General Information | Financial Information

ALL TUITION AND FEES ARE CORRECT AS OF THE DATE OF PRINTING BUT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ACTION OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE OR BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

The University receives Instructional Funds from the State as follows. For the two long semesters, the total number of semester hours for which students have registered, as of the twelfth class day, is the number of hours on which the funds are based. For each summer session, funds are based on total registered hours as of the fourth class day of each session. Students who have not completed their registration by the above dates may not receive credit for work for the semester/session.

The Texas Legislature has authorized collection of tuition and fees during a fall or spring semester by one of two methods: payment in full or one-half payment of the tuition and fees at registration and separate one-quarter payments due prior to the sixth and eleventh class weeks. Parking permits and late registration fees are examples of charges which must be paid in full and are not eligible for installment payment. There is an additional processing fee of $30 for administration of the installment payment plan. Failure to make timely installment payments will cause accrual of late charges ($15 per installment).

Any financial aid, tuition waivers, grants or deferments will be used to reduce the amount owed by the student, with the remaining balance eligible for the installment payment plan. During a summer session, the tuition and fees are collectible in full. The Texas Legislature has reserved the right to discontinue the installment payment plan.

Students will not be admitted to classes by the instructors until their tuition and fees are paid.

PAYMENTS

Payments made for registration purposes may be made by cash, cashier’s check, personal check, money order, or VISA or MasterCard credit card. All checks and money orders are accepted subject to final payment.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Students are expected to meet financial obligations to the University within the designated time allowed. Registration fees are payable at registration, except for that portion of the registration fee that may be temporarily deferred, but payable later in scheduled payments as part of an installment payment agreement. Students are not entitled to enter classes or laboratories until their appropriate fees and deposits have been paid. Other charges are due at registration or within ten days after a bill is rendered by the University, or according to special payment instructions that may be printed on the bill or agreement.

Failure to pay the amount owed in full, including appropriate penalty and late fee charges, prior to registration for a future semester or prior to the last class day for the current semester or summer session can result in any or all of the following sanctions: 1) withholding of future registration privileges; 2) withholding award of degree; and 3) withholding of an official transcript.

Students who pay fees with a returned check may suffer the above sanctions as well as those shown in the following section.

COLLECTIONS FOR NONPAYMENT

Nonpayment by the end of the semester will result in transfer of the student’s account to a contracted collection agency and assessment of a collection fee of at least 25 percent of the outstanding balance. The University may also choose to litigate an account on advice of University legal counsel. Should an account be litigated, the student will be responsible for all litigation expenses including attorney’s fees and court costs. Accounts that are referred to a contracted collection agency may also be reported to credit bureaus.

RETURNED CHECK POLICY
A returned check is defined as one returned to the University rightfully unpaid due to no fault of the bank or the University. The check may be written by the student or the check may be written on his/her behalf by a spouse, guardian, friend or sponsor.

The University reserves the right to refuse personal checks of any student who previously has had checks returned.

Each returned check is subject to a $25 check processing fee. Students have 10 days from the date on which notice is sent from the Business Office in which to pay the returned check and the returned check processing fee or inform the Business Office of their intent. Thereafter, the student may be resigned from the University. (The student should not assume that he/she will be resigned. If the student discontinues going to class without officially resigning from school, he/she will be subject to the grade of F.) Students who have been resigned are eligible for reinstatement upon redemption of such check or checks, plus the returned check processing fee and the payment of a reinstatement charge of $50. A student who fails to make payment prior to the first day of final exams will not receive credit for the work done that semester and will not be allowed to register for future semesters until the delinquent amount is paid. In addition, the checks will be referred to the District Attorney of Walker County for prosecution and collection. Past due accounts are referred to a national credit company.

Students will be given the opportunity to be heard regarding any special circumstances. Such circumstances will be given full and fair consideration, and exceptions to the returned check policy may be granted by the Director of the Business Office or a delegated employee, based on the evidence presented.

