports the undergraduate student government as well as over two hundred existing Registered Student Organizations on campus.

Technology Fee

The Technology Fee supports students’ evolving technology needs. The fee supports campus networking in classrooms and shared spaces. This includes wired and wireless network services and infrastructure improvements to accommodate the students growing network use. In addition, the fee also funds some classroom technology equipment updates and additional blue light emergency HELP phones.

Tuition

Tuition provides funding for the cost of providing your education and student experience on campus. Associated costs include instruction, student support services and operations and maintenance of facilities. Tuition also provides support for the health service centers on campus including an array of programs and services offered. Tuition revenues also contribute toward the University’s extensive transit system and provides access to intercollegiate athletic programs. Tuition amounts vary by credits and residency. Tuition rates are set and approved annually by the UMass Board of Trustees.

Graduate Fees

Continuous Enrollment Fee

Graduate students who are candidates for a degree are required to maintain enrollment each semester until that degree has been formally awarded. Failure to be properly enrolled will result in a student’s withdrawal at the end of the Late Registration Period. Graduate students who are not enrolled for course/thesis/dissertation credits must register for ‘Continuous Enrollment’ and pay the Continuous Enrollment Fee each semester.

Engineering Fee

The Engineering Fee is used by the School of Engineering to equip and operate instructional engineering equipment and laboratories. This fee is assessed to all students enrolled in an engineering program as of the end of the add/drop period.

Graduate Entering Fee

The Graduate Entering Fee supports costs and services associated with a student’s initial enrollment in a graduate program. This fee is a one-time fee per graduate degree program that is included on the student’s first semester bill.

Graduate Senate Tax Fee

The Graduate Senate Tax Fee supports graduate student government and its services and activities for graduate students. This fee is assessed to graduate students only; graduate students registered for ‘Continuous Enrollment’ are assessed 50% of the semester fee.

Service Fee

The Service Fee contributes to the service mission of the campus, including the extensive transit system. This fee varies by number of credits.

Student Health Fee

The student health fee entitles a student to be seen at our health service centers on campus and supports an array of programs and services. The student health fee is NOT insurance, and it charged to students enrolled in 5 or more credits.

Tuition

Tuition provides funding for the cost of providing your education and student experience on campus. Associated costs include instruction, student support services and operations and maintenance of facilities. Tuition amounts vary by credits and residency. Tuition rates are set and approved annually by the UMass Board of Trustees.

Other Fees

Child Care Fee (optional)

The Child Care Fee is a contribution to the child care assistance program on campus that provides eligible undergraduate parents assistance with paying child care costs. The child care fee is completely voluntary, and therefore can be waived if desired. Child care fees are waived through a student’s SPIRE access.

Class Materials Fee

The Class Materials Fee applies to certain courses. These fees covers the electronic books and materials necessary for this course. These materials are made available to the student once they are enrolled.

Lab Fees

Lab fees apply to certain courses. These fees are used to maintain and upgrade equipment and to provide consumable materials necessary for the course.

Education Abroad Fee

The Education Abroad Fee is used by the International Programs Office (IPO) to facilitate the many processes necessary for students who study abroad.  The fee is assessed to all students who study abroad on both UMass and Partner (non-UMass) programs.  

MassPIRG Fee (optional)

The MassPIRG Fee provides funds for the campus chapter of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group on environmental, consumer and governmental issues. The MassPIRG Fee is completely voluntary and can therefore be waived if desired. MassPIRG fees are waived through a student’s SPIRE access.

Meal Plan Fee

All undergraduate students living in non-apartment style campus residence halls are required to purchase a meal plan. Entering students who are going to live on campus are assigned and billed for the Unlimited Meal Plan. Freshman and Sophomore students living on campus have the choice of changing their meal plan to the Unlimited Plus or the DC Basic plan. Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors living on campus have the added choice of the YCMP Gold or Platinum meal plans. Graduate students, students living in the campus apartments, and students living off-campus may purchase any meal plan. More information about the available meal plans offered is available at the UMass Dining Services website.

Room Fees

Students who live on campus are assessed Room Fees. These fees fund the operation and maintenance of the residence halls. Fees are differential based on room assignment. The room fees do not include meal plan fees. Information about room options and other residential life information can be found on the Residential Life website.

Student Health Benefit Plan Fee

Massachusetts state law dictates that students enrolled at a college or University in the state carry comprehensive health insurances. All undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 5 or more credits will be automatically charged for the University’s Health Benefit Plan. Students covered under a comparable insurance policy (personal, parent or family) are eligible to waive the coverage the university provides. To do so, students much enter their insurance policy online. The waiver link is available on the SPIRE homepage (www.spire.umass.edu). This information must be provided each year. Students who fail to provide proof of health insurance through the online waiver process by the published deadline will be covered under the University’s Student Health Benefit Plan and will be unable to waive the fee.