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Tuition Overview

There are essentially three types of tuition;

• Statutory
• Designated
• Board-Authorized

The three types of tuition are defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as shown in underlined italics below:

Statutory tuition--A tuition charge authorized under Texas Education Code, §54.051, in an amount determined by the Texas Legislature for resident or nonresident students. This includes the charge for state-funded continuing education courses.

Charging of statutory tuition is mandated by the State. The institutions do not have a say in setting the rate or discretion in waiving these charges, unless specifically authorized by statute. For example, the institutions are required to waive this charge to military veterans who meet certain criteria.

Designated tuition--A tuition charge authorized under Texas Education Code, §54.0513, that institutions other than public community colleges may impose on any graduate or undergraduate, resident or nonresident student, in an amount that the governing board of the institution considers necessary for the effective operation of the institution.

Designated tuition morphed into its present state over a period of years. Originally, there existed a Building Use Fee which was introduced in 1969. Through time the legislature broadened the allowed uses of this fee and was thus renamed the General Use Fee. In 1997 the 75th legislature renamed the fee yet again to its present name of Designated Tuition.

Beginning on September 1, 2003 designated tuition was "deregulated" by HB301 of the 78th Legislature, so that university governing boards now have the authority to set designated tuition rates at any level considered “necessary for the effective operation of the institution”. However, the institutions are required to set aside 20% of the resident charge and 15% of the graduate charge over $46 per semester credit for Financial Assistance for students.

In addition, governing boards must conduct a public hearing at the institution before increasing designated tuition rates. (This responsibility was delegated by the Board to the presidents.) Additionally, a governing board may waive all or part of the charge in the case of undue economic hardship.

In addition to the amount of designated tuition collected, UTPA imposes an Excess Credit Hour fee, which is charged as additional designated tuition to students who have exceeded the required degree plan hours (Texas Education Code §61.0595)

Board authorized tuition--A tuition charge that a general academic teaching institution or a medical and dental unit may impose on any graduate resident or nonresident student in an amount as specified in Texas Education Code, §54.008.

Board authorized tuition is also called Differential Tuition by some due to the fact that it is a differential rate between the undergraduate and graduate rates.

In the table below are the tuition rates charged at UTPA through time. A fiscal year begins on September 1 and ends on August 31st of the following year. For example, fiscal year 2001 runs from September 1, 2000 through August 31, 2001.