Fees Descriptions & Policies

The Health component of the Comprehensive Service Fee was instituted in the fall of 1991 by the SUNY Board of Trustees in an effort to provide student health services to SUNY campuses. Supported services now include student health care, counseling services, and health promotion programs and services that support student well-being. At the University at Albany, services covered by the health component of the Comprehensive Service Fee are provided by three campus departments- Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and the Office of Health Promotion.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will be exempt from this fee component: Exclusively Online; Internships - Credit-Bearing Not Located in Albany or Capital District Area - 4 Counties (Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer); Washington Semester Program; Study Abroad; Non-Credit-Bearing IELP Courses Accessed From Outside of the Country; Certificate Programs - Non-Credit Bearing; and Continuing Education - Non-Credit Bearing. 

Student Health Services 

Student Health Services promotes optimal physical health and well-being that supports the success of our students and life-long healthy habits. Student Health Services serves all registered undergraduate and graduate students by providing a wide array of consistent, high quality primary care medical services throughout the calendar year. Visits to Student Health Services are free to registered students. Some services require a small charge, such as in-house laboratory testing, medical equipment and immunizations. 

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Provides a range of services from prevention-focused education, episodic care for chronic medical conditions and acute (urgent) medical treatment of illnesses/injuries with referral to specialists as appropriate  
• Offers medical care to the University at Albany students
• Educates students with regard to health-related issues including testing and screening for communicable diseases including Influenza, MMR, and STIs
• Maintains a campus where the risk of threatening communicable disease is minimized consistent with the goals and objectives of the New York State Department of Health 
• Provides a skill set enabling conscientious use of medical services fostering the mindset of a mature healthcare consumer 
• Guides campus departments regarding medical or health related issues as they pertain to the student environment 
• Offers referrals to specialists as appropriate 
• Facilitates medical withdrawals from the University 
• Plays an integral role in campus-wide emergency planning as it relates to physical health 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding Student Health Services.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) 

CAPS assists registered undergraduate and graduate students in resolving personal issues and developing the emotional, intellectual and interpersonal skills to enhance academic success and personal well-being. CAPS offers a broad range of psychological services including counseling, prevention, and health promotion services that are culturally inclusive, accessible, and tailored to the evolving needs of our diverse student body. It also provides health promotion and prevention services to our campus and consultative and referral services to staff, faculty, and parents. All visits to the CAPS are free to registered students. 

Services include individual and couples counseling, group counseling, psychiatry, consultation and referrals. A range of therapy groups, support groups and skill-building groups will be offered this semester. For more information, visit the CAPS website. All CAPS services are confidential and free. To set up an appointment, students should call CAPS at 518-442-5800 or email [email protected].

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Assists University at Albany students in developing coping skills regarding academics, career decisions, and personal concerns 
• Offers culturally competent individual and group counseling services to University at Albany students in seven languages - English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Italian, Urdu, and American Sign Language 
• Provides timely and responsive consultation services to students, parents and families, faculty and staff members, academic and other University departments, and health service providers in person and via telephone and email 
• Presents educational programs at New Student Orientation and in first year experience classes, residence halls and apartments, and to fraternities and sororities, student-athletes, cultural groups, and other audiences by request 
• Offers on-demand access to web-based self-assessment, self-care and wellness information 
• Integrates mental health related topics into academic curricula 
• Provides triage and emergency assistance to students in acute distress 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding Counseling and Psychological Services.

Office of Health Promotion

The Office of Health Promotion promotes the behavioral health of University at Albany students by advancing innovative, evidence-based practices that focus on alcohol and other drug use, mental health promotion, and positive psychology, thereby enhancing the academic and personal success of our diverse student body.

The Office uses a comprehensive public health approach to support the well-being of students. Staff members collaborate with Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Health Services and other partners across the University and in the community to bring quality services and programs to the campus community. 

Advocacy services is available to support students who have experienced trauma. We can help you: 

• Process experiences of violence and harm in a supportive but non-clinical manner 
• Weigh options and outcomes of possible action steps 
• Create a safety plan and arrange accommodations  
• Meet with campus administrators and communicate with professors 
• Navigate other available resources 

Call the Office of Health Promotion at 518-956-8477. Our office is located in Seneca Hall's basement on Indigenous Quad, which is on the Uptown Campus.

