SURCHARGE FOR EXCESS CREDIT HOURS
To encourage students to complete their baccalaureate degrees on time, Florida law requires public colleges and universities to charge higher tuition – as much as twice the normal tuition – for courses earned after a student completes the required credits for their degree program.
Almost all courses count toward the calculation of excess credit hours, including courses you fail, repeat, drop after the drop/add period, withdraw from, and transfer from another institution. The following credits are exempt from the calculation of excess credit hours:
- Credit earned in high school through accelerated programs, such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, AICE or dual enrollment,
- Credit earned by active-duty military or earned in military science as part of the Research Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program,
- Credit required for certification, recertification or certificate programs,
- Credit earned through internships,
- Credit required for a dual major while pursuing a baccalaureate degree,
- Credit for remedial and English as a second language, and
- Withdrawals due to medical or personal hardship.
For students who entered college in Fall 2012 and later, tuition doubles for every course taken after a student earns 110% of the credits needed for their degree. For example, if a degree program requires 120 credits, students may take up to 132 credit hours at the normal tuition, but any courses above that will cost twice as much.
Beginning July 1, 2018, first-time-in-college students who exceed 132 credit hours but graduate in four years may be eligible for a refund of up 12 credits hours, which means students could earn up to 144 credit hours at the normal tuition rate.
For students who entered college between Fall 2011 and Summer 2012, tuition doubles after a student earns 115% of their required credits, which is 138 credits for a degree program that requires 120 credits for graduation.
For students who entered college between Fall 2009 and Summer 2011, tuition increases by 50% after a student earns 120% of their required credits, which is 144 credits for a degree program that requires 120 credits for graduation.
Students who entered college for the first time before Fall 2009 are not subject to higher tuition for excess credit hours.
