MADISON, Wis. (AP) - University of Wisconsin System leaders eliminated a surcharge Friday for most students who accumulate too many credits.
The regents established a policy in 2002 that imposes a surcharge on students who accumulate 165 credits or 30 credits more than required to graduate from their program, whichever is greater. The fee is equal to 100% of resident tuition.
UW schools collect about $100,000 in revenue from the surcharge annually, with most of the money coming from UW-Milwaukee and UW-Whitewater, system officials wrote in a memo to regents.
But the memo cites a 2018 study that found such surcharges don’t improve graduation outcomes and increase student debt, creating a substantial financial burden for students.
The regents approved eliminating the surcharge except at UW-Madison . Officials at the flagship university still feel the fee spurs students to finish their degrees quickly, the memo said. The decision was unanimous and there was no discussion.
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