Student Benefit / Impact 

• Provides the highest quality of services that promote the behavioral health of students, including health education and peer wellness coaching 
• Delivers “Theme” weeks and special programs such as Alcohol Awareness Week, World Suicide Prevention Week, and Sexuality Month, among others 
• Administers annual campus-wide student health surveys to ensure that services are responsive to student needs 
• Provides professional oversight of the nationally-recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program as well as Project SHAPE: Sexual Health and Peer Education 
• Provides advisement, consultation, co-sponsorship, and other support to student groups interested in delivering programs and events focused on health, well-being, and resilience 
• Provides training opportunities in behavioral health at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels through credit-bearing academic courses, internships, and research opportunities 
• Promotes the health of University at Albany students through campus-wide programs and services that focus on preventing mental health risks, alcohol and other drug misuse, and related risk behaviors 
• Contributes to scholarship addressing best practices to support behavioral health and well-being of college students, both within the university and on a national scale 
• Provides national leadership in translational research focused on college student behavioral health through intervention development, evaluation, and dissemination efforts 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding Office of Health Promotion services. 

2021-2022 Health & Counseling Fee Projected Expenditures

University Parking & Mass Transit Services provides transportation for 2.2 million riders per year with unlimited student access to bus services that operate 7 days a week across 204 different routes throughout the Capital Region. The UAlbany transit service system is designed to provide the University community with access to campus facilities, students with the ability to commute and visitors the opportunity to participate in University activities. 

The transportation component of the Comprehensive Service Fee supports UAlbany transit service operations including the purchase, operation and maintenance of University mass transit vehicles, a universal service contract with the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) and regulatory requirements in a variety of commuter choices.

Graduate students who are members of GSEU are exempt from this fee component.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will also be exempt from this fee component: Exclusively Online; Internships - Credit-Bearing Not Located in Albany or Capital District Area - 4 Counties (Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer); Washington Semester Program; Study Abroad; Non-Credit-Bearing IELP Courses Accessed From Outside of the Country; Certificate Programs - Non-Credit Bearing; and Continuing Education - Non-Credit Bearing. 

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Unlimited use of UAlbany operated Mass Transit Services to facilitate student travel to and from classes, libraries, and meetings. Available 7 days a week during the Spring and Fall semesters and 5 days a week during Spring, Summer, and Winter breaks. 

• Unlimited access to CDTA bus services at no charge seven days a week on all routes. Note that CDTA access becomes inactive 1 week after each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) if not registered for classes during next semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). 

• Modern and safe transit vehicles equipped with transit style seating and windows, GPS, air conditioning, bike racks, destination signage, and accessibility features 

• In support of UN Commitment to Sustainable Practices in Higher Education, UAlbany fleet includes 3 sustainable electric-hybrid buses 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding campus-wide services, parking regulations, bus and shuttle schedules, directions and visitor parking. 

2021-2022 Transportation Fee Projected Expenditures

Information Technology Services 

Information Technology Services (ITS) provides a variety of technologies to support the academic, research and business needs of the institution. The Technology component of the Comprehensive Service Fee supports the infrastructure, information systems and applications to provide students, faculty and staff with a rich learning environment.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will be exempt from this fee component: non-credit-bearing IELP courses accessed from out of the country; non-credit-bearing certificate and continuing education programs. 

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Access to University-wide wireless network 
• A personal UAlbany account used to access a wide range of campus IT services, including a UAlbany Mail (email) account 
• Student computing sites in all three University Libraries, with computers, software, printing available 
• ITS Service Desk assistance on the uptown and downtown campuses (drop in, by phone, or submitting a ticket) 
• Personal file storage and sharing, including Microsoft OneDrive and S:drive 
• Blackboard Learning System, which includes a mobile app and 24-hour technical support 
• MyUAlbany portal for conducting University business
• Web conferencing services 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding Information Technology Services.

University Libraries 

The University Libraries strengthen and enhance the teaching, research and service of the University at Albany by developing collections, facilitating access to information resources, teaching the effective use of information resources and critical evaluation skills and offering research assistance.  