EXPLANATION OF FEES

The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by legislative or regental action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition, fees, and charges information should be used only as a guideline for estimating costs. For clarification of any matter relating to payment or refund of tuition, fees, charges, and deposits, contact the office or administrative unit from which the charge or refund originated.

Tuition and Designated Tuition: Resident students pay $44 tuition per semester credit hour during academic year 2002-03 and $46 tuition per semester credit hour during academic year 2003-04. Nonresident students (out-of-state and international) currently pay $262 tuition per semester credit hour. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board calculates each year the nonresident tuition.

In addition, the designated tuition is charged at the rate of $35 per semester credit hour for academic year 2002-03 and $39 per semester credit hour for academic year 2003-04.

Student Service Fee: The student service fee per semester credit hour is $19 for academic year 2002-03 and academic year 2003-04 (not exceeding $171 per semester and $95 per summer session). The fee covers services at the University Health Center, the Intramural Program, the Student Life Support Programs, and the Extramural Programs. The fee provides admission to athletic events at Sam Houston State under the auspices of the Department of Athletics.

Student Center Fee: The student center fee is required at the rate of $60 per semester ($30 per summer session) for academic year 2002-03 and academic year 2003-04 and is used to fund the Lowman Student Center programs and activities.

Computer Use Fee: This fee is charged at a rate of $10 per semester credit hour for academic year 2002-03 and $11 per semester credit hour for academic year 2003-04. It is used for the training of students, faculty and staff, and for providing support services for operation, maintenance, and replacement of computer hardware and software.

Recreational Sports Fee: Legislative action authorizes a recreational sports fee not to exceed $44 semester ($22 per summer session) for academic year 2002-03 and academic year 2003-04. It may be used to purchase equipment for and/or construct, operate, maintain recreational sports facilities and programs.

International Education Fee: This fee of $1 is charged each semester or summer session and is used only to assist students participating in international student exchange or study programs.

Library Fee: Board action authorizes a library fee of $30 per semester and $15 per summer session for academic years 2002-03 and 2003-04. The library fee directly benefits students by supporting their classroom and research needs. The Newton Gresham Library uses this fund to purchase books, add electronic databases, and new journal subscriptions.

Advisement Fee: A fee of $50 for a long term (semester) and $25 for each summer term (session) is charged and is used to fund the Student Advising and Mentoring Center (SAM Center), which is available to all students. Advising through this center takes a more proactive orientation in helping students succeed in university life.

Late Registration Fee: A late payment fee of $10 is charged all students who register on or after the first class day of any semester or summer session.

Matriculation Fee: A matriculation fee of $15 is charged if a student resigns before the 1st class day of the semester or summer session.

University Center Fee: Classes provided at The University Center has an additional fee of $30 per semester credit hour for academic year 2002- 2003 and $35 per semester credit hour for academic year 2002- 2003.

General Property Deposit. Each student is required to make a General Property Deposit of $10 which will remain with the University through his/her career here except as noted below. All charges for property losses, damages, and breakages in libraries or laboratories must be settled promptly. However, any unpaid current charges will be deducted from the deposit before a refund is made.

Refund of General Property Deposit. The General Property Deposit, less charges, will be returned to the student at the end of his/her career as a student. However, any General Property Deposit which remains without call for refund for a period of four years from the date of last attendance at this university shall be forfeited. The deposit will then become a part of, and operative to, the permanent use and purpose of the University Student Deposit Fund.

TUITION AND FEES REFUND POLICY

A student enrolled at Sam Houston State University may receive a refund of tuition and fees as indicated in the schedules below:

1. 1. Dropping Courses—a student who drops one or more courses for any given semester/summer session, but remains enrolled in at least one course.
2. Resignations/Withdrawals—a student who resigns/withdraws from all of his/her courses for a given semester/summer session.

Refunds and credits from one department will be applied to any other outstanding balances in other departments. Any remaining refund will be mailed to the permanent address on the student record when the refund is processed. The University may refund tuition and fees paid by a sponsor, donor or scholarship to the source rather than directly to the student who has withdrawn if the funds were made available to the University.

