SIRF

Student Involvement and Representation Fee

SIRF Fee Frequently Asked Questions

On January 28, 2015 the CSU Board of Trustees established a new voluntary student fee, the Student Involvement and Representation Fee, which goes into effect in the fall 2015 term. This fee is charged to all students unless they choose to opt out of the fee, which can be done via your SDSU WebPortal. The fee amount is $2 per fall and spring terms, and is used to support the student leadership, involvement, governance, and advocacy programs managed by the California State Student Association (CSSA).

CSSA is an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization comprised of elected student leaders from all of the 23 CSU campuses with the sole purpose of representing CSU students to the California State University system and to the state and federal government, ensuring students are active participants in the decisions that shape their education. This organization is recognized by the CSU Trustees as the official voice of the students, is run by students, and includes representatives from every CSU campus. CSSA is focused solely on advocating for students.

Visit the CSSA Web Site: www.csustudents.org

Revenue from the fee will be used to ensure that students are able to meaningfully fund the activities of the CSSA and thereby ensure the overall ability of students to participate in policy development and higher education initiatives at the system, state, and national levels. Revenue from the fee will provide additional funding support for the development of student policy recommendations, participation in system, state, and national governance, involvement in leadership development activities, and program support through student and professional staff administration. Because CSSA is an independent, not-profit organization governed by Associated Students leaders, the use of this fee will always be determined by students.

Here is how you opt out of SIRF via my.SDSU.

  1. Select “Financial Account”
  2. Select “Account Inquiry”
  3. Click “SIRF Opt Out” button
  4. Select Reason
  5. Click “Opt Out”

Financial Aid disbursements begin 10 days before school starts. If you are receiving financial aid and plan on opting out of the fee, make sure to opt out prior to that date. Once the fee is paid, it is not refundable.

Students will be asked to opt out for this fee every term.

Because this fee is so small, it is unlikely to create a hardship on students. However, it is coverable by some financial aid resources, including loans, scholarships and grants, and federal aid, including the Pell grant. The $2 fee is included in a student's financial aid cost of attendance when determining overall aid eligibility. The fee is considered a miscellaneous cost.

After you have registered for classes:

You can pay for SIRF via your my.SDSU Financial Account Tile

It will take at least 1-2 business days after you have registered for this fee to be added to your my.SDSU financial account.  Other fees due at this time may include Basic Tuition and Fees (campus fees, non-resident tuition, and professional program fees. Students whose fees are normally covered by third parties or waivers will have the option to pay this fee since it is not covered by these methods. This fee is also paid separately from any installment plan. You will also see this amount due along with any fees you are responsible for paying with a due date of the first day of class.

Note: Financial Aid Students: If you will not be receiving your financial aid until after census and wish to pay this fee, please follow the instructions above.

The last day SDSU will be accepting SIRF Fee payments or opt out requests for each term is 30 days following the university census date. For specific dates each term, please refer to Money Matters. If you do not pay or opt out by this date, any outstanding charges for this fee will be canceled and there will no penalty assessed to you.

For additional information about CSSA or this specific fee, please use one of the following:

Visit the CSSA Web Site: www.csustudents.org
Contact the CSSA: (562) 951-4025 / [email protected]