What fees do I pay?
All graduate workers pay fees. The University classifies these as “mandatory fees.” This academic year, graduate workers on 9 semester credit hours in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will pay over $750 this year. International students are required to pay additional fees. For the year 2025-2026, all first semester and returning students are required to pay $250 per fall and spring semesters and $67.50 per summer semesters. In addition to these fees, first semester international students are required to pay an additional $325 fee their first semester.
Where do my fees go?
The University alleges that many of the fees we pay are used to support the maintenance of buildings, staffing, new construction projects, discounted tickets for art and culture events, and other professional development services. However, they are vague about how they spend the money we pay them every semester. What we do know is that the University profits off of our poverty, charging graduate workers to allegedly fund campus facilities that no employee should have to pay for.
Have graduate workers won fee reductions before?
Yes! When we organized and fought back against fees, COGS successfully won a 25% and later a 50% reduction in mandatory fees, which is what we currently pay.
Does this happen at other universities?
Many universities charge their graduate workers fees, but many graduate worker unions have won campaigns to significantly reduce them or end them completely, including Indiana University, University of Michigan, University of Illinois, UChicago and Michigan State University.
What can I do to help us win an end to fees?
You should join one of our committees to work to end the fees at their upcoming meetings. Become a member of the union so you can have a voice in how we continue the fight.