Tuition and Fees

 Click on any of the following links for information:

• Residency 
• General Rules
• Exceptions
• Responsibilities
• Payment Information
• Tuition and Basic Fees
• Percentage Refund Schedule

For tuition purposes, students enrolling in Amarillo College will be classified as follows: (1) resident students, (2) nonresidents of Amarillo Junior College District [students who live in Texas but not in the Amarillo Junior College district; a Texas resident must reside within the Amarillo Junior College District for a period of six months to be classified as a resident student], (3) nonresidents of Texas and (4) foreign students. Exceptions are listed later in this section.

Minors - individuals 17 years of age or younger - and Dependents

Statute: Section 54.052(a)(3) “Dependent” means an individual who is claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes by the individual’s parent or court appointed legal guardian at the time of registration and for the tax year preceding the year in which the individual registers.

 http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/SOTWDocs/ED/htm/ED.54.htm#54.052

Sec. 54.052.  DETERMINATION OF RESIDENT STATUS. 

(a)       Subject to the other applicable provisions of this subchapter governing the determination of resident status, the following persons are considered residents of this state for purposes of this title:

(1)       a person who:

(A)       established a domicile in this state not later than one year before the census date of the academic term in which the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education; and

(B)       maintained that domicile continuously for the year preceding that census date;

(2)       a dependent whose parent:

(A)       established a domicile in this state not later than one year before the census date of the academic term in which the dependent is enrolled in an institution of higher education; and

(B)       maintained that domicile continuously for the year preceding that census date; and

(3)       a person who:

(A)       graduated from a public or private high school in this state or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state; and

(B)       maintained a residence continuously in this state for:

(i)         the three years preceding the date of graduation or receipt of the diploma equivalent, as applicable; and

(ii)        the year preceding the census date of the academic term in which the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education.

(b)       For purposes of this section, the domicile of a dependent’s parent is presumed to be the domicile of the dependent unless the person establishes eligibility for resident status under Subsection (a)(3). 

Individuals over 18

Statute: Section 54.052(e) An individual who is 18 years of age or over who has come from outside Texas and who is gainfully employed in Texas for a 12-month period immediately preceding registration in an educational institution shall be classified as a resident student as long as he or she continues to maintain a legal residence in Texas.

Section 54.052(f) An individual who is 18 years of age or over who resides out of the state or who has come from outside Texas and who registers in an educational institution before having resided in Texas for a 12-month period shall be classified as a nonresident student.

Section 54.054 A nonresident student classification is presumed to be correct as long as the residence of the individual in the state is primarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution. After residing in Texas for at least 12 months with sufficient documentation of intent to establishment of a domicile in Texas, a nonresident student may be reclassified as a resident student as provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Any individual reclassified as a resident student is entitled to pay the tuition fee for a resident of Texas at any subsequent registration as long as he or she continues to maintain his or her legal residence in Texas.

Married Students

Statute: Section 54.056 A student who is a resident of Texas who marries a nonresident is entitled to pay the resident tuition fee as long as the student does not adopt the legal residence of the spouse in another state.

Foreign Students

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=1&ch=21&sch=B&rl=Y

(b)        The following non-U.S. citizens may establish a domicile in this state for the purposes of subsection (a)(2) or (3) of this section: 

(1)        a Permanent Resident;

(2)        a person who is eligible for permanent resident status, as defined in §21.22(6) of this title (relating to Definitions);

(3)        an eligible nonimmigrant that holds one of the types of visas listed in Chart I and incorporated into this subchapter for all purposes;

                              Chart I

(4)        a person classified by the USCIS as a Refugee, Asylee, Parolee, Conditional Permanent Resident, or Temporary Resident;

(5)      a person holding Temporary Protected Status, and Spouses and Children with approved petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), an applicant with an approved USCIS I-360, Special Agricultural Worker, and a person granted deferred action status by USCIS;

(6)       a person who has filed an application for Cancellation of Removal and Adjustment of Status under Immigration Nationality Act 240A(b) or a Cancellation of Removal and Adjustment of Status under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA), or the Cuban Adjustment Act, and who has been issued a fee/filing receipt or Notice of Action by USCIS; and

(7)        a person who has filed for adjustment of status to that of a person admitted as a Permanent Resident under 8 United States Code 1255, or under the “registry” program (8 United States Code 1259), or the Special Immigrant Juvenile Program (8 USC 1101(a)(27)(J)) and has been issued a fee/filing receipt or Notice of Action by USCIS.

Transfer Students

 Sec. 54.054.  CONTINUING RESIDENT STATUS. 

(a)        Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (c) of this section or by Section 54.055 or 54.056, a person classified by an institution of higher education as a resident of this state under this subchapter is entitled, without submitting the information required by Section 54.053, to be classified as a resident by that institution in each subsequent academic term in which the person enrolls.

(b)        Except as otherwise provided by Subsection (c) of this section or by Section 54.055 or 54.056, a person classified by an institution of higher education as a resident is entitled, without submitting the information required by Section 54.053 to the subsequent institution, to be classified as a resident by another institution of higher education in which the person subsequently enrolls.

(c)        Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a person who enrolls in an institution of higher education after two or more consecutive regular semesters during which the person is not enrolled in an institution of higher education.  To be classified as a resident on that enrollment, the person must submit the information required by Section 54.053 and satisfy all applicable requirements to establish resident status.  If the person is classified as a resident on that enrollment, Subsections (a) and (b) apply to the person in a subsequent academic term.

