Any credit hours in which you are enrolled after ORD are identified as attempted hours.

The Official Reporting Day, or "ORD", is the critical date in determining attempted hours. ORD is normally the twelfth class day in the spring and fall semesters, and the fourth class day in the summer semesters.

If you do not want to unnecessarily increase your attempted hours, you should drop or withdraw from courses on or before ORD.

Credit hours attempted in a semester may have significant short term and long term academic and financial impacts on you (see areas of impact below.)

This landmark date is indicated on the Academic Calendar. It is important to always check the Academic Calendar for exact dates when making decisions about adding/dropping or withdrawing from courses.

Here are some common examples of how attempted hours could impact you:

Undergraduate Enrollment Cap

Enrollment cap totals are based on attempted hours. Texas resident undergraduate students who enrolled for the first time in a Texas public institution of higher education in Fall 1999 or later may be charged a premium tuition rate after they reach their established enrollment cap. Undergraduate course fee information is posted here.

To learn more, see: Information About the Enrollment Cap for Texas Residents.

Three-peat Rule

With limited exceptions, Texas-resident undergraduate students who attempt a course with the same content for a third or more times will be charged a premium tuition rate for those credit hours. Undergraduate course fee information is posted here.

For additional information, see: Information About the "Three-peat" Rule.

Policy on Dropping Courses: 6 W-grades Limit

As of Fall 2007, undergraduate students are limited to dropping 6 courses in their UH career with a grade of W.

Courses dropped or withdrawn on or before ORD are not considered attempted hours, receive no grade, and are thereby not counted in the student’s 6 Ws.

For more information, please see: Policy on Dropping Courses: Six 'W'-grades Limit FAQs for Students.

Texas Tuition Rebate

Students who are Texas residents who graduate within four years and with the minimum number of hours towards their degree requirements for their first baccalaureate degree may be eligible for a $1000 tuition rebate. For example, if a student drops more than one three-credit-hour course past the ORD, the student could become ineligible for the rebate.

In determining eligibility for the rebate, all attempted hours are considered and include:

• hours attempted at all other institutions,
• credit-by-examination in excess of nine semester credit hours,
• courses that are developmental, repeated, and optional for internship/cooperative education.

To learn more, please see the information on undergraduate tuition rebates, including rebate request form.

Financial Aid

Students who rely on financial aid must show satisfactory academic progress each eligibility term. Students who do not complete attempted hours may negatively impact their current and future financial aid totals.

For further information, please see the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website or speak with a Financial Aid advisor at the Welcome Center.

Refund Eligibility for Dropped Courses

Tuition refund dates coincide with ORD. Students should view the Student Financial Services refund timeline every semester.

How can I learn more about the impact of "Attempted Hours"?

You should consult with an academic advisor for any questions you may have about how your coursework decisions may affect your specific degree plan and your academic career. To find an advisor, contact the college of your major. Students who have not yet declared a major, or who may be changing majors, may talk to an advisor at Exploratory Studies in Cougar Village II North, room N140, 832-842-2100.