As of Fall 2006, new undergraduate students whose attempted hours exceeds, by at least 30 hours of the hours required for the completion of the degree program, may be charged tuition at a higher rate. Texas Education Code § 54.014 provides a limit on the number of hours an undergraduate Texas resident may attempt while paying in-state tuition rates. This Legislation impacts new undergraduate students enrolling in an institution of higher education in Fall 1999 or thereafter.
Students who have not selected a major are considered, by state law, to have a degree requirement of 120 hours. The higher rate will not exceed the rate charged to non-resident undergraduate students. A resident student is one who pays the in-state rate for tuition purposes.
At Tarleton State University, tuition for students exceeding the attempted hours allowed due to the limit imposed by Texas Education Code § 54.014 will be charged an additional $100 per semester credit hour.
This rule applies to Texas resident Undergraduates enrolling in an institution of higher education in Fall 1999 or thereafter and will apply even if the student changes their major.
Students First Enrolled Before Fall 1999
Students who are a Texas resident and were enrolled in any Texas public institution before Fall 1999 are exempt from this rule.
Students First Enrolled After Fall 1999 and Before Summer 2006
Students who were enrolled in any Texas public institution between Fall 1999 and Summer 2006, who are paying in-state tuition rates, will begin to accumulate fees beginning at 45 hours beyond the undergraduate degree.
Students First Enrolled After Summer 2006
Students who enrolled in any Texas public institution after Summer 2006, who are paying in-state tuition rates, will begin to accumulate fees beginning at 30 hours beyond the total degree plan hours.
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 calculate the hours allowed regarding the Excessive Hours limit. All hours towards a minor will also be counted.
Types of hours that do not count toward the limit include undergraduate courses required for a graduate degree, if a baccalaureate degree has already been obtained. However, if you have not received a baccalaureate degree the limit imposed by Texas Education Code § 54.014 will still apply. If you have already completed a baccalaureate degree and want to come back and enroll in “extra” courses the limit will not apply to you because you have already completed a baccalaureate degree. Additionally, the following hours will not be counted:
- 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
- Dual Credit Courses
- Other non-funded courses
Appeals
Any student who is being charged additional tuition rates in accordance with the limit imposed by Texas Education Code § 54.014 is eligible to file an appeal.
Students who are not currently being charged additional tuition rates do not need to file an appeal. If you are unsure if you will be affected by this limit, you can contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registrar@tarleton.edu or by phone at 254-968-9121.
The Appeal process must be filed for each semester that a student is affected by the limit imposed by Texas Education Code § 54.014. Any Appeal Board decision applies for the current semester only and will not carry over to any subsequent semester.
Filing an Excessive Hours Appeal
All students who wish to file an appeal must submit a completed Appeal Form. Students must submit all tuition payments on time including any additional fees, regardless of submitting an Appeal Form, or they will be dropped for non-payment.
If the Appeal Board waives the additional charges, this portion of your tuition would then be refunded to you.
Additional Information
To learn more, please speak with an Advisor or contact the Registrar’s Office at 254-968-9121 or email the Office of the Registrar.