Graduate Differential Tuition Assessment

Apply for graduate differential tuition—whether for a first-time request or a subsequent request—by completing the Graduate Differential Tuition Application Form, available on the Provost and Executive Vice President’s website.

If you are creating a new degree program and wish to request differential tuition, you must complete this form.

The creation of a specialization or the modification of the original program in any way, including a name/code change, requires a request for the new program by submitting the CSU Graduate Differential Tuition Application Form. Student assessments for the differential tuition will not be made without the approval of a new request for differential tuition.

Differential tuition approval occurs at both the University level (Dean, Graduate School; Provost and EVP) and the Board of Governors. Approval applies only to the specific program listed on the CSU Graduate Differential Tuition Application Form: First-Time or Subsequent Requests. Once approved, the differential tuition assessment is tied to the official name/code of that program.

The assessment request must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School by February 20, with approval from the Department Head and the College Dean. Requests are submitted annually in order to be reviewed and approved for the following fall semester; new assessments are made only in the fall semester if approved by CSU and the Board of Governors. Program directors may contact the Director of the Office of Budgets after June 15 for feedback on the BOG’s approval decision.

Please note: Applications for differential tuition changes or new assessments will not be accepted for the 2026 cycle.