Description of Optional Fees

Cardinal Cash is a campus administered prepaid declining debit account accessed with a student ID card. Every SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinal Card ID holder has a Cardinal Cash account. There is no need to open an account; all that is required to access the functionality of Cardinal Cash is to make a minimum deposit of $10.

Cardinal Computer Care Service CCCS is another way Computing and Desktop Support Services (CSDS) works to assist students and ensures that they get the most out of our computing resources while at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Certain courses may have an associated course fee when a distinctly definable monetary or educational benefit or is necessary to support the course.  As an example, a student registered for a graphic design studio course might incur a small fee for specialized design software used throughout the course.

Appeal of Course-Related Fee

A student may submit a written appeal to the faculty member requesting a course fee waiver. The student must thoroughly document the reason for the waiver request as well as provide supporting documentation. A faculty member can approve a course fee waiver if the student can provide proof that the goods and/or services were obtained by the student or the faculty member can attest the learning objectives of the course were obtained without the goods and/or services the course fee supplies the student.

As of fall 2023, health insurance will no longer be mandatory* for attendance and SUNY Plattsburgh will no longer offer a health plan.  SUNY Plattsburgh highly recommends that all students have health insurance.  Unexpected expenses due to an illness or injury can create serious financial difficulties.

*Health insurance is mandatory for intercollegiate athletes and international students.  Learn more.

Green Fee

The green fee gives each Plattsburgh student an opportunity to help the environment by encouraging initiatives that support campus sustainability. This process is overseen by the Campus Committee on Environmental Responsibility, a group of students, faculty, administrators and other employees who help to implement these projects. Almost half of our students at Plattsburgh contribute.

In past years, the green fee supported the student vegetable garden, a student bike shop, led lights, recycling bins, new bike racks, signage in Rugar Woods, the bio-diesel fuel project, and several other initiatives.

While we are still in the early years of implementation, the projects funded from the green fee show every sign of providing tangible improvements that foster campus sustainability. It is a program designed by students for students.

For more information about the SUNY Plattsburgh green fee, please contact:

Lauren Eastwood
Email: [email protected]

All students are automatically billed two parking fees on their tuition bills:

• $30 parking registration fee is billed annually to obtain a parking hangtag for the academic year.
• $76 parking fee is billed each session for the privilege of parking in designated lots.
• When purchased after week 3 and before week 8 of a semester, the semester charges for parking are: $30 (registration fee) and $57 (parking fee).
• When purchased after week 7 and before week 12 of a semester, the semester charges for parking are: $30 (registration fee) and $38 (parking fee). 
• When purchased after week 11 of a semester, the semester charges for parking are: $30 (registration fee) and $19 (parking fee).

If parking on campus during a session, the student must include both parking fees on the bill when confirming enrollment.

If not parking on campus, the student is responsible for removing both optional parking fees from the tuition bill before confirming enrollment; or a special cancellation request must be submitted to [email protected] (where applicable, hangtag returned) no later than 10 business days from the start of a session. The student may request to be re-billed, if parking circumstances change within the session.

For detailed registration instructions, visit Campus Parking

For veteran waiver guidelines, visit Special Parking Privileges

SUNY Plattsburgh University Police Parking Office
101 Broad Street (Health Center)

The student alumni fee provides valuable benefits to students, including career networking and support for programs and special events on campus.

Cardinal Connections provides direct online access to successful Plattsburgh alumni and students via the Plattsburgh Alumni Community (PAC) for career networking purposes. This program also sponsors etiquette dinners, the Student Ambassadors group, Cardinal Graduation Expo, career night and senior receptions. A lifetime benefit, Cardinal Connections continues to support students after graduation through the Plattsburgh Alumni Association, the online Plattsburgh Alumni Community, regional and campus events such as Homecoming Weekend, Cardinal Athletic Hall of Fame and reunions.

The Distinguished Visiting Alumni Program brings highly successful alumni back to campus to interact with current students as mentors. The Distinguished Visiting Alumni Award is presented during the program by the Plattsburgh Alumni Association to honor graduates for professional achievements, contributions to society and service to the alma mater.

Student Alumni Grants underwrite more than 40 student-initiated educational programs each year, including guest speakers, workshops and artistic performances.

Please note that a student may decline this fee by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations and requesting a fee waiver/reimbursement within two weeks of the start of the semester (see contact info below).

For more information about the SUNY Plattsburgh Student Alumni fee, please contact:

SUNY Plattsburgh Office of Alumni Relations
Hawkins Hall, Room 113
Phone: 518-564-2090 or 800-964-1889
Email: [email protected]

This is an optional fee for all students who are enrolled in at least one course on the main campus.

The Student Health and Counseling Center provides over-the-counter medications and patient education. These services allow students to take control of their health and eliminate unnecessary provider visits.

Students who are acutely ill and in need of prescription medications that are in the center’s formulary can have that medication dispensed at the center. This service provides expedient treatment and the most ill students do not need to travel to a pharmacy to obtain medications.

For more information about the student medication fee at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:

Center for Student Health and Counseling Center
Phone: 518-564-2187
Email: [email protected]

The recreation fee is a mandatory fee for all students who are enrolled in at least one course on the main campus, including online courses. Students who pay the recreation fee no longer have to pay a separate fitness center fee in order to access the fitness center facility.

The fitness center fee will continue to serve as as optional membership and dues fee for faculty, staff and alumni wishing to access the fitness center facility. This is a pay-for-use program. View requirements and eligibility information

Summary of Other Fee Costs (at Plattsburgh)

The below advanced placement fee is charged to first-semester, first-year, matriculated students. It is used to support costs associated with administering a variety of placement exams (English, foreign language, etc.). These costs can include the online exam (if we are required to pay for access), extra service for faculty working over the summer to evaluate exams and place students in the appropriate courses, and other materials and supplies (pencils, paper, etc. for in person sessions at orientation).
Name	Cost
Advanced Placement Fee	$20 (one-time charge)
The below orientation fees provide for the summer orientation program, new student opening weekend activities and other transition programming. The fees are not directly connected to student attendance at summer orientation.
Name	Cost
Domestic First-Year Orientation and Enrollment Fee	$175 (one-time charge)
Domestic Transfer Orientation and Enrollment Fee	$125 (one-time charge)
International Student Orientation and Enrollment Fee	$420 (one-time charge)