University of Houston administrators are working hard to inform students of a state law that increases tuition for Texas graduates and undergraduates who take the same course three times.

Beginning fall 2006, Texas residents will be charged out-of-state tuition rates to students who attempt the same course for a third time since fall 2002. The law exempts certain classes from the cap, including thesis, dissertation, independent study, special topics and seminars courses.

Another law, Texas Education Code 54.068, affects Texas resident undergraduate students who enrolled for the first time in any state public institution of higher education in fall 1999 or later. The law restricts the number of hours undergraduate Texas residents may attempt while paying in-state tuition. This means that resident students will pay out-of-state tuition if they enroll in too many hours. Students who enroll for the first time prior to fall 2006 and who attempt 45 or more semester credit hours beyond the hours required to complete their degree will be charged out-of-state tuition rates for excess hours. Students who enroll for the first time in fall 2006 or after, the enrollment cap is reduced to 30 hours.

“The University of Houston is committed to providing information to students about state legislation that may affect academic progress. In many cases, knowledge of relevant information may assist students in making sound educational decisions,” said Donald Foss, UH senior vice president of academic affairs and provost.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will calculate all hours in which a student was enrolled at any Texas public institution of higher education, whether the hours are accepted for transfer credit at UH. Attempted hours are calculated for courses in which a student is enrolled at the end of the 12th class day in fall and spring semesters or the fourth class day during the summer semester. If students drop a course after the official reporting day, the hours they attempted but did not complete will be counted toward the limit. This semester, the official reporting day is Monday, Jan. 30.

UH administrators are working with advisers, deans and chairs to inform students about the law. For additional information, visit http://www.uh.edu/provost/stu/stu_enrollcapqs.html. To view a letter by Foss to students that provides more details, visit http://www.uh.edu/provost/stu/stu.html.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu