MU: Waive full fees of students who lost one or both parents to Covid

MUMBAI: The University of Mumbai (MU) on Thursday released a circular directing all affiliated colleges to implement fee waiver for undergraduate or postgraduate education for students who lost either or both parents to Covid-19, more than a month after the state minister for higher and technical education Uday Samant made the announcement.

The circular also highlights partial or complete fee waiver under various miscellaneous heads for all students.

“As per the directives of the Maharashtra government and the recommendations of a committee constituted by the MU vice-chancellor, reduction of fees only for the 2021-22 academic year has been recommended. 100% fee waiver should be given to students who have lost their father/mother, or both parents to Covid-19,” stated the circular dated August 4.

The circular further mentions 14 heads for which colleges need to partially or fully waive off fees. In case of the library, laboratory, gymkhana and extra-curricular activity, colleges should waive off 50% of the fee for all students. Similarly, colleges have been directed to waive 100% of student welfare fund, caution money deposit, library and laboratory deposits.

On June 29, Samant had announced complete fee waiver for students who lost either one or both parents to Covid.

“If the pandemic situation normalises and students are allowed to attend physical classes, the proportionate fee component under different heads including hostel fees may be charged separately,” added the circular.