The UHin4 Graduation Plan and the Fixed Rate Tuition Plan are two separate programs that offer different types of support:

• UHin4 Graduation Plan
  Helps students stay on track to graduate in four years. It provides academic planning tools, personalized support, and access to resources that guide students through a clear path to earning their degree on time.
• Fixed Rate Tuition Plan
  Managed by Student Business Services, this is a financial planning tool. It allows students to lock in the same tuition rate for four years, helping families budget more predictably for college expenses.

Note: You don’t have to choose the Fixed Four-Year Tuition Plan to participate in UHin4, but you can opt in when you elect to join UHin4.

No, students in UHin4 have the option to choose from the variable tuition rate which is established by the State of Texas each year or the Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition Option. Students may not, however, participate in the Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition Option without being in UHin4.

The guaranteed fixed tuition rate in effect during this term for Texas residents is per semester for an unlimited number of credit hours at the University of Houston. In summer during this term, students will pay only a state imposed statutory tuition rate per credit hour.

The fixed rate includes all mandatory tuition and academic fees associated with enrollment. It does not cover any other charges associated with attendance at the University.

Yes, anyone can opt out at any time. However, you cannot opt out of the Freshman Four-Year Graduation Plan and remain in the Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition Option. Once you opt out of the either plan, you cannot opt back in.

The Freshman Fixed Four-Year rate covers unlimited course enrollment hours for the fall and spring. This means you will pay the same fixed rate regardless if you take 12, 15, or 18 hours.

If you opt into the Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition Option during your first fall enrollment semester and later choose to opt out, either in the same semester or a future semester, you will begin paying the current variable tuition rate moving forward. You will not will not be required to repay any tuition from the time when you were under the fixed rate.

If the enrollment of the student is canceled for any reason (including withdrawal, suspension, or expulsion), the amount of the refund shall be in accordance with the general refund policy of the University. The University reserves the right to offset any amounts refundable hereunder against any amounts owed by the student.

Yes! Many incoming freshmen, especially those from early college high schools or who earned college credit in high school, are eligible and encouraged to join UHin4.

One major benefit for students entering with significant credit is priority enrollment, which begins in the fall for spring registration. This gives you early access to courses, helping you avoid competition for upper-division classes.

Even if you’re on track to graduate in two or three years, you can still participate in UHin4. There’s no requirement to stay enrolled for four years, once you complete your degree, you’re done!

• Initial Eligibility
  • However, all UHin4 students are still required to enroll in 15 credit hours during their first semester at UH, regardless of how many credits they bring in. 
  • If you believe your situation warrants an exception, your college will review it during the opt-in process and let you know if any adjustments can be made. For example, if you are enrolled in 3-hours lecture that has an associated 1-hour lab, your total enrollment may fall between 14 and 17 credit hours. If your enrollment exceeds 15 hours, that would be taken into consideration in the review.  
• Continued Eligibility
  • To remain eligible in UHin4 you must successfully complete a minimum of one quarter of the applicable credits for the selected eligible degree program each academic year. If you have AP/transfer credit or graduated from an Early College High School you will have surplus of hours at the end of your first academic year and this will allow you greater flexibility in enrollment for future semesters. For specific questions related to your hours please email uhin4@uh.edu

Graduating early does not result in any penalties under UHin4. There are no financial consequences for completing your degree in less than 4 year. If you opted into the Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition Plan, you will continue to benefit for the duration of your enrollment, even if it's less than four years. The Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition rate guarantees a consistent rate while you're enrolled, but there is no expectation you remain enrolled beyond the time needed to complete your degree. 

Read the complete list of student eligibility responsibilities.

As a general overview, you are responsible for managing eligibility from year to year by: declaring an eligible major by the end of your first academic year; successfully complete a minimum of one quarter of the applicable credits for the selected eligible degree program each academic year; maintaining continuous enrollment each fall and spring during the term of the plan; remain in good academic standing; resolving holds which may delay timely enrollment; maintain communication with your academic advisor, meeting with your advisor prior to enrollment and enrolling in courses within 48 hours of the start of your designated enrollment appointment

A complete list of eligible majors and degree plans can be found among our Academic Maps, found online here: UHin4 Academic Maps; non-eligible majors include degree plans that cannot be completed within 4 years. An example of a non-eligible degree plan is the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture offers a Bachelor of Architecture, which enables students to pursue licensure after completing degree requirements. The Bachelor of Architecture is a five-year professional degree.

You can drop a class while enrolled in both the UHin4 Four-Year Graduation Plan and the Freshman Fixed Four-Year Tuition Option, but there are important considerations:

To remain eligible for UHin4, students must:

• Enroll in at least 15 credit hours per semester.
• Complete 30 credit hours per academic year.
• Maintain continuous enrollment in fall and spring semesters.
• Stay in good academic standing.

Dropping a class could affect your ability to meet these requirements. If dropping a course causes you to fall below the one-quarter of your degree completed annual requirement, you may become ineligible for UHin4 if you do not make those hours up through either test/transfer credit, or by taking additional hours in other terms. 

Students in the UHin4 program are provided with several different tools and benefits, all of which are designed to help students graduate on time. Examples of these benefits include:

• Early or priority enrollment,
• Annual enrollment evaluation,
• Course assistance, 
• The option to choose between either a fixed or variable tuition rate when joining UHin4. Please note, a student does not have to be in the Fixed Rate to be in UHin4.

To remain eligible for UHin4, students are only required to enroll in at least 15 credit hours during their first fall semester.

After that, students must complete one-fourth of their degree requirements each academic year to stay on track for four-year graduation. This allows for some flexibility in semester-to-semester enrollment, as long as the overall annual progress meets the plan’s expectations. Click here to view eligibility requirements.