Refund policies were established by Senate Bill No. 604 of the 65th Legislature and adopted by the Board of Regents, Texas State University System, in August of 1977 and by the applicable federal regulations dealing with first semester financial aid students.

Dropping Courses (see NOTE below)

A student who submits a request to drop one or more courses from a schedule of classes may be eligible for refunds. The refund schedule for dropping courses is stated below.

Resignations/Withdrawals (see NOTE below)

The student who officially withdraws from Sam Houston State University may be eligible for a refund of tuition and the specified fees, based upon the courses in which the student is enrolled on the official date of withdrawal. Refunds are made in accordance with the following schedule:

Fall and Spring Semesters State Statutory Refund Schedule of Tuition and Fees
Before the 1st class day	100% — Less $15 Matriculation Fee
1st class day through 5th class day	80%
6th class day through 10th class day	70%
11th class day through 15th class day	50%
16th class day through 20th class day	25%
Thereafter	No refund

NOTE: Class days are University class days, not the number of days an individual class meets. Class days are to be counted from the first class meeting of on-campus daytime courses as indicated in the Academic Calendar.

NOTE: Class days are University class days, not the number of days an individual class meets. Class days are to be counted from the first class meeting of on-campus daytime courses as indicated in the Academic Calendar.

Students who receive Title IV aid in the form of a Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Stafford Loan, or PLUS Loan and resign on or before completing 60% of the semester will be required to repay the percentage of unearned financial aid according to the federal “Return to Title IV Aid” formula derived from the 1998 Re-authorization of the Higher Education Act. The percentage of aid to be repaid to SFA programs is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester.

Refunds are to be returned to lenders or program accounts in the following statutorily specified order provided the student has received funds from the account:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans
4. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans
5. Federal Perkins Loans
6. Federal PLUS Loans
7. Direct PLUS Loans
8. Federal Pell Grants
9. FSEOGs
10. Other federal, state, private or institutional sources of aid
11. The Student

The above schedule assumes the student has paid his or her fees in full. A different schedule applies to the installment payment plan participants — the primary difference in the schedule being the requirement for the University to compute the refund based on the assumption that the full amount of tuition and fees have been collected. Therefore, it is possible, and probable, that a student in the installment plan could owe more in tuition and fees than already collected by the University. These extra amounts, if any, would be due and payable before the student would be allowed to resign from the University.

TUITION AND FEES SCHEDULE

All tuition and fees are correct as of the date of printing but are subject to change by action of the State Legislature or the Board of Regents. Nonresident tuition (out-of-state and international) is calculated each year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Included in the amounts above are Tuition and Designated Tuition, Student Service Fee, Student Center Fee, Computer Use Fee, Library Fee, Recreational Sports Fee, International Education Fee, Advisement Fee.

Course related or program related fees are examples of fees not included in the above estimates. The reader is directed to review Explanation of Fees in this catalogue. Additional information is available on-line.

TUITION AND FEES SCHEDULE

All tuition and fees are correct as of the date of printing but are subject to change by action of the State Legislature or the Board of Regents. Nonresident tuition (out-of-state and international) is calculated each year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Included in the amounts above are Tuition and Designated Tuition, Student Service Fee, Student Center Fee, Computer Use Fee, Library Fee, Recreational Sports Fee, International Education Fee, Advisement Fee.

Course related or program related fees are examples of fees not included in the above estimates. The reader is directed to review Explanation of Fees in this catalogue. Additional information is available on-line.

RESIDENCE CLASSIFICATION FOR TUITION PURPOSES

The Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board establish the Rules and Regulations for determining residence classification. Texas residency for tuition purposes is generally obtained by residing and/or being gainfully employed in Texas for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to enrollment in any college or university, by being a dependent of a Texas resident (individual who is claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes by the individual’s parent or legal guardian at the time of registration and for the tax year preceding the year in which the individual registers), or by being classified as a Texas Resident for the first five of the six years immediately preceding registration (not living out of the state more than 12 months immediately prior to registration).