The Technology component of the Comprehensive Service Fee supports the library technological needs of UAlbany students, faculty and staff by allowing implementation of innovative technologies and services to deliver information and scholarly resources conveniently to users anytime and anyplace. The Comprehensive Service Fee also supports well-equipped and functional physical spaces where students can pursue independent learning and discovery outside the classroom.  

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Circulation, interlibrary loan, and document delivery services supports the research and teaching needs of the University’s academic community by expanding a range of materials beyond the collections of the University Libraries. 
• The Libraries provide a total of 33 group study rooms for campus community use.  Many of the rooms are well-equipped with a PC, speakers, tables and chairs, and a whiteboard. Some include a wall-mounted flat screen monitor for collaborative work. 
• The Innovate, Make, Create Center (IMC) assists the campus in web design, digital recording and editing, sophisticated image editing, and the creation of PDF files, among other activities. Video chat rooms and a presentation practice room, complete with green screen, can also be reserved. 
• Library photocopying and printing services are available to the campus community via the SUNYCard system. Book scanners are available in all three libraries. 
• The library laptop lending service offers a total of 38 laptops available for students, faculty, and staff use. The IMC lends camcorders, cameras, microphones, and other equipment for student and faculty use. 
• Libraries’ staff continuously seek to adopt emerging technologies and incorporate these to create more efficient and meaningful library services. 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding University Libraries services and initiatives.

2021-2022 Technology Fee Projected Expenditures

Established in 2010, Recreation & Wellness provides diverse, stimulating and engaging recreational opportunities that enrich the UAlbany experience. We empower our community to lead healthy lifestyles by fostering an environment that supports physical, mental and social growth. The department offers a wide variety of programs including Aquatics, Fitness & Wellness, Group Exercise, Outdoor Pursuits, Intramural Sports, and Club Sports. Club Sports are managed in partnership with the Student Association.

Graduate students do not pay the Recreation and Campus Life Fee.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will be exempt from this Fee: Exclusively Online; Internships - Credit-Bearing Not Located in Albany or Capital District Area - 4 Counties (Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer); Washington Semester Program; Study Abroad; Non-Credit-Bearing IELP Courses Accessed From Outside of the Country; Certificate Programs - Non-Credit Bearing; and Continuing Education - Non-Credit Bearing. IELP students on campus who are interested in use of Recreation facilities and programs may contact Recreation & Wellness to inquire about membership rates. 

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Stimulates student recruitment and retention 
• Fosters leadership skills through participation in activities 
• Increases visibility and exposure to the UAlbany campus 
• Promotes interaction across a number of college campuses 
• Contributes to overall student health and well being 
• Offers student employment opportunities through internships and grad assistantships 
• Enhances exposure to professional development 
• Heightens sense of campus community and campus pride 
• Encourages student involvement opportunities promoting a good quality of campus life 
• Provides a platform for social interaction 
• Builds self-esteem 
• Reduces stress and promotes relaxation 
• Enhances overall life skills 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding the facilities, schedules, programs and staff.

2021-2022 Recreation & Wellness Fee Projected Expenditures

The Campus Life fee supports efforts to create a collegiate co-curricular experience for students that supports resilience, a sense of belonging and the campus community while creating a vibrant campus environment with a variety of activities available for students on a daily basis. The Office of Student Involvement provides oversight for this fee and strives to meet the multi-dimensional needs of students utilizing a University-wide programming model that is learning outcome driven to meet students where they are intellectually, emotionally and physically. 

Programs supported by this fee include: 

• Daily programming on campus and in the living areas 
• Consistent small scale evening programs in a variety of locations 
• Occasional large scale programming in a central campus location 
• Class year oriented programming - programs targeted to Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors 
• Niche programming for populations identified as in need of support 

Enhanced or new initiatives sponsored by Departments to enrich the student experience across one of our four learning domains 

In addition to general programming, a portion of the fee supports intercultural education and events, fraternity & sorority life, leadership development and the hub of student life: The Campus Center, which in turn will improve the quality of campus life, and the quality of programming offered to students by student organizations. 

