Excess Credit Hours

Section 54.014, Texas Education Code, authorizes Texas public institutions of higher education to charge resident undergraduate students at a higher rate not to exceed the non-resident tuition rate if they exceed the maximum number of semester credit hours attempted to complete their degree programs. Attempted semester credit hours include all semester credit hours taken at a Texas public institution of higher education for which a student was registered as of Census Day, including, but not limited to, courses that have been repeated, failed, and courses from which the student withdrew.

As authorized by state law, a student who pays resident tuition rates and who attempts hours that exceed a designated limit will be charged an additional $100 per credit hour. The designated limit for a student who initially enrolled in an institution of higher education in Fall 1999 through Summer 2006 is 45 credit hours beyond the required hours for the student's declared degree program. The designated limit for a student who initially enrolled in an institution of higher education in Fall 2006 or later is 30 credit hours beyond the hours required for completion of the student’s degree program.

The following credit hours are not included in the calculation:

Credit hours earned by the student 10 or more years before the date the student begins the new degree program under the Academic Fresh Start Program of the Texas Education Code, § 51.931.
Hours earned by the student before receiving a baccalaureate degree that has previously been awarded to the student.
Hours earned by the student by examination or similar method without registering for a course.
Hours from remedial and developmental courses, workforce education courses, or other courses that would not generate academic credit that could be applied to a degree at the institution if the course work is within the 27-hour limit at two-year colleges and the 18-hour limit at general academic institutions.
Hours earned by the student at a private institution or an out-of-state institution.
Hours not eligible for formula funding.
Semester credit hours earned by the student before graduating from high school and used to satisfy high school graduation requirements.

Students who wish to appeal the charges due to extenuating circumstances should submit an appeal online and attach supporting documentation through the UTRGV Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs appeals portal