FAQs: UT Tyler Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan

UT Tyler Cashiers Office

Q: Why is UT Tyler offering a Guaranteed Tuition Plan for new students?

A change in Texas law allows UT Tyler to offer two tuition rate plans. UT Tyler is leveraging this opportunity to allow students and their families the chance to lock in a fixed tuition rate for four years, regardless of tuition increases during that time. The plan is designed to reward those students who do what it takes to graduate in four years.

Students who maintain a 3.0 UT Tyler grade point average (GPA) or higher during the 48 months after they have opted into the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan and earn 30 or more semester credit hours required for their degree each year will also be eligible to earn tuition rebates.

Q: What is the Traditional Tuition Rate Plan?

UT Tyler also offers a Traditional Tuition Rate Plan based on rates set by The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Rates are subject to future increases.

All students initially are placed in the Traditional Tuition Rate Plan. Eligible students can opt in to the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan to lock in rates and earn rebates now through the first day of the semester by requesting, completing and returning the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan Application by the first day of the semester. Call the cashiers at 903.566.7227 or email the cashiers at cashiers@uttyler.edu to request the application.

Q: What are the benefits of the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan vs. the Traditional Tuition Rate Plan?

By opting into the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan, UT Tyler students and their families can lock in today's tuition rates, protect against any future tuition increases and earn up to $1,200 off the cost of a four-year degree. The savings could be greater if tuition rates increase in future years.

The plan is designed to aid and reward students who complete at least 30 semester credit hours toward their degree during an academic year – an essential strategy for graduating on time. Participating students also must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in courses completed at UT Tyler that count toward their degree plans.

While the tuition for each term is locked in for 48 months, students who opt into the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan pay tuition only for those terms in which the student is enrolled at UT Tyler during that four-year period.

Whichever plan you choose, know that UT Tyler is committed to keeping costs down for its students, and at the same time increasing the quality of education and student success initiatives.

Q: How does the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan incentive program work?

• Request, complete and return the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan application by the first day of the semester by calling UT Tyler's Cashiers Office at 903.566.7176 or by emailing the Cashiers Office at cashiers@uttyler.edu.
• Earn 30 credit hours toward your degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA at UT Tyler your first academic year and receive $200 off your next semester's tuition payment.
• Earn 60 credit hours toward your degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA at UT Tyler your second academic year and receive $400 off your next semester's tuition payment.
• Earn 90 credit hours toward your degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA at UT Tyler your third academic year and receive $600 off your next semester's tuition payment.

Q: How are the rebates disbursed?

The rebate will appear as a credit on the student's account and apply toward tuition and fees. Any subsequent payment(s) the student makes, along with financial aid disbursement will first be applied to remaining tuition and fee balances, then other charges such as housing, meal plan, etc.

Q: Who is eligible to opt in to the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan?

Freshmen and undergraduate transfer students who are seeking their first bachelor's degree are eligible for the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan beginning Fall 2014.
Students who earned college credit through UT Tyler high school dual credit programs are eligible to select the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan and may qualify for the tuition rebates if they meet the required benchmarks at UT Tyler.

The plan does not apply to continuing undergraduate students or graduate students.

Once a student opts in to the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan, he or she may not select a different tuition plan (in the current term or in future terms).

Q: How and when do I choose my tuition plan?

Choose the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan by requesting, completing and returning the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan Application by the first day of the semester. Call the cashiers at 903.566.7227 or email the cashiers at cashiers@uttyler.edu to request the application.

Students are automatically enrolled in the Traditional Tuition Rate Plan.

Q: If I participate in the Texas Tomorrow Fund, the Texas Tuition Promise Fund, or if I have a 529 Plan, am I still eligible to opt into the UT Tyler Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan?

Yes and yes. College savings tuition plans may be used toward your UT Tyler tuition, and you remain eligible for the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan rebate program. It is always wise to consult a financial advisor to determine the best distribution of funds from your college savings plans.

Q: Do college credit hours that I accumulate through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests or dual credit courses affect my ability to participate in the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan?

No, pre-college credit earned through AP, IB, CLEP tests or dual credit courses will not affect students' opportunity to opt into the UT Tyler Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan. The UT Tyler incentive program is based on how many hours you complete at UT Tyler. College credit hours earned before high school graduation do not count against new freshmen who start UT Tyler directly after high school and enroll in the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan.

Q: What if I enroll in a special program, such as Study Abroad?

Most programs are still eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan, but there are some exceptions.

In some cases, students may be eligible for the guaranteed tuition rate but not for the rebates because of the requirement to complete their degree in the four-year period. It is important to work with your academic advisor to determine your time-to-degree.

Q: How do University grading policies like Grade Forgiveness affect my ability to qualify for rebates?

The tuition rebate program requires successfully completing 30 hours toward your degree plan in one academic year (Fall to Summer). Hours that do not count toward the UT Tyler GPA are not included in the hours needed to meet the rebate requirements. These include hours that are forgiven under Grade Forgiveness, and any other hours where no grade points are earned, including grades of I (Incomplete), P (Pass in Pass/Fail Option), W (Withdrawal), Q (Withdrawal-No Penalty), NC (No Credit), and F (Failure), and any illegally repeated courses. For additional information, refer to the University grading policies of the catalog.

Grades that are earned as a result of Grade Forgiveness will be calculated into the GPA that is evaluated to meet the 3.0 minimum GPA requirement.

Q: Will the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan affect my eligibility for or the amount of financial aid and/or scholarships I am eligible for?

Regardless of which tuition plan you select, you may be eligible to receive financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meeting the general eligibility requirements.

Q: What happens if I don't graduate in my allotted time under the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan?

There is no penalty for graduating in more than four years. The Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan, however, only locks in your tuition for four years.

If you take more time to earn your degree, your tuition rate would increase to the guaranteed tuition rate for the next academic year. For example, if you lock in at the 2014-2015 guaranteed rate but do not finish in four years, your fifth year would be billed at the 2015-2016 rate.

In addition, students who take longer than four years to graduate incur additional costs, such as living expenses, books and fees that can dramatically increase the cost of a college education. It pays to graduate on time.

Q: How can I graduate in four years?

Graduating in four years is a smart decision. No matter which tuition rate plan you choose, an extra year costs a lot.

To graduate in four years, you'll need to earn 30 college credit hours each year. Your academic advisor will help you plan how to achieve this goal.

Q: Do you have plans to make all required classes available for each major every semester?

UT Tyler makes every effort to offer the courses necessary for your degree throughout the academic year. Each term, your academic dean and faculty members work hard to identify scheduling needs for both current classes and new class offerings.

UT Tyler offers three-week, five-week and 12-week summer sessions to give students added flexibility in terms of when classes are available.

Q: May I transfer in hours and still qualify for the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan?

Yes. Beginning with the Fall 2014 term, UT Tyler offers each new undergraduate student, including undergraduate transfer students, the opportunity to opt into the UT Tyler Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan.

Q: Can I enroll in the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan, leave school for a semester or year, and return to the plan?

Yes, you will remain in the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan for four consecutive years, regardless of enrollment status. Once you have exceeded the four years (12 consecutive semesters) allowed under this program, you would pay tuition at the next available Guaranteed Tuition Rate.

Please note: To qualify for the tuition rebates, you must begin each 30-hour increment in the fall semester and earn no less than 30 credit hours during the one-year period that begins in August with the fall semester.

Q: If I meet the conditions of the plan and graduate in the allotted time, will I get the state's on-time tuition rebate?

For information about this program and its qualifications, please refer to the information available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

Q: Whom may I contact for more information about the Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan?

Contact us via email at cashiers@uttyler.edu