Beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year, House Bill 3397 passed by the Oklahoma Legislature requires that a new student be given the opportunity to choose to participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program. A first time full-time undergraduate student, who is a resident of Oklahoma, can now choose to pay a guaranteed* tuition rate based on the projected average for the next four (4) years or at the annual rate charged each year. Eligible full-time undergraduate transfer students may chose to continue participation in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program after transferring to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center by making an election at the time of enrollment on the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program Application Form. Students participating in the Guaranteed Tuition program are subject to flat-rate tuition with an additional charge of 15%. Effective Fall 2013, Guaranteed Tuition will be assessed at the flat-rate.
* The undergraduate guaranteed rate is contingent upon meeting all eligibility criteria.
Important Considerations Regarding Eligibility for the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program at OU Health Sciences Center
The following facts and eligibility criteria are listed to help students and parents make informed decisions.
- A full-time undergraduate transfer student may choose to continue to participate or not participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program at the OU Health Sciences Center for the two year completion period of his/her degree program (or the normal time-to-degree if longer, as determined by the institution).
- If a full-time undergraduate transfer student chooses to continue participation in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program at the OU Health Sciences Center the student will only be eligible to elect the OU Health Sciences Center current guaranteed tuition rate for the two year completion period of their degree program (unless transferring from OU Norman). OU Norman students will be eligible to elect his/her first year of participation undergraduate guaranteed tuition rate for the remaining time of the two year completion of his/her degree program at the OU Health Sciences Center.
- If a participating student changes majors or transfers to another campus after initial enrollment, the tuition charged the student shall equal the amount the student would have been charged had the student been admitted to the changed major or enrolled at the new campus when the student first enrolled. This paragraph shall not apply if a student transfers from a constituent agency of an institution to another constituent agency of the institution.
- A student participating in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program must maintain full-time continuous enrollment (consecutive fall and spring semesters) for the entire length of their undergraduate program. A student may take less than full-time coursework during summer semesters and still retain eligibility for the guaranteed tuition rate.
- If a participating student takes longer than the normal completion period of four (4) or five (5) years (for a 5 year program) to complete their degree program, the student will pay the annual resident tuition rate – NOT the guaranteed tuition rate - for any remaining enrollment periods.
- If a student completes a fall or spring semester with fewer than 12 hours (less than full-time status) or withdraws from OU Health Sciences Center in any fall or spring semesters for any reason, the student is automatically ineligible to return to the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program and will begin to pay the annual resident tuition rate for the following enrollment periods.
- If a participating student is a member of the US Armed Forces and is ordered by the proper authorities to active or inactive duty or service and is required to withdraw from OU Health Sciences Center for military or national defense emergencies, upon reentering, the student will pay the original rate guaranteed when he/she chose the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program.
- The Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program may not be elected by a student who is taking only Independent Study correspondence courses.
- The Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program applies to undergraduate resident level tuition only and does not apply to graduate or professional tuition rates (5000 level or higher coursework), even if those courses are required or eligible to apply to undergraduate degree programs.
- The Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program will only be financially beneficial if tuition increases at more than a 9.4% rate for four-year degree plans or 6.99% rate for five-year degree plans. Over the past four academic years, the resident undergraduate tuition rate increase has averaged 3.16%.
- A student electing to participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program will not be eligible for any refunds associated with rate differences between the guaranteed tuition rate and the annual tuition rate, even if eligibility is forfeited or if the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program costs the participants more than the annual rate charges would have cost.
- Please note that full resident tuition waivers (e.g. National Merit Scholarships) cover tuition at the annual rate only. If a student elects the undergraduate guaranteed tuition rate and is receiving a full tuition waiver scholarship, the student will be responsible for paying the difference which is above the annual rate.
- Please note that any tuition waivers provided as part of the Sooner Promise award will only apply to the annual tuition rate, not the guaranteed tuition rate. However, the State Regents have indicated that OHLAP funding will be based upon either the guaranteed rate or the annual rate. Therefore, a Sooner Promise student will receive OHLAP in the actual amount of tuition plus the funding toward mandatory fees and books that is part of the original Sooner Promise commitment. Based upon these policies, a Sooner Promise/OHLAP student should not have any change in out-of-pocket expenses as a result of participation or non-participation in this program.
- Please note that Athletic Scholarships are calculated on the basis of the annual tuition rate, not the guaranteed tuition rate. If a student receiving an athletic scholarship elects the guaranteed tuition rate, the student will be responsible for paying the difference which is above the annual tuition rate.
Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program is applicable to undergraduate resident tuition only and does not cover mandatory fees, college enrichment or technology fees, course specific fees or any additional costs incurred by the student for enrollment. Once a student decides to participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program and forfeits or loses eligibility to participate, future participation in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program will not be allowed.
Electing to Participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program at OU Health Sciences Center
A full-time Oklahoma resident transfer student may elect to continue participation in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program at OU Health Sciences Center at the time of enrollment by completing the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program Application.
If a student chooses to participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program and decides to cancel, the cancellation must be made, in writing, at least two weeks prior to the first day of classes for the current term. After the deadline, a student who has elected to participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program will be required to pay the guaranteed undergraduate resident tuition rate and no refunds will be issued.
A student who wishes to pay the annual rate of resident tuition and not participate in the Undergraduate Guaranteed Tuition Rate Program is not required to contact the OU Health Sciences Center.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please call the Admissions and Records Office at 405-271-2359.