Linette Garcia | Staff Writer
Every semester, I log in to my myFIU portal to check my financial account and see the estimated costs the university has decided to charge me based on my enrollment status. Without fail, the same list of mandatory fees appears on my balance, and I can’t help but roll my eyes while I watch my financial aid go toward fees that I simply do not benefit from.
All FIU students—online and on-campus—are required to pay mandatory fees to attend the university, although the total amount can vary based on their program of study. These mandatory fees include, but are not limited to, a transportation access fee, a health fee, and an athletic fee. They are automatically charged every semester, regardless of how often a student actually uses these services.
While FIU prides itself on offering relatively low tuition and millions in financial aid, promising students the opportunity to graduate with little to no debt, online students end up paying the same fees as in-campus students without receiving the same access to benefits.
As an online student, not only do I pay these futile fees and never use them, but I’m also charged an additional $90 for distance learning from the comfort of my home. These charges seem arbitrary and unnecessary, especially since none of them directly improve my educational experience, and frankly, I should not have to pay for any of them.
There are several reasons people choose to enroll in the online program at FIU, including full-time jobs, family responsibilities, financial limitations, and those with disabilities or who live out of state. Almost none of us can attend athletic events or drive to campus to use wellness services, and the online services provided are limited. The university markets the program as flexible and accessible, yet the fee structure suggests that this flexibility comes at a steep price.
But let me be clear: the fees feel random to online students. However, for those going on campus, including those who use the shuttle services, counseling services, and athletic facilities, these resources are extremely valuable. They are just convenient to those who can actually use them.
If FIU is serious about its online program, then it needs to be serious about equity. Online students should not be subsidizing a campus experience we are excluded from. A reduced fee structure or opt-out options for campus-based services would be a more reasonable solution. Otherwise, online students will continue to pay full price for half the college journey.
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