<p>Just speaking to another FSU parent yesterday and I commented about the cost of an online class my DS is taking ($210 more than a classroom basses class). He said that he noticed that his DS hourly rate increased when he hit 120 hours (his DS is going for a double major). </p>
<p>I was just wondering if this is my DS case. He just started his junior year and is already at 120 hours, also going for a double major.</p>
<p>Any help from those in the know? Thanks</p>
<p>(Just noticed I typed tutition rather than tuition in the subject line!!)</p>
<p>I sure hope this is not true. Why punish people for getting the most out of their four years and double majoring?</p>
<p>If this is true, is it based on total credits or credits earned at FSU? That’d be quite ridiculous if my AP credits ended up hurting me in the end.</p>
<p>From the FSU 2010-11 General Bulletin:</p>
<p>Excess Credit Hour Surcharge
Section 1009.286, Florida Statue, mandates that each student shall be assessed an additional per credit hour charge equal to 50% of the tuition for each hour in excess of 120% of the total number of credit hours required to complete the baccalaureate degree. For example, students in a degree program that requires 120 hours will have to pay the excess credit hour surcharge at the point that they enroll in their 145th credit hour. This law is in effect for students who began their postsecondary education at any institution Fall 2009 or later.
Credit hours earned under the following circumstances are included in the calculation of the 120% threshold for surcharge assessment, unless they otherwise meet one of the exception criteria provided for in statute:
• Failed courses;
• Hours dropped after the Universities’ drop/add period;
• Courses for which a student withdraws;
• Repeated courses, except repeated courses for which the student has paid the repeat course surcharge as provided in Section 1009.285, Florida Statutes;
• All credit earned at another institution and accepted for transfer and applied toward the baccalaureate degree program.
Credit hours earned under the following circumstances are not included as hours earned toward the baccalaureate degree for purposes of determining the 120% threshold for surcharge assessment. They may otherwise count toward and satisfy university, college, or departmental hour requirements according to University policy.
• College credit earned through articulated accelerated mechanisms such as AP, IB, CLEP, dual enrollment, national standardized tests (ACT or SAT), etc as defined in Section 1007.27, Florida Statute;
• Credit hours earned through internship;
• Credit hours required for certification, recertification, or certificate programs;
• Courses from which the student withdraws for reasons of medical or personal hardship;
• Credit taken by active-duty military personnel;
• Credit hours taken to achieve a dual major while pursuing a baccalaureate degree;
• Remedial and English-as-a-second-language credit hours;
• Credit hours earned while participating in a Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) program.
Students have one year from the first term of enrollment at FSU to appeal the initial excess credit hour determination.</p>
<p>Thanks Tallalassie. Looks like I’ll have no problem then.</p>
<p>^No problem, I keep a copy of the 420 page FSU General Bulletin on me at all times! </p>
<p>I remember one of FSU’s deans talking about the new excess surcharge law at freshman orientation and I already have checked it out. Every student in public Florida colleges needs to know about the law. I guess the law was designed to help encourage students to get through college quicker, instead of changing majors 5 or 6 times and staying in college forever. The argument is that students hanging around too long hog up classroom seats that other students could use. Too the law allows colleges to pocket some extra change with the surcharge.</p>
<p>145 hours seem generous. There are not too many serious students who need more than 145 hours for even a double major.</p>
<p>The online surchage is rather much. I was surprised. D is taking two online courses, both are 3000 or 4000 level in her major and at least one is only offered online (with a book written by the prof that is NOT available ANYWHERE but the FSU bookstore and is not avail to rent). Good thing she is worth it hehe.</p>