Beginning fall 2017, the International student fee will be $100 per semester. The fee is applicable to students who are at UW-Madison on F1 and J1 visas. Due to reductions in state funding, ISS has needed to explore other options to maintain quality service to international students. Over the last two years, International Student Services has transitioned to becoming operated by student fees. The fee was set at $75 since 2015, and has been increased in order for ISS to provide adequate and quality services. The increase in fee is due to a). regular inflation, b). the need to provide additional student support programs, c). and the need to maintain competitive wages to hire and retain expert staff members. ISS remains committed to improving the services provided to international students, and the increase in fee will improve services and efficiencies. Despite this fee increase, UW-Madison’s fee is lower than fees at half of other Big Ten institutions.