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Distance Learning Fee

UNF established the Distance Learning (DL) Fee in 2011. Each course listed as a distance learning course has a per credit hour fee associated with it. To view the current Distance Learning Fee, visit UNF's Tuition & Fees page. The establishment of a DL fee was authorized under the following law:
FS 1009.24 (17)
  1. A state university may assess a student who enrolls in a course listed in the distance learning catalog, established pursuant to s.1006.735, a per-credit-hour distance learning course fee. For purposes of assessing this fee, a distance learning course is a course in which at least 80 percent of the direct instruction of the course is delivered using some form of technology when the student and instructor are separated by time or space, or both.
  2. The amount of the distance learning course fee may not exceed the additional costs of the services provided which are attributable to the development and delivery of the distance learning course. If the distance learning course fee is assessed by a state university, the institution may not assess duplicative fees to cover the additional costs.
  3. If an institution assesses the distance learning fee, the institution must provide a link to the catalog within the advising and distance learning sections of the institution’s website, using a graphic and description provided by the Complete Florida Plus Program, informing students of the catalog.

Additional authority and guidelines for the DL Fee can be found in applicable Florida Board of Governors (BOG) regulation 7.003, section 18(f), which identifies DL Fees as a fee that each university’s Board of Trustees (BOT) is authorized to assess.  The DL Fee is also listed in UNF Policies and Regulations (see 11.0020R) as a fee that the university’s board of trustees has delegated authority to the President to set:

22. Distance Learning Fee - The University will assess a per-credit hour distance learning fee to cover the additional costs of the services provided which are attributable to the development and delivery of the distance learning course. (11.0020R)
The Florida Distance Learning Task Force (FDLTF), created through HB 7105 by the 2008 Legislature, was appointed by the Chancellors of the State University System and the Florida College System with specific legislative assignments which included the facilitation of increased cost-effectiveness in developing and delivering distance learning degree programs and courses. The FDLTF made several recommendations in its Final Report; including the identification of permissible expenses based on the type of DL delivery and administrative structure of the university. Based on these recommendations, the following expenses are permissible:
  1. specialized technology and maintenance (e.g., hardware, software licenses; technology consulting; hosting and network services)
  2. development and/or acquisition (licensing) of instructional content for distance learning courses
  3. distance learning program development and accreditation
  4. distance learning program quality assessment and control
  5. faculty development and support for distance learning courses
  6. distance learning student support services
  7. testing facilities and support
  8. distance learning administrative & operating costs
  9. course management system server, database, and support staff
  10. instructional material

Budgeting and Fiscal Management

UNF Online manages the DL Fee budget. During budget development each year, input is sought from the University's Distance Learning Committee, and the final draft is reviewed by Academic Affairs before submission to the University Planning & Budget Office for approval. Approved budget packets can be found on the Auxiliary Budget Oversight webpage.

DL Funding Request Form

Requests for support for the development and delivery of distance learning from individual faculty, academic departments, or student support units may be made at any time using this form. Requests will be considered on an ongoing basis, though support may be dependent upon budget cycles in addition to other criteria.



Request Form