The rationale for offering a restricted number of waivers, or rather tuition remissions for international students goes back to Chapter 36 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Chapter 36.27(3)(c) states that:
"Remissions of non-resident tuition, but no other fees, except in special circumstances as approved by the Chancellor, may be remitted to worthy and needy foreign students and to students who are United States citizens but whose residence is not in the United States. The number of such remissions which may be awarded in any academic year shall not exceed 2% of the total full-time enrollment of students at that institution for the preceding year."
In addition:
"Non-resident remissions/compacts/exemptions are assigned to one of four categories, each with differing fiscal constraints and expectations. They are:
1. Authorized/controlled by statute,
2. Authorized/controlled by inter-state compact,
3. Exempt by statute, and
4. Special contracts.
The one that is applicable in the case of international students is:
1. Authorized/controlled by Statute:
* Graduate Assistants
* Research Assistants
* Athletic Scholarships
* Graduate Fellowships
* 8% Non-Residents
* Project Assistants
* Teaching Assistants
* Foreign Students
* 2% Extraordinary
* Incarcerated (assigned to the 2%)
SA (System Administration) makes lump sum allocations to institutions which distribute to the above programs. Lost income is recovered by "generalized" fee increases and FICR payments; institutions are responsible for lost income when remissions exceed allocations. Statutory References: s. 36.27 (3) (a) (b) (c) (f) (g); s. 20.285 (2) (d)."
5.1 Criteria for Selection and Maintenance of Foreign Student Tuition Remission
International Students may be granted non-resident tuition remission if:
1. They have been in the U.S. for at least one school year maintaining legal F-1 status, that is:
1. have been successfully pursuing a full course of study, (completing at least 12 undergraduate credits a semester or at least 9 graduate credits a semester);
2. have not engaged in unauthorized employment;
3. are attending the institution at the school which issued the I-20; and
4. are not deportable on any grounds.
2. Demonstrate and document true financial need, such as a significant change of circumstances in their original financial status since they were initially enrolled at UW-RF (i.e., an unexpected change in their country=s money exchange regulations, failure from sponsor, sponsoring agency, or country of origin government to continue funding, documented declaration of bankruptcy by the family, etc.)
3. Have documented successful academic standards (i.e., maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average each semester)
4. Have demonstrated and documented initiative in finding on-campus work opportunities and were unsuccessful or have sought off-campus work opportunities with the proper INS authorization, or applied for supporting scholarships or grants and were denied.
5. Have actively engaged in campus activities to promote multicultural endeavors and/or have made significant contributions to the University and/or community.
6. Will be pursuing academic work at the UW-RF campus (i.e., not attending another institution, such as participating in the National Student Exchange).
7. If an undergraduate student, he/she has not already completed an undergraduate degree in the U.S.
8. If a graduate student, he/she has not already completed a degree level he or she has already attained at this or other U.S. institution.
5.2 Other Criteria for Tuition Remission Consideration
Both graduate and undergraduate international students who demonstrate and document severe financial need may be granted a tuition remission for other reasons such as:
1. Students who have been screened and referred by the Institute of International Education or similar organizations as demonstrating severe financial need and who would be unable to attend UW-RF without this financial support.
2. Students who demonstrate outstanding academic credentials, who demonstrate and document severe financial need, show potential for significant contribution to the University and/or community, and who would be unable to attend UW-RF without this financial support and are for these reasons specifically recommended by a department, the Graduate School, or a faculty member.
3. Students who demonstrate and document severe financial need, outstanding scholarship, have actively participated in multicultural activities or have made other significant contributions to the University and/or community, and who are specially recommended by the Chancellor.
4. Students who demonstrate and document severe financial need, outstanding scholarship, have actively participated in multicultural activities, or have made other significant contributions to the University and/or community and are in their last semester of academic studies.
5.3 Tuition Remission for Newly Admitted International Students
Newly admitted international students with no prior studies in the U.S. (except for ESL programs) may be granted a tuition remission if:
1. They have contacted UW-RF prior to matriculation and have expressed special interest in attending this institution, demonstrate and document severe financial need, demonstrate and document with letters of recommendations, transcripts, etc. a strong scholastic ability, and show potential for contribution to the University and/or community.
AND
2. Have demonstrated and documented that they have tried to obtain financial support from other sources (such as their country's government, international grant or fellowship foundations, departmental assistantships, family and friends) and were denied.
OR
3. They meet any of the qualifications stated in 5.2 (a), (b) and (c) and meet 5.3 (b) as well.
Priority may be given to applicants who meet any of the above criteria and are applying from either "unrepresented" or "under represented" countries among our international student population, or from countries which are generally referred to as "developing" or "low income."
5.4 Criteria for Withdrawing or Denying Tuition Remission from Students
International students may have their tuition remission withdrawn or denied at any time if:
1. They fall "out of status" with the INS [See 5.1 (a)].
2. They fail to complete the minimum "full load" of credits per semester or maintain at least the 2.5 GPA per semester or to make adequate progress toward their intended degree. Students will be warned in writing when any of the former (a) or (b) occurs. They will be given three months (a) to be re-instated to lawful F-1 status, and/or (b) a full semester to improve their academic situation to satisfactory academic standards.
3. It is discovered that they had provided false information in order to obtain the tuition remission.
4. The students are found to request tuition remission in order to be able to bring spouse and/or children with them to the U.S. and River Falls.
5. They fail at any time to meet any of the requirements listed above for which they were originally granted the tuition remission.
6. Students are granted a departmental assistantship, a foundation grant or fellowship, which will already cover their expenses.
7. Students are requesting a tuition remission for a summer term, unless it is their last term for degree completion and they meet terms for 5.2 (d).
8. Students have been reprimanded for willfully and seriously breaking the UW-RF Student Conduct Code.
9. Students whose tuition remission has been denied twice for whatever reason will not be granted another tuition waiver and will have no right to appeal.
APPEALS
If a remission is denied or withdrawn, student may make a written appeal for reinstatement in future semesters providing proof and/or documentation of change of circumstances, or demonstrating "extenuating circumstances" (i.e., medical reasons, etc.) In which case, depending on the circumstance, exceptions may be made.
The appeal requests should be addressed to the International Student Tuition Remission Committee, which is composed of the International Student Advisor; the Director of International Programs or the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, or designate; the Dean of Students, or designate; and the Director of Financial Assistance, or designate. In the case of an appeal presented by a newly admitted student, the staff member in charge of international student admissions will be added to the Committee.
The Committee must have in hand all original documents on student admission and all new evidence in order to validate the appeal.
