Fee-Based Degrees

Core service + ADditional Packages

UW Continuum College has developed a three-tiered service model for fee-based degree programs: Core, Complement and Custom.

Core

Core is the only level of service required in the new model, representing Continuum’s overhead rate. Core services are the minimum required services for using fee-based systems. Continuum maintains a student information system (EOS) that’s integrated with the UW Student Database (SDB). Core includes the required wrap-around services that use this system, such as an online payment portal, student collections, course management, integration with SDB and inclusion in the Professional & Continuing Education catalog and website.

A Partner Success Lead (PSL) will be your primary liaison to Continuum College. Contact your PSL with service questions.

Your first decision is whether to add Complement or Custom services to your Core services package.

Complement

The Complement service level is most similar to our current service options. This second tier (core + financial and marketing services) gives programs access to our most requested support. This level is ideal if you currently utilize many of the available services today and are interested in using Continuum services for marketing, budgeting and financial reporting.

Custom

You can also add Custom add-ons to Core or Complement services. Custom packages allow you to select from additional services to meet the unique needs of your program.

Available custom service packages:

Continuum learning design packages
Continuum marketing campaign and web content management packages
New multi-degree marketing services: Marketing support for multiple programs or all programs within a college or school, both fee-based and state-funded, at a savings
Pre-qualified vendor services (forthcoming)

Detailed Services At A Glance

Partner Success
ACTIVITY	CORE	COMPLEMENT
One primary point of contact at Continuum to ensure service and support needs are met.	X	X
Annually assist program leadership in selecting service options for their fee-based degrees.	X	X
Ensure annual agreements for service level options are completed and approved by program leadership for each program.	X	X
Provide consultation and market research for new program development.	X	X

Course Management and Fee-Based Student Database
ACTIVITY	CORE	COMPLEMENT
Monitor and process enrollment confirmation deposits and forfeitures.	X	X
Track and adjust admissions records for exceptions and deferrals.	X	X
Collect and maintain accurate course inventory in EOS (Continuum student database).	X	X
Move students between course sections as appropriate.	X	X
Apply student financial aid payments to student accounts.	X	X
Time schedule construction and room reservations.		X
Instructional cost sharing notifications (aka, de minimis).	X	X

Financial Analysis and Reporting
ACTIVITY	CORE	COMPLEMENT
Complete multi-year budget projections for launch of new programs.		X
Standard, quarterly financial reporting: Quarterly budget versus actual fiscal reports.		X
Provide strategic recommendations for improving program health and meeting program goals.		X

Budgeting and Fees
ACTIVITY	CORE	COMPLEMENT
Collection support services, refunds and petitions.	X	X
Cash receipts transferred to designated school or college budget number.	X	X
Publish a rate sheet and provide a budget template for use by academic department.	X	X
Participate in autumn-quarter budget planning discussions; assist in creating program budget and offer recommendations for program sustainability.		X
New fee rate increases submitted to OPB; Respond to OPB requests for additional information.	*Continuum will submit to OPB for Core programs for FY24 only.	X
Communicate enrollment or budget concerns early; help re-budget as needed.		X
Process guest speaker payments.		X

Registration and Student Services
ACTIVITY	CORE	COMPLEMENT
Use of fee-based student database and registration system.	X	X
Use of online student payment portal.	X	X
Connect students with program advising and student services units, (e.g., Student Financial Aid, Office of Student Veteran Life, etc.).	X	X
Address basic student questions on UW and Continuum services and fees.	X	X
Registration and support of GNM (graduate nonmatriculated) students.	X	X
Custom registration forms for GNM (graduate nonmatriculated) students.		X

