As a current psychology major at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), I am writing to bring attention to a growing financial concern impacting many students—the $25 per credit fee applied to online courses, even when those courses are required for graduation and not available in person.

This semester alone, I am paying an additional $300 in fees—not because I opted for the convenience of online learning, but because there were no other options available to meet my academic requirements. For students working part-time jobs, managing living expenses, and already burdened by tuition and textbook costs, these additional fees can be a serious obstacle to academic success.

Many degree programs at UWGB include required courses that are only offered in online formats. This effectively makes the $25 per credit fee mandatory for graduation, despite the university promoting affordable access to higher education.

At its core, tuition is meant to cover the cost of instruction and access to a degree. Yet at UW-Green Bay, students like me are being charged an additional $300 or more per semester simply for enrolling in a regular courseload—not because we’re taking extra classes or receiving premium services, but because some of our required courses are only offered online. These courses are part of our core degree path, and students have no choice but to take them if we hope to graduate on time. Adding hundreds of dollars in fees to these required classes turns what should be a standard semester into a financial strain.

This model unfairly penalizes students for decisions that are entirely out of our control. Many of us are already juggling work, debt, and the rising costs of living. Tuition is high enough on its own—adding online course fees on top of it, for courses that are mandatory, creates a two-tiered pricing system within the same education. It’s hard not to feel like we’re being charged extra just for trying to graduate. For a university that emphasizes accessibility and student support, this practice feels out of alignment with those values.

We respectfully ask UW-Green Bay to consider one of the following actions:

Eliminate the $25 per credit fee for online courses that are required for graduation and have no in-person alternative,
 OR

Ensure that all required courses are offered in both online and in-person formats, allowing students a real choice.

Students should not have to pay more simply to meet degree requirements. We ask that UWGB prioritize accessibility, fairness, and affordability in its academic offerings.

Please sign this petition if you believe that required coursework should not come with unnecessary financial penalties.