ABSTRACT
The importance of student fees as a source of revenue for colleges and universities varies greatly among institutions. Considerable variation exists among public colleges both within and among states, while private colleges may charge a vast range of student tuition and other fees.1 These levies are usually accepted by students and parents as a part of getting a college education, thus little legal controversy has arisen contesting fee assessment practices. Of course, where private colleges are involved and laissez faire education is based on supply and demand, the student has little legal constitutional redress unless state participation, or, in legal parlance, “state action,” can be imputed to the school. The private-school-student financial relationship is primarily contractual, and the student is by and large entirely subject to the requirements of the private entity.