The fee may support a variety of programs, including but not limited to: 

• Athletic Events - Provide support to enhance the student experience at on-campus athletic events as well as transportation and discounted tickets to students for tournament and high profile away games. 
• Bus Trips (Regional) - Arrange bus trips to take students on day trips to surrounding cities and attractions. 
• Campus Center Connections - Operating daily programs in the Campus Center. 
• Campus Traditions - Support traditions such as: Candle lighting, Torch Night, Homecoming, Relay for Life, Clash of the Quads, FairWell, etc. 
• Coffee House Open Mic - Provides an open microphone and a relaxed, welcoming space for artistic and cultural expression by our students. 
• Comedy Shows - Annual University Programming Board comedy show. 
• Cultural Programming - Increase diverse programming offered on campus. 
• Leadership Development - Leadership workshops, conferences and programs for students including cultural exchanges both here and abroad. 
• Great Dane Welcome - A series of programs and events held during the first six weeks of the Fall semester for students. Events can include performers, dance parties, game shows, etc. 
• Podium Series (weekly) - Free events that feature giveaways. The series serves to promote the University Programming Board and upcoming events while providing an engaging atmosphere on campus. 
• Programming Grants - Grants will be available to various entities on campus to help support their events. 
• Senior Week - Every Spring the Graduating Class will have events to celebrate their years at UAlbany and their upcoming commencement. 
• Speakers - Motivational/Leadership speakers will be brought to campus to speak with our students including support of the University Speaker Series. 
• Student Organization and Student Government Support - Helps provide support, mentorship and risk management for our over 300 student organizations as they provide over a thousand events and programs for students annually. 
• UAlbany Live - Concert Series bringing live bands to campus with music from national, regional and local artists. 

Campus Life Resources

• Programming Board
• Student Organization Resource Center (SORC)
• Follow UAlbanyGO on Instagram.
• Follow Campus Center on Instagram.
• Contact Intercultural Student Engagement (ISE):
  • Intercultural Student Engagement: [email protected]
  • Multicultural Resource Center: [email protected]
  • Gender & Sexuality Resource Center: [email protected]
  • Interfaith Center: [email protected]
  • Women’s Resource Center: [email protected]
  • CHARGE Peer Educator Program at [email protected]
• Follow the Center for Leadership & Service on Instagram
• EngageUAlbany Platform

Student Access: Detailed information on Campus Life. 

2021-2022 Campus Life Fee Projected Expenditures

In 1999, UAlbany began competing as an NCAA Division I program and joined the American East Conference in 2002. This partnership has expanded UAlbany athletics program to 18 varsity sports with approximately 500 male and female athletes competing at the Division I level. The Intercollegiate Athletics Fee supports the growth of a diverse academic environment that provides all university students with access to safe athletic and recreational facilities, encourages athletes to reach their full academic and athletic potential, while fostering a sense of community and campus pride.

Graduate students do not pay the Athletics Fee.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will be exempt from this Fee: IELP, Non-Credit-Bearing IELP Courses Accessed From Out of the Country; Certificate Programs - Non-Credit Bearing; and Continuing Education - Non-Credit Bearing. 

Student Benefits / Impact 

• Provides an equitable, balanced and broad-based athletics program for all student-athlete participants and the University at Albany Community. 
• Supports academic component of University by providing practicums, internships and graduate assistantships. 
• Strengthens campus recruitment and retention 
• Expands diversity to campus population 
• Delivers sense of community and campus pride 
• Promotes quality of student life 
• Provides entertainment options to the Capital Region and the University Community 
• Increases access to state-of-the-art recreational facilities that are functional, aesthetically consistent with other university facilities, safe and comfortable for student-athlete participants, staff, spectators and community users 
• Arranges scholarships for UAlbany athletes 
• Offers student-athletes opportunity to play a key role in community services for at-risk youth, non-profit agencies and public schools in the Capital Region 
• Supports the department’s ability to hire diverse and qualified staff of coaches and administrators to ensure achievement of student-athletes. 
• Indirect programmatic support includes travel, equipment, and supplies purchases pertaining to various Athletics operations. 

Student Access: Detailed information regarding sports Athletics mission, sports offered and scheduling. 

2021-2022 Intercollegiate Athletic Fee Projected Expenditures

The University Fee provides supplemental support for the academic mission of the University. Mandatory for all students.

Prior to Fall 2016, this Fee was non-refundable for course withdrawals bearing an official drop/withdrawal date of the first day of the session or later. Effective Fall 2016, financial liability for this fee follows the same schedule as tuition.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will be exempt from this Fee: Non-Credit-Bearing IELP Courses Accessed From Out of the Country; Certificate Programs - Non-Credit Bearing; and Continuing Education - Non-Credit Bearing. 

