Navigating the Texas A&M University Tuition Rebate Program

The Texas A&M University Tuition Rebate program offers a financial incentive for undergraduate students to complete their bachelor's degrees efficiently and with minimal coursework beyond their degree plan. This initiative aims to reward students who prepare for university studies during high school, seek academic counseling, make informed career decisions, and complete their degrees with as few unnecessary courses as possible. By minimizing the number of courses taken, students, parents, and the state can realize significant financial savings. The rebate for eligible students can reach a maximum of $1,000.

Purpose of the Tuition Rebate Program

The core purpose of this program is to encourage students to thoughtfully plan their academic journey, reducing the financial burden on themselves and the state. The program aims to provide tuition rebates that will provide a financial incentive for students to prepare for university studies while completing their high school work, avail themselves of academic counseling, make early career decisions and complete their baccalaureate studies with as few courses outside the degree plan as possible. Minimizing the number of courses taken by students results in financial savings to students, parents and the state.

Eligibility Requirements for the Tuition Rebate

Several criteria determine a student's eligibility for the tuition rebate. These requirements are designed to ensure that the rebate is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to efficient degree completion.

To qualify for the tuition rebate, students must meet the following requirements:

Enrollment Date: The student's first college course after high school graduation must be taken in the fall of 1997 or later.
Residency: The student must have been a Texas resident at all times while pursuing the degree.
In-State Tuition: The student must have been entitled to pay in-state tuition rates throughout their degree program.
Graduation Status: The student must not have graduated yet to apply. If a student has already graduated, it is too late to submit a request for the tuition rebate. Students must apply for the tuition rebate before receiving their baccalaureate degree, using forms provided by the university.
Excess Hours: A student may qualify for the tuition rebate (up to $1000) if s/he has attempted no more than three semester credit hours in excess of the minimum number of hours required for their degree. For example, a student who completes a bachelor's degree that requires 120 credit hours with no more than 123 credit hours attempted might qualify for this rebate.
Timely Graduation (for students beginning in Fall 2005 or later): According to the most recent revision of the rebate program, a student who wants to receive the rebate must graduate with in four calendar years for a four-year degree.
Responsibility: If you wish to qualify for this rebate, know that you are responsible for complying with all rules related to the administration of the program. You are responsible for enrolling only in courses that will qualify you for the rebate. If you transferred from another institution of higher education, you are responsible for providing the University with official transcripts from all institutions attended.

Understanding "Hours Attempted"

A critical aspect of determining eligibility is understanding how "hours attempted" are calculated. This includes all courses for which a student has registered, impacting the rebate qualification.

What counts as "hours attempted?"

Every course for which the student has registered, as of the official Census Date, in every semester, including repeated courses and courses from which the student withdraws (dropped courses as well as withdrawal from the college or university). If a student has dropped more than one course after the official Census Date, he or she will probably not qualify for the rebate.
Transfer credit, including those from a private or out-of-state college or university
Course credit earned exclusively by examination (except that, for the purposes of this program, only the number of semester credit hours earned exclusively by examination in excess of nine semester credit hours is treated as hours attempted). A recent change in the law allows the first nine hours of credit earned by examination (credit earned on the basis of AP courses, CLEP, or credit granted for high SAT or ACT scores) to be exempt. Additional credit earned exclusively by examination will still count toward hours attempted.
Courses dropped after the official census date.
Optional internship and cooperative education courses.
Repeated courses.

What doesn't count as "hours attempted?"

For students graduating with a bachelor's degree in December 2007 or later, course credit that is earned to satisfy requirements for a Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) program but that is not required to complete the degree program.
For students graduating with a bachelor's degree in August 2011 or later, course credit, other than course credit earned exclusively by examination, that is earned before graduating from high school; dual credit hours-courses taken in high school for both high school and college credit. Dual credit courses- courses taken in high school for both high school and college credit â counted as hours attempted until May 27, 2011, which exempts course credit earned prior to high school graduation, except for the credit earned exclusively by examination, from consideration in determining a studentâs eligibility.
Courses dropped for reasons that are determined by the institution to be totally beyond the control of the student.
Developmental or Remedial Education-pre-college, remedial courses, non-degree credit courses.
The first nine hours of credit earned by examination-for example, credit earned through AP courses, CLEP exams or high SAT or ACT scores.

Applying for the Tuition Rebate

To apply for the tuition rebate, students must submit the electronic Tuition Rebate Request form no later than 5:00 pm on the Friday of commencement for the semester of graduation. Each university administers the tuition program on campus. Applications will be kept on file in the Registrar's office until the graduation term indicated on the application. At the end of each term, all applicants will be evaluated to determine if they meet qualifications.

How the Rebate is Applied

The amount of tuition to be rebated to you under this program will be based on state guidelines. Tuition rebates are processed 60 days following graduation. Requests for tuition rebates will be processes within 30 days of degree conferral. The rebate amount will be reduced by any outstanding student loan, including emergency loans, owed to or guaranteed by the State of Texas. Tuition rebates shall be reduced by the amount of any outstanding balance on the student account, outstanding student loan, including an emergency loan, owed to or guaranteed by the State of Texas, including the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation.

If it is determined that you are entitled to a rebate, and you have an outstanding balance owed to the University or to student loans, the University will apply the amount of the rebate to the balances owed. Tuition rebates will be applied to any outstanding student loan owed to or guaranteed by the State of Texas. If a student has more than one outstanding student loan, A&M-San Antonio will apply the amount of the rebate to loans as directed by the student. If the student fails to provide timely instructions on the application of the amount, A&M-San Antonio will apply the amount of the rebate to the loans with the highest interest rate first. If the student fails to provide timely instructions on the application of the amount, A&M-Texarkana will apply the amount of the rebate to the loans with the highest interest rate first. If a student has no outstanding loans, a rebate check will be issued to the student.

If multiple loans exist, the student may direct how the rebate is applied. If a student has more than one outstanding student loan, Texas A&M University-Texarkana will apply the amount of the rebate to loans as directed by the student.

After the tuition rebate is applied to charges on your student account, any remaining credit will be disbursed according to state regulations.

Read also: Affording ECU

You will see one of the following on your student account:

Student Account Refund - This means the credit was refunded to you.
Tuit Reb Returned to TAMU Loan - This means the credit was applied to an outstanding loan owed to the university.

How to View Your Tuition Rebate Status

To view the status of your tuition rebate:

Sign in to Howdy
Search for âUndergraduate Tuition Rebateâ
This will take you to âMy Dashboardâ
Select the âFinancesâ dropdown
Click on the Tuition Rebate link

Once your tuition rebate has been approved, the $1000.00 payment will be posted to your student account with the following description -Undergraduate Tuition Rebate.

To view your student account from Howdy:

Click on the "Payment/Refund (Student Access)" card
Click on the "Account Activity Tabâ and then Show Details on âPayments & Creditsâ

Key Considerations for Students

Careful Planning: Students should carefully plan their course selections to minimize excess hours.
Academic Advising: Seeking guidance from academic advisors can help students stay on track and make informed decisions about their degree plan.
Accurate Records: Maintaining accurate records of all courses taken, including transfer credits and dual credit courses, is essential for determining eligibility.
Timely Application: Students must submit their tuition rebate application before receiving their baccalaureate degree.

Where to Find More Information

For more information on this program, please contact the Registrar's Office or the University Business Office. Find additional information for the $1000 Tuition Rebate program at College for All Texans. To read more about this program, please see Texas Education Code Section 54.0065, Coordinating Board Rules, Chapter 13, Subchapter E.

Read also: Withdrawals for College: A Guide

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