Posted July 27, 2011
FEES AND TUITION
Q: I received a notice that registration fees were recently increased. What are the new fees and why have they been raised?
At its July 12 meeting, the CSU Board of Trustees increased tuition by an additional 12 percent effective in the Fall 2011 term. The board’s action was precipitated by legislative passage last month of a final state budget that cuts state funding to the CSU by $650 million for 2011-12. The legislature had already approved a $500 million cut to the CSU in March and added $150 million more when the governor could not get the two-thirds support needed to extend several temporary taxes that expired June 30.
Fall 2011 tuition fees have been increased in the additional amount of $294 for undergraduate students, $339 for credential program students, and $360 for graduate and post-baccalaureate students. These increases apply to students taking 6.1 or more units. Lower tuition fee increases apply to students taking 6.0 or fewer units. The tuition fee was not increased for Education Doctorate students at this time. A complete schedule of all fees, including campus based fees, is at http://www-admn.csun.edu/ucs/.
Because of the precarious budget situation, the Board will review at its meeting in November 2011 whether adequate funds have been provided by the Legislature and the Governor in the Budget Act, and to determine whether any additional fee increases will be required.
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. However, fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. CSU has reserved the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester has begun.
Q: When are the new fees due and what do I do if I already have paid?
Registered and paid: If you registered for classes and paid your total fees before July 20, 2011, you can expect to see the amount of the increase on your account (summary) under the charge type “Tuition and Other Fees.” Your “Transaction History” and “Current Balance Outstanding” will include the increase. Your Student Account history will display the increase as a separate line item, which will be due on August 22, 2011*, as indicated on your account. You should check your account regularly. For additional information on fee payments please go to http://www-admn.csun.edu/ucs/ and click on “Tuition and Fees Fall 2011” for due dates.
If you registered for your classes after July 10, 2011 but before July 20, 2011, your Student Account history will display the increase as a separate line item. You will have until August 22, 2011* to pay the “Current Balance Outstanding,“ which includes the increase. For additional information on fee payments please go tohttp://www-admn.csun.edu/ucs/ and click on “Tuition and Fees Fall 2011” for due dates.
If you register for classes on July 20, 2011 through August 21, 2011, the increase will be incorporated in your total “Tuition and Fees” and not displayed as a separate line item on your Student Account history. You will have until August 21, 2011 to pay the “Current Balance Outstanding. For additional information on fee payments please go to http://www-admn.csun.edu/ucs/ and click on “Tuition and Fees Fall 2011” for due dates.
*Note that you will not be disenrolled solely for failure to pay the Board of Trustees approved Fall 2011 fee increase by the due date indicated on your account. However, students with outstanding account balances will be unable to register for the Spring 2012 semester until the Fall 2011 semester fees are paid in full.
Below are links to the messages that were sent to students on July 15 and 19, 2011, regarding the recent fee increases. They have been included here as additional information regarding the fee increases.
REGISTERING FOR CLASSES
Q: Has the budget affected course availability?
We are adding additional seats for Fall 2011 classes so that students may enroll in and complete additional coursework. During the first phase of Fall 2011 registration (registration by appointment), students were limited to a maximum of of 13 units. However, during non-restricted registration (from July 18, 2011 through the third week of Fall classes) students will be able to add units, up to a total of 19.) (Note: Graduating seniors and students enrolled in certain cohort programs are exempt from these restrictions.) For more information about unit limits, individual course waiting lists, permission numbers and other related issues please visit the Office of Undergraduate Studies’ Policies to access important information about these policy changes.
FINANCIAL AID ADJUSTMENTS
Q: Is there financial aid to cover the increase in fees?
If you are a Financial Aid recipient, the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department will adjust your 2010-11 financial aid Cost of Attendance to reflect the newly established fees.
Students with State University Grant (SUG) awards will see their grant adjusted to reflect the new State University Fee. Students will receive an updated award letter before the start of the Spring semester.
