Tuition by the Credit Hour
Beginning summer 1996, KU students began paying tuition by the credit hour.
What is tuition by the credit hour?
Tuition by the credit hour means you pay a set rate for every credit hour you take. Beginning in summer 1996, students began paying tuition by the credit hour.
For years, KU charged a flat rate. Why did KU change to tuition by the credit hour?
The Kansas Board of Regents (the governing body for KU and other state universities) approved the change for two universities - KU and K-State. K-State and KU proposed the change to make tuition charges equitable for all students. Also, university administrators hope to discourage students from "shopping" for courses, that is, enrolling in many courses, deciding after a few days of classes which ones they want, and dropping the rest.
What if I'm an undergraduate taking graduate-level courses? Or a graduate student taking undergraduate-level courses?
Undergraduates who take a course or courses numbered 700 and above will pay graduate rates for those courses. For all other courses, undergraduates will pay undergraduate tuition rates.
Graduate students who take a course or courses numbered below 500 will pay undergraduate rates. For all other courses, they will pay graduate rates.
How will refunds work?
Students who drop courses before classes begin will receive a 100 percent refund. The 90 percent refund period will begin the first day of classes and will continue through the 10th day of classes. The 50 percent refund period will run from the 11th through the 20th day of classes.
What are the penalties for dropping classes?
It is important to understand the penalty for dropping classes in any refund period except the 100 percent period. If you drop hours during any of these periods and don't add the same number of hours back in that same refund period, you will not get a full refund. You will get a refund minus either 10 percent or 50 percent.
We encourage you to decide the number of hours you want to take and remain enrolled at that level. This way, more class space will be available and the university will save money because students will not over enroll.
If I receive financial aid, how will tuition by the credit hour affect my award?
If you project an enrollment of nine or more hours on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you will be considered for an award based on a full-time budget. Your financial aid package will be based on the cost of 15 hours if you are an undergraduate student and 12 hours if you are a graduate student.
If you are an undergraduate student enrolled in more than 15 hours or a graduate student enrolled in more than 12 hours, a budget adjustment may be made to your financial aid package, generally after the end of the 90 percent refund period, if you contact the student financial aid office. However, adjustments may not always lead to an increase in your financial aid.
Due to federally imposed limits, if you have reached the maximum award for your grade level, we cannot increase that award.
Six Tips on Tuition by the Credit Hour
- Read the Timetable of Classes for complete information about tuition by the credit hour.
- Decide how many hours you will take, and spend your tuition dollars wisely. You won't get a full refund if you reduce your class load after the semester has begun.
- Learn as much about the class and the professor as possible before the class begins. Ask for a syllabus of the class, and read about the professor and the course in the KU undergraduate or graduate catalog.
- Plan your entire degree curriculum carefully. Using electives wisely, you may still take courses for personal enrichment and enjoyment.
- Discuss your tuition plan with individuals or sponsors who are helping finance your education.
- If you have questions about tuition by the credit hour, ask a university staff member in the Enrollment Center or the Student Development Center. If your question relates to your aid package, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. Also, you may e-mail a question at any time to registrar@ku.edu
Important phone numbers
Student Records Center: 785-864-4423
Student Development Center: 785-864-4064
Office of Student Financial Aid: 785-864-4700
