Co-op fee FAQs

See the co-op fee main page for an overview of the current fee amount and when it is paid by each faculty/program.

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The co-op fee is a program participation fee spread out in fee installments over a student’s undergraduate academic career. The timing of when the fee is assessed to you depends on your academic program. It is not a "per work term" fee. Instead, it represents the cost of running the co-op program and it is spread out over a specific number of academic terms.

Your fees for the term will be adjusted only if your program change is approved before the date indicated below. If your change is not approved by this date, it will take effect next term.

• Fall term November 1
• Winter term February 1
• Spring term July 1

Your fees for the term will be adjusted once your new sequence is updated within Quest. If you have not yet paid your fees for the upcoming term, your fee bill will be updated to remove previously charged fees. If you have already paid your fees for the upcoming term, and a credit balance is showing on Quest, you can learn more about your fee options through Student Financial Services.

If you have inquiries regarding the number of co-op fees assessed or any other aspects of your student account, such as payments, refunds, or due dates, contact Student Financial Services for assistance. 

Your co-op fee helps to fund the many supports and resources available to you as a co-op student. Access co-op support and resources or connect with our co-op student experience team. We understand that co-op can sometimes be challenging, but we're here for you every step of the way. 

No. The co-op fee is the cost to participate in the co-op program at Waterloo. We recognize that not every student accesses the same amount of support on every work term (for a variety of reasons). However, the co-op fee is structured as a single pay philosophy, similar to tuition, where all students pay the same fee amount when enrolled in their co-op programs. The co-op fee is not a job-finding fee per work term. It is a pro-rated fee that, throughout a student's degree, recovers the full costs associated with running the co-op program.

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The co-op fee is a co-op program participation fee, like tuition. You’ll pay the co-op fee multiple times throughout your degree as it is spread out over several academic terms. The co-op designation is dependent on students' participation in the entire co-op system. Participation in the co-op program includes resources beyond WaterlooWorks job postings and interview services. Students who arrange their own jobs are still benefiting from the co-op program and utilizing its resources.

To be clear, the co-op fee is not a "job-finding fee" per work term. It represents the cost of running the co-op program, annual initiatives, program improvements and the many services and supports available to you as a co-op student. Students pay the co-op fee to ensure the allocation of all resources needed to build a strong co-op program.

We put students at the centre of what we do and work together with students to prioritize changes and improvements based on what you tell us (through channels like the co-op student experience survey). We continuously make improvements to the co-op process and services. Recent initiatives include:

Our priority is to keep the co-op fee as low as possible while still offering students valuable services like these and responsibly managing our costs. Read about some of the outcomes from student feedback on the co-op student experience page.

Please see the co-op fee visual breakdown on the co-op fee page to learn how your fee is allocated to all co-op resources. 

The co-op fee is the primary source of funding for Co-operative Education. Other funding sources outside of the fee are used for specific projects (e.g., Co-op for Community funds student salaries to work at non-profit organizations).

We aim to maintain the co-op fee at a reasonable amount, while consistently providing high-quality service and exercising prudent cost management.

The co-op fee amount for 2025/2026 is $817. This amount represents a $31, or four percent (4%) increase, from 2024/2025. Co-operative Education determined this amount using our annual financial analysis and fee-setting process, which includes meeting with student representatives. 

Previous increases:

• 2024/2025 - $30 or 4%
• 2023/2024 - $11 or 1.5%
• 2022/2023 - $6 or 0.8%
• 2021/2022 - $5 or 0.7%

The work term report marking fee assessed in your tuition on Quest is separate from the co-op fee. Work reports are defined and marked by each faculty and Co-operative Education does not receive this fee.

Unfortunately, there have been significant economic downturns for many of the industries that typically hire our students (i.e. tech, higher ed) and an overall decline in work-integrated learning opportunities. Although these factors are outside of our control, Co-operative Education continuously works on improvements to encourage more employers to hire and other job development efforts. The Co-op Student Experience Survey and student advisory groups help to drive our priorities. We’re working together with students to improve the co-op program, the jobs available, and your experience in co-op.