Rule 40405: Tuition Rates for Undergraduate Students with Excessive Semester Credit Hours

1.  Title

Tuition Rates for Undergraduate Students with Excessive Semester Credit Hours

2.  Rule and Regulation

Sec. 1  Background.   Pursuant to Texas Education Code Section 54.014, institutions of higher education may charge a resident student a tuition rate that is higher than the regular resident tuition, but does not exceed the nonresident tuition rate, if the student has previously attempted 170 or more semester credit hours without earning a baccalaureate degree. Section 61.0595 of the Texas Education Code directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to withhold formula funding for students who have previously attempted 170 or more semester credit hours for courses taken at any institution of higher education while classified as a resident of Texas for tuition purposes.

Sec. 2  Delegation.   The Board of Regents delegates to the presidents of institutions authority to charge a tuition rate that is higher than the regular tuition rate but that does not exceed the statutory nonresident tuition rate to resident undergraduate students who accumulate excessive hours.

3.  Definitions

Excessive Semester Credit Hours – An undergraduate student who has previously attempted 170 or more semester credit hours without earning a baccalaureate degree.

4.  Relevant Federal and State Statutes 

Texas Education Code Section 54.014 – Tuition for Repeated or Excessive Undergraduate Hours (Note: Although the current Statute speaks also to “repeated” hours, the Board’s delegation did not extend to “repeated” hours.) 
Texas Education Code Section 61.0595 – Funding for Certain Excess Undergraduate Credit Hours 

5.  Relevant System Policies, Procedures, and Forms 

Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Rule 40401 - Assessment, Collection, Delegation, and Waiver of Tuition and Fees 

6.  Who Should Know 

Administrators 
Students 

7.  System Administration Office(s) Responsible for Rule 

Office of Academic Affairs 
Office of Health Affairs 

8.  Dates Approved or Amended 

Regents’ Rules Revision History 

9.  Contact Information 

Questions or comments regarding this Rule should be directed to: 
•  bor@utsystem.edu