Excessive Hours

Texas Education Code § 54.014 specifies that resident undergraduate students who initially enrolled fall 1999 and later may be subject to a higher tuition rate for attempting excessive hours at any public of higher education while classified as a resident student for tuition purposes. Undergraduate student who exceed the maximum hour limitations will be charge the non-resident tuition rate.

• Student who enrolled initially in the fall 1999 semester or subsequent semesters cannot exceed more than 45 hours of the number of hours required for completion of the degree plan in which they are enrolled.  Any hours beyond 45 are considered excessive and will result in additional tuition charges.

• Students who enrolled initially in the fall 2006 semester or subsequent semesters cannot exceed more than 30 hours of the number of hours required for completion of the degree plan in which they are enrolled. Any hours beyond 30 are considered and will result in additional tuition charges.

How do I appeal the Excessive Hours charge?

Fill out the Excessive Hours Hardship Appeal eForm. Once we have reviewed the appeal we will send an email regarding the decision.  There are three options for appealing the excessive hours charge based on hardship:

1. Disability/Illness: Attach the required Letter of Support requested and received through the Office of Disability Services to support your or illness.  This option is only available if the student is the one with the disability or illness, not a family member.
2. Pell Grant Eligible: Pell Grant is based on financial need as by a student's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) score. In order to view the EFC score, students will need to submit a FAFSA for the current aid year.
3. Financial Hardship: You are currently experiencing financial hardship or you are the caregiver of someone with disability or illness, and have documentation.

The University will make a decision based on the information given and will inform you via email of the decision.