Student Fee Advisory Committee
About the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC)
The Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) is the primary body for student input on how student fees are allocated to support campus services and programs. SFAC advises the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success (VCSAS) and provides direct recommendations on the use of the Student Services Fee, Student Programs Fee, campus-based referenda fees, certain Miscellaneous Fees, and the Seismic and Life Safety Fee.
Each year, the VCSAS charges SFAC with specific activities and areas of analysis. The committee’s core responsibilities include:
- Gathering student input on the use and impact of student fees
- Reviewing and assessing programs funded by student fees
- Recommending funding priorities to the VCSAS
- Advising on broader questions related to student services and support
To learn more about SFAC’s current work, view the 2025–2026 charge letter.
SFAC Membership
SFAC voting members include 10 undergraduate students, 2 graduate students, one staff-at-large representative, and one Provost representative. There are also non-voting members from the Student Union Assembly, Division of Student Affairs and Success, and Planning and Budget. Contact your SFAC representative with questions, concerns, and ideas. If you are interested in becoming a member of SFAC, please contact larojas@ucsc.edu.
TBD
Oakes College
Representative
Meetings
SFAC meets weekly during the academic year. Meetings are open to the public, and all students are welcome to attend. Each meeting begins with a public comment period, providing an opportunity for any student to share feedback or ask questions. Join us via Zoom and be part of the conversation.
Fall 2025 meetings are scheduled on Mondays from 3:30 – 5 p.m. between Oct. 6 and Dec. 1. For meeting location or Zoom information, please contact sfac@ucsc.edu.
Agendas and minutes are posted weekly to keep our community informed.
Annual funding call
The Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) is pleased to announce its 2025-2026 funding call. Members of the campus community are invited to submit proposals for Student Services Fee and Equity in Mental Health funds. The call provides an opportunity to request support for programs and services that enhance student life, well-being, and success. SFAC will carefully review all proposals and make funding recommendations based on impact, alignment with student needs, and available resources.
Applications are due Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Attendance at one of four Funding Call Orientation Workshops is required (no individual meetings or make up sessions will be provided so please plan ahead to attend one of the four sessions:
- Friday, October 31st from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Join session on Zoom
- Saturday, November 8th from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Join session on Zoom
- Thursday, November 13th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Join session on Zoom
- Friday, November 21st from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Join session on Zoom
Funding Call Resources:
- 2025-2026 Funding Call Memorandum
- 2025-2026 Budget Template
- 2025-2026 Application Form (Google Form)
- 2025-2026 Application Template (download a copy to help with planning your proposal)
- Resources for Awardees
- Funding Call Appeal Process
- Summary of 2024-2025 Funding Awards
Reports and resources
SFAC is guided by UC and campus policies that govern the use of student fees. These policies help ensure that student fee funds are used responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with student needs and institutional priorities. To promote accountability, SFAC publishes annual reports that provide insight into how the Student Services Fee and Measure 7 are supporting the student experience at UC Santa Cruz.
Explore the policies and reports below to learn more about the governance and impact of student fees.
Annual Reports:
2023-2024 Student Services Fee Report (SSF)
About Student Fees
The following information outlines the different types of fees that students pay as part of their overall cost of attendance, including mandatory tuition and Student Services Fees as well as campus-based fees voted on and passed by students through referenda measures. Other types of fees include course materials fees, summer fees, and miscellaneous fees.
Types of fees paid by students
Tuition
UC-wide mandatory fee for all students set by The Regents used to support student financial aid and related programs, admissions, registration, administration, libraries, operations and maintenance of physical plant of the campus, the University’s operating budget, and all costs related to instruction and faculty salaries. Nonresident Supplemental Tuition is a UC-wide mandatory fee set by The Regents and charged to undergraduate and graduate students who are not residents of California. Review the current fees for undergraduate and graduate students (through the Registrar’s Office).
Student services fees
UC-wide mandatory fee for all students set by The Regents used to support a variety of non-instructional student service activities such as counseling and mental health services, academic advising, tutorial assistance, cultural and recreation programs, and capital improvements, which provide extracurricular benefits for students.
Campus-based fees
Campus-based mandatory fees (also known as referendum) are initiated and approved by students via a student referendum (through the campus elections process) and later approved by The Regents; fees are a condition of enrollment. The type of fees and fee levels vary between undergraduate and graduate students based on the terms of the referendum, and the revenues must be used in accordance with the referendum language. The fees help to support student programming and activities, student facilities, student transportation, student government, childcare, and student health. Campus fees may also be assessed by the Chancellor for safety related reasons such as seismic upgrades for campus buildings.
Miscellaneous & course materials fees
User fees, service charges, or fines assessed to cover the cost of services and materials, which are not mandatory as a condition of enrollment and are only charged to students and others when they actually use the service (e.g., application fees, duplicate diplomas fee, course material fees, lab use fees, etc.).
Find more information about the Miscellaneous and Course Fee Advisory Committee.