It is not yet known whether the additional increase in fees will be covered by the Cal Grant award. The California state budget process will determine the amount of Cal Grants for the CSU. If a change occurs in the Cal Grant award students will receive an updated award letter at the time the change is implemented. Students who have been awarded only loans may see a change in their award package due to the adjustment to their Cost of Attendance. Students will receive an updated award letter if changes occur. Students do not need to contact the Department of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Students who have not yet been awarded will have all adjustments reflected in their future award packages.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
Q: Has the current budget environment affected academic policies?
No. However, changes have been made in a number of policies such as registration unit limits, eligibility to repeat a class, academic probation and disqualification, adding or changing majors and/or minors and disenrollment. Please familiarize yourself with these changes and others related to academic progress by visiting the Office of Undergraduate Studies' Policies website or the Campus Budget News page.
Q: Why do I have to wait until the Thursday before the start of classes (August 25) to add a class that I want to repeat?
The new repeat policy allows every student to have one chance in a class before any student has multiple chances. This Fall 2011, classes will begin on Monday, August 29. Students who want to repeat courses must wait until August 25, 2011 to enroll in a class they wish to repeat. Enrollment may be done in SOLAR without permission numbers until the semester begins. After August 22, permission numbers will be needed. See questions 4 and 5 in the section above on "Registering for Classes" for additional information.
ADMISSIONS
Q: What is Intent to Register?
In order to monitor the number of students attending CSUN, the university requires that all first-time students electronically indicate their Intent to Register.
Q: What is the deadline for students to indicate their Intent to Register?
May 2, 2011 was the deadline for first time freshmen, July 1, 2011 was the DEADLINE for first-time transfer students to indicate their Intent to Register through the myNorthridge portal. Learn more at http://www.csun.edu/anr/soc/guides/intentregister.html.
Q: What if I didn't comply with this requirement by the deadline?
You will not be able to attend CSUN in Fall 2011.
Q: Can I appeal this decision?
No, the deadline to file the Intent to Register is absolute. University policy and practices have made deviation from the deadlines impossible.
Q: Can I reapply/apply to CSUN for Spring 2012?
Please check the Admissions and Records website below for additional information as it becomes available: /admissions-records/admissions-calendar.
EPT/ELM TESTS (RELEVANT TO FALL 2011 FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN)
Q: What are the EPT/ELM tests?
The California State University system requires that each entering First Time Freshman, except those who qualify for an exemption, take these CSU placement exams prior to enrollment in classes. They are a condition of enrollment. Learn more at: http://www.csun.edu/testing/placement/.
Q: When can I take the test(s)?
The EPT/ELM tests are offered year-round at various CSU campuses and at ALL CSU campuses in March, May and June. The specific test dates and registration deadlines for each campus are listed online along with the addresses and phone numbers of the individual Testing Offices. For a complete listing, check the CSU EPT/ELM Information bulletin (www.ets.org/csu). Pay close attention to the registration deadline listed by each test date since your registration must reach the testing office by the registration deadline.
Students may take the test at the most convenient CSU campus. Online registration is available at most campuses. If you wish to take the EPT at CSUN, online registration is available (www.csun.edu/testing/reg/). May 07, 2011 was the DEADLINE for completing the EPT/ELM requirement. Results from EPT/ELM tests taken after May 07, 2011 will not be accepted at CSU Northridge for the Fall 2011 semester.
Q: What happens if I missed the deadline?
You will not be able to attend CSUN in Fall 2011 as a First-Time Freshman unless you were exempt from the test(s) because of high SAT or ACT scores, AP tests or completion of certain EAP courses in high school.
Q: I never heard about the EPT/ELM requirement. Why can't I take it later?
There are numerous opportunities to take these placements exams throughout the application cycle. The requirement was communicated to all prospective freshmen in many forms-- letters, email, websites, etc.
Q: What are my options if I missed the EPT/ELM test?
You may want to consider attending a community college. You can transfer to CSU Northridge after you have earned 60 units and after you complete your basic subjects and lower division general education courses OR
You can request CSU Northridge to move your application from Fall 2011 to another term. To make this request, complete the form at:http://www.csun.edu/anr/forms/newterm.pdf.
* Note that a request to forward your application to a future term is not a guarantee of admission.