Eligibility
All academic and non-academic units are eligible to propose a new Miscellaneous Student Fee (MSF) for the fiscal year following the proposal year (i.e., a proposal submitted in FY2025-26 is for a MSF beginning in FY2026-27).
Proposal Process
Proposals for new MSFs are evaluated and approved on an ad hoc basis, with the review process typically requiring three months to complete.
Departments interested in proposing a new MSF should work with their Divisional Finance Leaders (DFLs) to complete the Miscellaneous Student Fee proposal form and return it to studentfees@berkeley.edu. Submissions must also be reviewed and approved by the department's DFL and Dean or Vice Chancellor.
After submission, proposals are reviewed by the Financial Planning & Analysis team and the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Student Services and Fees (CACSSF), which is comprised of students, faculty, and staff. During either review, proposers may be asked to provide additional information or to revise and resubmit the proposal. Once a final recommendation has been made by CACSSF, the proposals are presented to the Chancellor for approval.
Proposal Timeline
Proposals are subject to ad hoc review by the FP&A team and the CACSSF, followed by final approval from the Chancellor. This process generally requires three months to complete.
Approved MSFs are published on the Vice Chancellor of Finance and CFO's website.
Allowable Costs
MSFs may be used to cover the cost of providing non-instructional services or materials to students, including replacement or repair costs of equipment, such as:
- Rental fees for use of university facilities and equipment
- Materials costs
- Administrative service charges
- Printer usage fees
- Late fees
Disallowed Costs
MSFs cannot be used to cover instructional or other costs directly related to the provision of state-supported courses. To propose such a fee, refer to Course Materials and Services Fees instead.
Contact
Please contact studentfees@berkeley.edu with questions.