Undergraduate Funding Limit, 3-peat, limits on dropped courses, frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What is the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
2. What is the reason for the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
1. What is the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
The Texas Education Code § 54.014 passed legislation on June 18, 2005 that allows an institution of higher education to charge a resident undergraduate student tuition at a higher rate than the rate charged to other resident undergraduate students, not to exceed the rate charged to nonresident undergraduate students, for students that have exceeded a certain number of semester credit hours of funded college work and who have not earned an undergraduate degree.
- Students who are a Texas resident and were enrolled in any Texas public institution BEFORE Fall 1999 are EXEMPT from this rule.
- Students who were enrolled in any Texas public institution between Fall 1999 and Summer 2006 can not attempt 45 credit hours beyond the hours required to complete their degree.
- Students who were enrolled in any Texas public institution Fall 2006 and thereafter can not attempt 30 credit hours beyond the hours required to complete their degree.
2. What is the reason for the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
The Texas Legislature wanted to save money by eliminating state funding for students who take, what the Legislature deemed, an excessive number of hours and who have not earned an undergraduate degree.
3. Does the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” only apply to hours taken toward a degree or does it apply to the total number of hours taken in coursework at the undergraduate level?
Types of hours that count toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” include:
- All semester credit hours attempted at Tarleton State University that were state funded at the undergraduate level, regardless of whether they count towards a degree.
- All state-funded transfer hours attempted from any Texas public institution or higher education that the student attended.
- Hours attempted or hours dropped after the official census date of a semester. Classes dropped before the official census date are not funded and do not count toward a student’s credit limit.
- Optional internships.
- Cooperative education courses.
- Repeated courses.
Types of hours that do not count toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” include:
- ROTC courses.
- Remedial courses.
- Technical courses.
- Courses taken at a private or out-of-state school.
- Credit received by credit-by-exam or advanced placement credit.
- Other non-funded courses.
4. What does it mean to me if I exceed the hours allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” before receiving my degree?
It means that state universities, including Tarleton State University, will have to find another source of income to make up for the lost state funding. At Tarleton State University, tuition for students exceeding the hours allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” will be charged an additional $100 per semester credit hour.
5. Will there be just one rate applied for all Tarleton State University students who exceed the limit, or will there be different rates depending on individual circumstances?
All students will be charged the additional $100 per semester credit hour for courses which exceed the limit allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule.”
6. Will there be exceptions to the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”? If so, what are the exceptions and how would I apply to get one?
Exceptions will be decided by the Undergraduate Funding Limit Appeal Board. More information on how to file an appeal will be provided at a later time.
7. Does the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” apply to all categories of students (international, in-state, out-of-state, children of veterans, full-time, part-time, etc.)?
Currently the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” only applies to Texas resident students.
8. What if I have changed majors and I need a certain number of hours to complete my new degree program that will cause me to exceed the hours allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
The “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” will apply to all Texas resident students even if you change your major.
9. If I enroll in graduate school and am required to take additional coursework at the undergraduate level which exceed the limit in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” will I be charged the additional fee?
If you enroll in graduate school and are required to take undergraduate courses, the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” does not apply if you have already received a baccalaureate degree.
However, if you have not received a baccalaureate degree the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” will apply.
10. Will the course hours recorded on my record as “incomplete” “withdrew” “failed” etc. be counted in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule?”
Semester credit hours from all state-funded institutions in Texas recorded on your record as incomplete, withdrew, failed, or any other such designations, will be counted toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” as attempted hours.
11. If I repeat courses in order to improve my grade standing, will all hours taken in a course count toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” total credit hours?
If you repeat a course in order to improve your grade, all hours taken towards this course will be counted toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” total even if the course is excluded in your GPA calculation.
12. If I complete a degree and want to come back to Tarleton and enroll in an extra course for “continuing education will these hours be counted toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” hours.
If you have already completed a baccalaureate degree and want to come back and enroll in “extra” courses the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” will not apply to you because you have already completed a baccalaureate degree.
13. If I am on social security/retirement status and am completing a degree will I be subject to the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
If you are on social security or retirement status and are completing a degree, the legislation does not provide an exception from the charging the additional tuition rate should you exceed the limit allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule.”
14. What if I am received financial aid because of my family financial status; will I still be subject to paying the higher rate if I exceed the limit allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
If you are received financial aid because of a family financial status, you will be still be subject to paying the additional tuition rate should you exceed the limit allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule.”
15. What if I leave or am suspended from Tarleton State University or another institution and return later under a new major or catalog degree program?
If you leave or are suspended from Tarleton State University or any other institution and then re-enter under a new major or new catalog degree program, all previously taken hours, even if they are several year prior, will still count toward the courses allowed under the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”. These hours count as hours previously attempted because they were funded by the State of Texas.
16. In addition to my degree program, there are some additional elective courses I would like take. Will I be subject to the higher tuition rate if my hours exceed the limit allowed in the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”, even if my intent was to take a few “change of pace” courses while I was completing my degree?
Any hours taken beyond the total hours allowed under the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” no matter if they count toward your Degree Program or were taken solely for edification purposes will affect your tuition rate increase.
17. What if I am pursuing a double major, pursing two baccalaureate degrees at the same time, or are pursing a minor with my baccalaureate degree do the additional hours taken towards these actual degrees affect the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”?
If you are pursuing a double major or pursing two baccalaureate degrees at the same time, the major with the highest total required hours for the degree will be used to figure the hours allowed toward the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”. All hours which exceed the limit under the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule” will be charged the additional tuition rates. All hours towards a minor will also be included in the hours allowed under the “Undergraduate Funding Limit Rule”.
WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
- Contact your Advisor for information.
- Contact Elizabeth Johnson, Faculty Services Coordinator, Registrar's Office, at 254-968-1830 or via e-mail at ejohnson@tarleton.edu.
To Contact the Registrar's Office:
Office of the Registrar
Tarleton State University
Box T - 0620
Stephenville, TX 76402
PHONE 254-968-9121 (or) FAX 254-968-9389