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Cost
This page answers your finance-related questions and helps you estimate how much you will spend as a distance student at Texas A&M.
- How much can I expect to pay for a course taught by distance education?
- Can I drop a class and get a refund?
- Do I qualify for finanical aid?
- Can I use my GI Bill or other military education benefits?
How much can I expect to pay for a course taught by Distance Education?
Unfortunately, there are several variables that make answering the above question less than straightforward. While this page attempts to summarize the costs, we highly recommend that you visit the official Student Business Services page for all the most up-to-date information.
In general, your semester costs can be broken into three categories: tuition + fees + instructional enhancement = course cost.
Step 1: Basic Tuition
Tuition levels for the academic year 2007-2008 are as follows:
| Residency Status | Undergraduate | Graduate (masters and doctoral) |
|---|---|---|
|
in-state resident |
$156.00 per credit hour |
$206.00 per credit hour |
|
out-of-state / international resident |
$434.00 per credit hour |
$484.00 per credit hour |
Step 2: University Fees
Every university levies additional fees to cover expenses such as library access, student services, software licensing, etc. By virtue of their off-campus nature, distance students are exempt from some of these fees (such as Health Center fee) but do pay a Distance Education fee. When totaled, distance students can expect to pay approximately an additional $104 per credit hour plus a flat $106 per semester. Lab or field trip fees are not included in these estimates. International students may expect more fees not calculated here. Again, we encourage you to visit the official Student Business Services* site to determine the exact cost for your circumstance.
Step 3: Instructional Enhancement / Equipment Access Fee
Finally, each department has the option of levying an instructional enhancement/equipment access fee. To quote the Division of Finance's website: "The fee is used for the purchase and maintenance of equipment, visual aids, other supplemental materials, and educational supplies to provide students with a rich learning environment."
In the case of distance education, you can think of it as a fee to help departments cover the additional overhead associated with delivering classes at a distance.
Some departments may levy fees up to $1,500 or more per class, while others charge no fee at all. The Division of Finance keeps a chart* detailing potential fees. We encourage you to contact the department in question to determine the exact amount of instructional enhancement / equipment access fee to expect. The Office of Distance Education has collected information (in the chart below) on actual fees being charged by departments, but this information could change at any time and may not apply to every course in the program. Always consult the progam's academic advisor for the most up to date information.
| Program | Fee (per course) |
|---|---|
| Ed.D.--Agricultural Education (Doc @ Distance) | $240 |
| Master of Agriculture - Poultry Science |
$300 |
| M.Ed. or M.S. -- Educational Administration |
$250 |
| M.S.--Educational Human Resource Development | $250 |
| M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction | $300 |
| M.Ed.--Educational Technology | $230 |
| M.S.--Math | varies $150-$300 |
| M.S.--Engineering Systems Management Master of Engineering--Industrial Engineering |
$1,500 |
| Master of Industrial Distribution | $1,500 |
| Master of Engineering--Petroleum Engineering | $1,000 |
| Certificate in Statistics | $100 |
|
Certificate in Advanced International Affairs |
$600 |
Can I drop a class and get a refund?
A student may drop courses during the first four days of a fall or spring semester. Students also may drop classes with special permission of the dean between the 6th and 12th class days. Please consult with your advisor regarding courses to be dropped. You do not have to come to campus to drop a course. See the Student Business Services FAQ for detailed information on how refunds are conducted.
Do I qualify for financial aid?
Texas A&M distance students qualify for much of the same financial aid as on-campus students. Visit the Department of Finanical Aid for information on financial aid opportunities.
Can I use my GI Bill or other military education benefits?
You can use GI Bill or other military education benefits to pay for your distance education at Texas A&M. Student Financial Aid has a Veterans information page with links to required forms.