The Academic Excellence Fee is mandatory for all SUNY students attending a University Center. The funds are used to provide resources necessary for maintaining quality academic and student success programs. More information on the Academic Excellence Fee.

Effective Fall 2017, the following student populations will be exempt from this Fee: IELP, Non-Credit-Bearing IELP Courses Accessed From Out of the Country; Certificate Programs - Non-Credit Bearing; and Continuing Education - Non-Credit Bearing. 

Beginning in their first semester students will have the ability to engage in the career exploration and development process. Working with career professionals and peer advisors, students will embark on their career journey and identify interests and strengths, build necessary skills, and learn how to set goals. Students will have increased programming and workshops as well as networking and engagement opportunities.  This will enable them to develop strong connections with employers and alumni to help them further develop and reach their career goals. 

Students will also have 24/7 access to technology that allows them to explore different careers, identify and access jobs and internships, and prepare for interviews. The critical career development skills that students acquire during their years at UAlbany will help them transition to the workplace and be beneficial through their entire lives.

This optional fee helps fun the Student-Alumni Partnership, which allows students to tap into a network of more than 145,000 alumni and take advantage of the numerous programs designed to help students gain business, professional and leadership skills. From networking and spirit events to scholarship opportunities, the Partnership is designed to help students make the most of their UAlbany experience.  

If you do not wish to support the Partnership, you must opt out each semester by the published deadline by completing the Student-Alumni Partnership Opt-Out Request. 

This charge must be paid each semester by all undergraduates and graduates, matriculated and non-matriculated, taking six or more credits who do not elect to opt out by the due date. You may authorize the University to pay your Student-Alumni charge with your Federal Financial Aid. 

These fees are mandatory for all students. They support most services available from Student Health Services, as well as the maintenance and development of technology and electronic resources on campus. 

This optional fee is a contribution to the University's student-volunteer ambulance service corps.  

Students who register for select courses — such as certain lab and art classes — will be charged course fees, which are solely used to support the additional costs for materials, supplies and special services related to the course. Please visit the Per-credit Tuition Rates page for specific course fees.

Student Activity Fee: This mandatory fee is paid by undergraduate students to fund the groups, programs and activities of the Student Association.

Class Dues: This optional fee helps pay for undergraduate class-specific (for example, Class of 2023) events and activities. It also provides students with voting privileges in class elections. 

One-Time New Student Fee: The One-Time New Student Fee supports UAlbany undergraduate students throughout their undergraduate careers. Programs supported by this fee include: 

• Two-day Orientation program for all non-EOP freshman students 

• Transfer Advisement sessions and Transfer Orientation for all incoming transfer students 

• Connect2UAlbany programming for first- and second-year students 

• Prepare4Success programming for third- and fourth-year students 

• Online Orientation entitled Great Dane Beginnings 

• Student Success Center programming 

The New Student Fee is mandatory for all new undergraduate students, excluding online degree candidates, IELP, Certificate Programs, Continuing Education and EOP. The fee is non-refundable. For more information, visit Orientation and Transition Programs.  

Graduate Student Association Fee: This fee supports the programs, activities and services of the Graduate Student Association.

Graduate Student Employee Union (GSEU) Comprehensive Service Fee: Graduate students who are represented by the GSEU by the applicable deadline are charged this mandatory fee. GSEU status is provided by the Office of Human Resources Management.

International Health Insurance Fee: International health insurance is mandatory for international students, scholars on F and J visas, and students studying abroad. This fee provides comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, generally incurred off-campus, arising from covered accidents and sicknesses. Learn more about eligibility for insurance waivers.

Medical Evacuation Fee: This fee is mandatory for international students, scholars on F and J visas, and students studying abroad. It provides medical evacuation and repatriation benefits.

SEVIS Fee: This fee is mandatory for international students and scholars on F and J visas. It supports compliance with federal mandates for reporting and tracking international students and scholars, and is non-refundable for course withdrawals bearing an official drop/withdrawal date of the first day of the semester or later.

The University's SEVIS Fee should not be confused with the $200 SEVIS Fee paid by visa applicants. Learn more about the SEVIS Fee.