A nonresident student may qualify to pay in-state tuition by meeting the requirements of a tuition waiver. The current tuition waiver options include: 1) the student or his/her spouse or parent is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is stationed in Texas; 2) the student or his/her spouse or parent is employed at least half time by an institution of higher education in Texas as a teacher or professor; 3) the student or his/her spouse or parent has a teaching or research assistantship at any Texas institution of higher education on at least a half-time basis; 4) the student holds a competitive scholarship awarded by the university of at least $1,000 for the academic year or summer; or 5) is a student whose family has been transferred to Texas by a company in keeping with the state’s Economic Development and Diversification Program.

By state law, the student has the responsibility of registering under the proper residence classification. If a student has knowledge of an error in his/her residence classification for tuition purposes, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Residence Classification Officer immediately. For more information concerning the Rules and Regulations for determining Texas residence classification, please contact the Residence Classification Officer, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Sam Houston State University, Box 2418, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2418, or by calling (936) 294-3783 or 294-1828.

TUITION REBATES FOR
CERTAIN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

A tuition rebate program was created by Senate Bill 1907, 75th Texas Legislature, and is authorized by Section 54.0065 of the Texas Education Code.

The purpose of this program is 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 extraneous courses as possible. Minimizing the number of courses taken by students results in financial savings to students, parents, and the state.

Students are required to apply for the rebate during the semester in which the student plans to graduate or within 60 days of the date of graduation. Applications are available on the web, or the Registrar’s Office, Bobby K. Marks Administration Building, Room 104.

TUITION FOR EXCESSIVE UNDERGRADUATE HOURS

Senate Bill 345, 76th Texas Legislature, states that an institution of higher education, under specific conditions, may charge a resident undergraduate student a higher tuition rate than the rate charged to other resident undergraduate students. The higher tuition rate may not exceed the rate charged to nonresident undergraduate students. The law applies only to students who enrolled for the first time in a Texas public institution of higher education beginning with the 1999 fall semester.

The higher tuition rate may be charged to an undergraduate student, who is classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes and, who before the semester or other academic session begins, has previously attempted at least 45 semester credit hours above the number of semester credit hours required for completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

The following are not counted for purposes of determining whether the student exceeds the 45 semester credit hour limit: (1) semester credit hours earned by the student before receiving a baccalaureate degree that has been previously awarded to the student; (2) semester credit hours earned by the student by examination or any other procedure by which credit is earned for which tuition was not charged; (3) credit for a developmental education course, a technical course, a workforce education course funded according to contact hours, or another course that does not count toward the student’s degree program at the institution; and (4) semester credit hours earned at a private institution or out-of-state institution.

RESIDENCE LIFE

RESIDENCE HALLS

The Department of Residence Life operates over thirty residence halls or housing units, including two apartment units for upperclassmen and families. A housing brochure which provides complete details of the residence life program at Sam Houston, including information regarding specific residence halls, applicable rates, an application, and policies, is available upon request from the Department of Residence Life, Sam Houston State University, Box 2416, Huntsville, Texas 77341. Additional information may be obtained by calling (936) 294-1812 or by visiting the Residence Life website.

A student is required to be enrolled in the University each semester, including summer, in order to reside in University housing. Either the husband or wife must be enrolled in the University while living in family apartments.

A housing application form is included with the housing brochure and may be filed in person, by mail, or by fax. A deposit of $200 is required with the application for housing. Assignments are made on a space-available basis according to the date of deposit. Prior to the beginning of a semester, the student will be mailed a residence hall or apartment assignment, the appropriate arrival and check-in hours, and other information. The housing contract will be in effect and must be adhered to for the academic year.

Should a student become unable to fulfill a reservation, a refund may be made under certain conditions. Please refer to the Housing Application/Contract for specific details regarding refunds which are determined by the date the cancellation is received.

Payment for housing may be made in full at registration or in an installment arrangement. Payment of rent and/or deposit may be made via MasterCard and/or VISA, if desired. A late fee of $10 is charged on all payments received after established deadlines. Information on specific dates of payments and amounts due may be obtained from the Department of Residence Life.