Marketing & Market Research
ACTIVITY	CORE	COMPLEMENT	INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN PACKAGE (CUSTOM ADD-ON)	WEB/CONTENT MANAGEMENT PACKAGE (CUSTOM ADD-ON)
Degree included in PCE catalog.	X	X	X
Degree included in PCE website (bridge page linking to degree webpage).	X	X	X
Annual applicant survey.		X	X
Enrollment benchmark and trend report.		X	X
Annual marketing campaign and performance reporting.		X	X
Advertising campaign. Ad design & copywriting Media planning Advertising may include SEM, social advertising, remarketing, direct buys, print and radio Advertising optimization Our digital agency and experienced marketing managers will manage the campaigns on your behalf throughout the year.		X	X
Direct-mail campaign.		X	X
Print collateral: Copywriting, design and print production of a one-sheet, postcard or trifold updated annually as needed.		X	X
Email subscription, communication and governance. Management of program email subscriber list using industry standard best practices; annual planning of email calendar, including content and execution; metrics tracking and reporting of performance. Information meeting RSVP management (not available for in-person meetings): sign-up and RSVP functionality, automated reminder communications.		X	X	X
Bi-annual (every other year) market assessment.			X
Bi-monthly (every other month) marketing meeting to review campaign performance while digital advertising campaign is underway.			X
Student personas for advertising.			X
Keyword planning across programs (applies to multi-program package).			X
Advertising landing page (if recommended for campaign).			X
Ongoing maintenance of Continuumhosted degree website. Site will undergo regular system maintenance and upgrades, usability testing, search engine optimization, enhancements and more to ensure the sites remain current and effective. Updates will be made as needed to info meetings dates, application deadlines, etc.		X		X
Degree website design and development (UW branded template).		X		X
Professional writer for development of new site program content and annual refresh as needed.		X		X
Develop value-added content to educate and inform prospective students, e.g., student success stories, job trends, salaries, job titles, etc.		X		X
Program overview or featured faculty member video (every 3 years).		X		X
Student testimonial content (one per year).		X		X

Online and Hybrid Learning Add-On Services

Explore our Learning Experience Services to create a high-quality online learning environment to increase students’ knowledge and acquisition of core competencies.

Fees

Required
FEE STRUCTURE	PURPOSE	RATE(S)
UW central overhead	Rate charged for recovery of campus expenses.	7.85% (online and off campus) 16.6% (campus)
Continuum core overhead rate	Systems and services required for Continuum fee-based programs to operate.	4.59%
Total Overhead		12.44% or 21.19%

Flexible Options
FEE STRUCTURE	PURPOSE	RATE(S)
Complement service	Choice to maintain current most common Continuum services including marketing & budgeting.	+1.9% (6.49% total)
Custom add-on	Additional marketing, learning design and 3rd party contracts.	Unique to each program need.
Risk management fees	Currently known as risk/opportunity.	Not charged in FY24. Consult with your PSL for more information.

For detailed pricing, please see the partner programs pricing sheet.

Tiered Rate for High Revenue Programs

To minimize the impact of a percent of gross revenue model on high revenue programs, the new financial model includes a reduced fee tier to maximize opportunities for scaled programs.

The new tier uses a threshold to determine when a program is eligible for this substantial reduction in program rates: Once a program has generated $3.5 million in gross revenue, the Continuum rate is reduced.

High revenue program tier structure:

4.59% (Core only) or 6.49% (Complement) on first $3.5 million of program gross revenue
1.5% on all gross revenue over $3.5 million (whether Core or Complement)

Transition Plan

To support a smooth transition to this service and financial model, Continuum College is covering the costs of a one-year transition plan for programs paying more in fees under the new model. This transition plan will provide an additional year to adapt to the increases.

	July 1, 2023 (FY24) – Transition Year	July 1, 2024 (FY25)
Core services Qualifying programs: Paid less than 4% in Program Management and Infrastructure (PMI) fees in FY22 , and would pay more than 4% during the FY24 transition year.	Core fees = 4% Not to exceed an increase of $12,000 per degree program over FY22 fees in FY24.	Core fees = 4.59%
Complement services Qualifying programs: Paid less than 5.9% in PMI fees in FY22 and would pay more than 5.9% during the FY24 transition year.	Complement fees = 5.9%	Complement fees = 6.49%

EVALUATE CHOICES ANNUALLY

Each year you can review your options and determine whether to update your service selections. You must make decisions on service levels each October to inform budgeting and fee rate submission to the Office of Planning & Budgeting (OBP) by February.