Is there a difference between a fee-based and a state-funded degree program?
From a student perspective, almost no differences exist. • Students in a fee-based program are considered regular UW matriculated students; • Fee-based students must meet regular UW admission standards; • A degree earned through a fee-based program is a regular UW degree from a School or College; it looks exactly the same as a diploma from a state-funded program; and • Fee-based students have the same rights, responsibilities, and services as their state-funded counterparts. In most instances, however, fee-based degree students do follow a different process to apply, register and pay for their programs. From the University’s perspective, the difference is financial. Fee-based programs do not receive direct financial support from the State of Washington. Regular (non-fee-based) classes are funded by both students’ tuition and the State of Washington.