University residence halls are closed during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and during spring recess.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY COLONY APARTMENTS

The University maintains two-bedroom, unfurnished apartments for upperclassmen and families. The apartments are located on Bobby K. Marks Drive (formerly Avenue H) across from the University Theatre Center. All residents must be enrolled in the University.

UNIVERSITY FAMILY APARTMENTS

The University maintains two-bedroom apartments for families with either the husband or wife enrolled in the University. The apartments are furnished with the exception of living room furniture. At least one member of the married family, either the husband or the wife, must be enrolled in the University.

FRESHMEN REQUIRED HOUSING AND MEAL PLAN POLICY

All freshman students are required to reside in University housing and to purchase a meal plan during their freshman year, which will normally include the Fall and Spring semesters. Anyone signing an academic year housing/meal plan contract will be required to fulfill the terms of that contract. Exceptions to the Freshman Required Housing and Meal Plan Policy may be made by the Department of Residence Life if:

1. Residence in University housing will impose a significant hardship, financial or otherwise; or
2. the student is married and living with his/her spouse; or
3. the student commutes from the home of his/her parents, grandparents, or a brother or sister; or
4. the student graduated at least one year prior to attending Sam Houston State University; or
5. the student is a veteran of military service.

Sufficient evidence to warrant consideration for a waiver of this requirement must be submitted to the Department of Residence Life prior to registration. Registration for classes will be permitted only after the necessary arrangements for the housing/meal plan are made or approval of waiver of this requirement is obtained. A denial of this request may be appealed to the Assistant Director of Residence Life. Charges for both services will be added to the student’s account until approval is obtained. Any student that does not comply with the above policy will be subject to disciplinary action as specified by the Code of Student Conduct as published in Student Guidelines.

DINING SERVICE

Four meal plans are available at the time of this catalogue printing. The 20, 15 or 5 meal plans offer the given number of meals per week (Monday through Sunday). The fourth option provides for 160 meals during the semester. Students who purchase the 20, any 160 or 5 meal plans receive 100 “Bonus Points” toward the Bearkat Express. Students who purchase the 15 meal plan will receive 155 “Bonus Points” toward the Bearkat Express. The Bearkat Express is a declining balance account in which a minimum of $25 is deposited and the cash price of food purchases is deducted from the balance. Bearkat Express funds are nonrefundable. Bearkat Express is welcome at any ARAMARK managed campus dining facility. The 5 meal plan is an ideal choice for commuters. Rates and additional information are available from the Department of Residence Life.

SUMMER HOUSING

Summer accommodations vary from year to year because of renovation and maintenance schedules; however, facilities are offered to both single students and families. Rooms in residence halls and efficiency apartments for single students, and apartments for families usually are open for summer school students. Assignments are made according to date of deposit.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP INCOME TAX CREDIT
and
LIFETIME LEARNING TAX CREDIT

Beginning January 1, 1998, taxpayers (students or their parents) may be eligible to claim a nonrefundable Hope Scholarship Tax Credit against their federal income taxes. The Hope Scholarship Credit may be claimed for the qualified tuition and certain related expenses (not housing/dining) of EACH student in the taxpayer’s family (i.e., the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or an eligible dependent) who is enrolled at least halftime in one of the first two years of post secondary education and who is enrolled in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other organized educational credential. The credit that may be claimed varies, depending on the family and student financial situation, but may be as much as $1,500 for a freshman or sophomore.

Another tax credit known as the Lifetime Learning Credit applies to junior, senior and/or graduate students enrolled at least halftime in an institution of higher education. Congress has established that the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit begins for payments made after July 1, 1998.

STUDENT RECRUITMENT VISITOR CENTER

In order to provide assistance in educational planning to various high schools and community colleges, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions furnishes information on the programs and facilities offered at Sam Houston State University. Additionally, programs are planned by this office to enhance the individual student’s academic and social growth upon enrollment as a beginning student. In marketing the University, this office assembles descriptive departmental brochures for individuals and groups.

Prospective college students or interested groups are encouraged to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to obtain additional information. Telephone: (936) 294-1844. Website.