Student Activities Fee

What is the Student Activites Fee?

The Student Activities Fee is charged each quarter (Autumn, Winter, and Spring) to all students enrolled in degree-granting programs, unless they are on a Leave of Absence. Co-terminal students billed as undergraduates are assessed the undergraduate fee.

The fee is part of your billed expenses and included in the cost of attendance at Stanford. Because of this, the Financial Aid Office includes the fee in your need-based financial aid, similar to tuition and other mandatory fees.

The funds collected support undergraduate and graduate student organizations, initiatives, and events throughout the year. Annual Grant allocations are approved each Spring by student vote, and additional funding is distributed weekly by the ASSU legislative bodies.

Can I waive the fee?

Yes. Students may waive part or all of their Student Activities Fee.

‍However, there are important considerations:
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1. Impact on funding: Waiving your fee reduces the pool of money available for student organizations, since budgets are based on the previous Spring elections.
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2. Impact on participation: By waiving, you are confirming that you do not intend to participate in or become a member of organizations, events, activities, or services supported by the Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU).
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3. Impact on financial aid: If you receive financial aid, the fee is already covered in your package. If you submit a wavier, the fee amount will be removed from your aid package and returned to the general financial aid pool. No direct refund is issued.

When can I waive the fee?

The waiver portal is open from Week 1 through Friday of Week 3 (at 5:00 pm) each quarter.

Late or retroactive waivers will NOT be processed. The only exceptions are for students who enroll after the study list deadline and are billed late.

What happens after I waive?

Student Financial Services will post the waiver credit (along with any late fee adjustment) to your student account by Week 6 of the quarter.

For Fall 2025, Week 6 is Oct 27 - Oct 31.

Student organization leaders (as listed in CardinalEngage) may request a list of students who waived their contributions to their group’s Annual Grant.
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If you encounter any issues or have questions, please submit a ServiceNow Help Ticket before the waiver deadline.

Please read the Q&A above before submitting a waiver.