The University of Utah will provide a $150 credit to students to reduce their fees during Fall 2020 Semester.

The 25% discount is meant to support student access, retention and completion during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mark Winter, associate vice president for budget. On average, a student carrying a full-time class load at the U pays $624 a semester in fees in addition to tuition. The fee discount will not be taken from any specific fee, but will reduce students’ overall fees.

Annual student tuition and fees are about equal to state appropriations in the university’s budget—approximately $367 million each.

University leaders decided to reduce fees in collaboration with other schools in the Utah System of Higher Education. Utah State University, the state’s other research institution, also will reduce its fees by $150 during the fall.

“We are sensitive to the fiscal challenges faced by our students at this time,” Winter said. “As a public institution, the university works to operate as close to actual costs as possible, and we are committed to working diligently to keep those costs as low as possible in the interest of helping students stay in school and complete their degrees.”