ACC and State Law
Q1: Why is ACC doing this?
A1: By law, ACC will no longer receive state funds to cover any portion of the cost for certain classes attempted three or more times. Without these funds, ACC will charge students the full cost of delivering instruction, $60 in addition to the regular tuition determined by residency. Additional fees per credit hour (e.g. building fees) will not change.
Q2: What will ACC do with the extra money?
A2: There is no extra money. The added cost under the Third Course Attempt represents the course costs that state appropriations will no longer cover. As a nonprofit entity, ACC cannot charge students more than the actual cost of delivering instruction.
Q3: What counts as an attempt?
A3: Early in each semester, the college reports your enrollment to the state. As a result of that report, the state then sends money to the college to cover part of the cost of delivering instruction to you. Therefore, if your enrollment has been reported to the State, your enrollment is considered an “attempt.” It makes no difference if you later withdraw or what grade you may earn in the course. If you drop the course prior to the reporting date, the course never appears on your transcript, and the enrollment is not counted as an “attempt.” Attempts include courses taken at Austin Community College since the fall 2002 semester.
Q4: I’m currently taking a class for the third time this fall and have already paid. Will I have to pay more now?
A4: No. The new policy goes into effect with the spring 2006 semester.
Q5: Whom should I contact with additional questions or concerns?
A5: For more information, including exemptions, waivers, and appeals, contact any campus Dean of Student Services:
- Cypress Creek: Amber Kelley (512.223.2012, amberk@austincc.edu)
- Eastview: Dorado Kinney, (512.223.5129, email)
- Northridge: Clint Rodenfels (512.223.4721, crodenfel@austincc.edu)
- Pinnacle: George Reyes (512.223.8007, rey@austincc.edu)
- Rio Grande: Voncille Wright, (512/223-3128), vwright@austincc.edu
- Riverside: Dr. Virginia Fraire, (512/223-6019); vfraire@austincc.edu
- Round Rock: Dr. Louella H. Tate (512.223.0045, ltate@austincc.edu)
- South Austin: Yolanda Chapa, (512.223.9154, ymc@stincc.edu)
Exemptions/Appeals/Applicability
Q6: What should I do if I’m currently taking a class for the second time and my advisor/instructor is recommending that I withdraw? I can’t afford the extra cost if I take the class again.
A6: ACC’s goal is to see you succeed, and there are numerous support services in place to help you. Discuss your situation with your advisor and/or instructor, who can recommend effective ways to improve your performance and possibly earn credit for the class.
Q7: Is there an appeal process by which the additional tuition could be waived?
A7: Waiver appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the relevant Campus Dean of Student Services (see Question 5).
Q8: Will I be charged the additional tuition if I take the course for the third time at a college outside ACC? Do transferred courses taken from colleges other than ACC count in the number of attempts?
A8: No. Courses transferred to ACC do not count as attempts.
Q9: Does the additional tuition apply to all coursework I have taken at ACC?
A9: No. All identified credit courses taken since the fall 2002 semester (Aug. 2002) are included in the third or subsequent attempt, but others, such as Continuing Education courses and certification courses, are not. List of affected courses (PDF format).
Q10: How will I know if I am going to be charged the additional tuition?
A10: Students registering online will receive additional tuition information when they register the third or subsequent time for a course. Students registering with the assistance of an advisor should receive additional tuition information when they register the third or subsequent time for a course.
Q11: If I pay out-of-district, out-of-state or international tuition, is the rate higher for me?
A11: No. All students, regardless of residency, will pay an additional $60 per credit hour.
Q12: If I am exempt from paying tuition, will I still be charged the additional tuition if I enroll in a course for the third or subsequent time?
A12: The following types of waivers will negate the additional tuition for a third or more attempt (may be others; check with Admissions):
• Hearing impaired
• Visually impaired
• Certified Educational Aide
• Dependent of a POW/MIA
• Dependent of a Disabled Fireman or Police Officer
• Early College Start
• Firefighter
• Foster Care
• Hazelwood
• Hazelwood Dependent
• Senior Citizens
For complete information about possible waivers, see your advisor.
Q13: Are any types of courses exempt?
A13: Yes. The following types of courses are exempt because they are designed to be repeated and do not count toward the limit:
- Thesis and dissertation courses
- Continuing education courses
- Courses that may be repeated for credit because they involve different or more advanced content each time they are taken, including, but not limited to, private music lessons, Workforce Education Course Manual Special Topics courses (when the topic changes), and studio art
- Independent study hours, except when the independent study course has the case content and functions as a substitute for a course the student has already taken two or more times
- Special topics courses that can be repeated for credit with different content, except when a special topics course has the same content as a course the student has already taken two or more times
Q14: I’m not from Texas, and have never paid taxes here. As a student, am I exempt from this policy?
A14: No. All students, regardless of residency, will pay an additional $60 per credit hour.
Tuition/Financial Aid
Q15: What tuition will I be charged if I take a course three or more times?
A15: The additional charge for each credit course will be $60 per credit hour in addition to the tuition that is charged based on your residency status. For instance, a three-credit-hour class for an in-district student will cost $117 + $180 in tuition for a third or more attempt for a total of $297.
Q16: Will my financial aid pay for the additional tuition?
A16: The additional tuition charges can be paid with your financial aid award if there is enough money remaining from your award. Please keep in mind that Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards limit the number of hours you may attempt before losing eligibility to receive financial aid.
Q17: Will I receive a refund on the additional tuition if I withdraw during the refund timeframe?
A17: Yes. The additional tuition will be refunded at the same refund percentage as the base tuition. Please refer to the course schedule for detailed tuition refund information
Q18: May I use the installment payment plan to pay the additional tuition?
A18: Yes. The additional tuition will be included in the installment payment plan automatically.
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