Tuition, fees, charges, and deposits

The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regental action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following 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, or consult the General Information catalog online.

A student must complete registration by the deadline by making a payment, paying with financial aid, or confirming attendance if the amount due is zero. Registrations that are not complete by the deadline will be canceled, and students will not have access to University services.

Flat rate tuition for undergraduate students

The flat rate tuition for each college covers the student’s academic program costs, including tuition, mandatory fees and charges, and college and course incidental fees. It does not include the general property deposit, the international student health insurance program fee, the international student orientation fee, the independent study and research fee, or fees for extended trips that require students to live off campus.

The flat rates are based on the average per-hour charges for tuition and fees previously paid by students in each college. Because fees previously varied, flat rate tuition varies by college. There is no restriction on the number of hours a full-time student may take when registered at the full-time rate, as long as the student complies with the quantity of work rule given in the General Information catalog.

Students who pursue simultaneous majors in more than one college are charged the higher of the two colleges’ rates.

Flat rate tuition for each college for fall 2012 and spring 2013 is available in PDF format on Student Accounts Receivable's Tuition and Fee Rates page under the Undergraduate Flat-Rate Tuition link. After selecting classes, the student may view his or her tuition and fee bill at the Student Accounts Receivable site.

Flat rate tuition for graduate, law, and professional students

Graduate, law, and professional students have been charged flat rate tuition since fall 2008. The flat rate tuition for each college covers the student's academic program costs, including tuition, mandatory fees and charges, and college and course incidental fees, and is indexed to the number of credit hours taken. It does not include the general property deposit, the international student health insurance program fee, the international student orientation fee, the independent study and research fee, or fees for extended trips that require students to live off campus.

Students enrolled in joint degree programs are charged a flat rate tuition that is proportional to the number of hours taken in each program.

Flat rate tuition for each college for fall 2012 and spring 2013 is available in PDF format on the Tuition and Fee Rates page under the Graduate and Professional Tuition link. After selecting classes, the student may view his or her tuition and fee bill at the Student Accounts Receivable site.

Nonresident tuition for resident students

Because the University is a state-assisted institution, tuition rates are lower for Texas-resident students than for nonresidents, including both out-of-state and international students. (Rules affecting residency are given in chapter 2 of the General Information catalog.) In the following circumstances, a student who is classified as a Texas resident may be charged nonresident tuition.

Undergraduates. State law allows colleges and universities to charge a Texas-resident undergraduate the nonresident tuition rate if the student has attempted an excessive number of hours beyond the number required for his or her degree. In addition, a higher tuition rate may be charged if a student enrolls again in a course he or she has completed. 

As of the current academic year, the University does not charge undergraduates additional tuition for an excessive number of hours or for repeated courses.

Graduate students. A student who has earned more than ninety-nine semester hours of credit at the doctoral level is subject to the nonresident tuition rate, even if the student is a Texas resident or holds an appointment that would normally entitle the holder to pay resident tuition. This policy, sometimes called the Ninety-Nine Hour rule, is authorized by section 54.012 of the Texas Education Code. More information about charges for excessive graduate coursework is available from the Office of Graduate Studies at http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/student_services/academic_policies/99in99.html or (512) 471-4511.

Tuition Exemptions

Tuition exemptions are issued only for the period in which a student is currently enrolled; therefore, unless otherwise stated, applications must be submitted no later than the date of Commencement at the end of the spring semester or the official graduation date at the end of the summer session or fall semester.

» Get a pdf of available exemptions

Tuition Waivers

A waiver allows for a portion of a student’s tuition not to be paid. The student is responsible for payment of the remaining tuition not covered by the waiver. Waivers are issued only for the period in which a student is currently enrolled; therefore, applications must be submitted no later than the date of Commencement at the end of the spring semester or the official graduation date at the end of the summer session or fall semester.

» Get a pdf of available waivers

Third-Party Billing

Agencies outside the University may set up third-party billing arrangements that pay all or part of a student’s tuition bill. The student is responsible for any amount not covered by the third party. Arrangements must be made in advance with the Special Billing Office, Main Building 4.

» Get a pdf of available third-party billing

Fee adjustments

Refunds are applied to any current and outstanding debts owed to the University. Section 54.006(d) of the Texas Education Code requires that the University refund tuition and fees paid by a sponsor, donor, or scholarship to the source, rather than directly to the student, if the funds were made available through the University. All refund orders are cashed at the Office of Accounting Cashiers in Main Bldg rm 8.

Refunds for students withdrawing from the University

Students who withdraw from the University receive a refund of a percentage of their tuition. The percentage varies according to the student’s effective withdrawal date:

Withdrawal refunds are based on the student’s schedule on the effective date of withdrawal; adds and drops are included in the calculation. In some cases, a student may receive two refund checks, one based on dropped courses and one based on withdrawal percentages for remaining courses.

Students withdrawn by the University because of a returned check are assessed a $25 service charge and a matriculation fee. A student withdrawn by the University for scholastic reasons, class cancellations, or other reasons receives a full refund of fees paid that semester; the matriculation fee is not charged.

A student who withdraws as a result of being called to active military service may choose to receive a refund of tuition and fees.  For further information please check the General Information catalog.

A student who withdraws after receiving any cash payment from the Office of Student Financial Services may be required to make full or partial repayment. Funds received through the Federal College Work-Study Program are not subject to repayment. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services for information regarding repayment obligations.

Student Accounts Receivable initiates refunds for all eligible students who submit approved withdrawal petitions to the Office of the Registrar. A refund is issued no earlier than thirty days after the date the student paid the initial tuition and fee bill. The refund is sent to the address specified on the withdrawal petition.  Additional information can be found in the General Information catalog.

Adjustments for added and dropped classes

Applicable charges for added classes must be paid by the end of the twelfth class day in the fall and spring semesters and by the end of the fourth class day in the summer. Nonpayment of tuition for added classes will result in the cancellation of the student's entire registration. Students can determine the amount owed by visiting the My Tuition Bill site.

Overpayments of tuition resulting from classes that a student drops (1) during the first twelve class days in a fall or spring semester; (2) during the first twelve class days of a whole-session class in the summer session; or (3) during the first four class days of a first-term, second-term, or nine-week class in the summer session will be refunded. No refunds are made for classes dropped after these dates. Refunds are issued the week after the twelfth (or fourth, in summer) class day. They are mailed to the student’s local address or deposited into the account the student has designated if an electronic funds transfer authorization is in effect. The student may contact Student Accounts Receivable at (512) 475-7777 to verify account information.

Optional fee refunds

Refunds of the Cactus yearbook fee should be requested at the Texas Student Media office. Parking permit refunds should be requested at the Parking and Transportation Svcs office. Longhorn All-Sports Package refunds should be requested at the Intercollegiate Athletics for Men office.

Tuition rebates for certain undergraduates

An undergraduate may be eligible for a tuition rebate of up to $1,000 if, at graduation, he or she has attempted no more than three semester hours beyond the minimum number of hours required for the degree. Eligibility requirements are given in the General Information catalog. Students apply for the tuition rebate at their dean’s office when they apply for graduation.