Military Personnel and Veterans

Statute: Section 54.058 Military personnel are classified as provided by this section in the following manner. A person who is an officer, enlisted person, selectee or draftee of the Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, or Coast Guard Reserve of the United States, who is assigned to duty in Texas and the spouse and children of such an officer, enlisted person, selectee or draftee are entitled to register in a state institution of higher education by paying the tuition fee and other fees or charges required of Texas residents, without regard to the length of time the officer, enlisted person, selectee, or draftee has been assigned to duty or resided in the state. It is the intent of the legislature that only those members of the Army or Air National Guard, or other reserve forces mentioned above be exempted from the nonresident tuition fee and other fees and charges only when they become members of the Texas units of the military organizations mentioned above.  A copy of orders verifying assignment to active duty in Texas is required. 

This exception must be renewed each semester.

Junior College Tuition Waivers for Ad Va lorem Tax Payers

Statute: Section 130.003(b)(4)…the governing board of a public junior college district may waive the difference in the rate of tuition for nonresident and resident students for a person, and his or her dependents, who owns property which is subject to ad valorem taxation by the junior college district.

Texas residents (or their dependents) who move into the Amarillo Junior College District and who own property which is subject to ad valorem taxation by Amarillo Junior College District shall be eligible to enroll at Amarillo College at the tuition rate for resident students.

Those students who think they qualify under the above listed exception, and who can provide conclusive evidence supporting the exception, should contact the Assistance Center in person.

This exception must be renewed each semester.

Waiver of Non-Resident Tuition

Students from counties of New Mexico that are adjacent to Texas are eligible to enroll at Amarillo College and pay the non-resident tuition rate. If a dependent student’s family or an independent student from a bordering state moves to Texas after the student has received a waiver of nonresident tuition, the student is eligible for a continued waiver for the 12-month period after the relocation to Texas. After that time, however, the student shall be reclassified as a nonresident unless he or she applies for reclassification and proves he or she has become a resident.

Those students who think they qualify under the above listed exception, and who can provide conclusive evidence supporting the exception, should contact the Assistance Center in person.

This exception must be renewed each semester.

Statute: Section 54.0521 Oath of Residency. Before an individual may register at an institution of higher education paying tuition at the rate provided for residents, the individual must affirm under oath, to the appropriate official at the institution, that the individual is entitled to be classified as a resident for purposes of tuition.

Changes of residency status. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the institution of any change in circumstances that would result in a change of residency status. This must be done in person, in writing, at any College Service Center. Mailing address changes do not constitute a change of address for residency purposes.

If the institution later determines that the individual was not entitled to be classified as a resident at the time of the individual’s registration, the individual shall, not later than 30 days after the date the individual is notified of the determination, pay to the institution the amount the individual should have paid as a nonresident.

If the individual fails to make a timely payment as required by this section, the individual is not entitled to receive a transcript or to receive credit for courses taken during the time the individual was falsely registered as a resident student. Substantiating documentation will be required by Amarillo College to affirm Texas residency.

Students will not be admitted to classes or labs until they have paid their tuition and fees in full. Payment may be made in cash, by check, by money order, or by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). Students paying by check are warned to exercise due care, however, as all checks are accepted subject to final payment by the bank. A check returned by the bank because of a stop payment order or insufficient funds does not cancel a student’s registration. If a check given for tuition and fees at registration time is returned by the bank, the student will be charged a service fee.

Student Alternative Payment Plan

The Payment Plan allows students who are enrolled in full semester-length courses to pay for tuition and fees in installments. The first installment is one-half of the tuition and fees total, plus an administration fee (nonrefundable) due at registration; the second installment of one-fourth of the total is due before the sixth class week; and the final installment of one-fourth is due before the eleventh class week. Students who elect to use the Plan must complete and sign a promissory note (plan agreement). Students wishing to sign up for the Payment Plan must be at least 18 years of age.

Failure to make timely payments by the due dates will result in the assessment of a delinquent fee. A student who fails to make payment in full, including incidental fees, by the due dates may be prohibited from registering for classes until full payment is made. A student who fails to make payment prior to the end of the semester may be denied credit for the work completed that semester. Refunds due as a result of withdrawal or schedule changes will be applied to the outstanding balance due of the note. Fifty percent payment of tuition and fees must be maintained for any scheduled changes. The Plan is not available for mini-term sessions.

A summer payment plan is also available.  The Payment Plan allows students who are enrolled in summer courses to pay for tuition and fees in installments.  The first installment is one-half of the tuition and fees total, plus an administration fee (non-refundable) due at registration; the second installment of one-fourth of the total is due before the third class week; and the final installment of one-fourth is due before the fifth class week.  Students who elect to use the Plan must complete and sign a promissory note (plan agreement).  Students wishing to sign up for the Payment Plan must be at least 18 years of age.

Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Policy

A Senior Citizen is defined as “any person 65 years of age or older.” Tuition will be waived on eligible courses on a SPACE AVAILABLE basis; however, the class must reach its minimum paying enrollment, but not its maximum, for the policy to apply. Proof of age and photo identification are required, and the student must pay all course/lab fees.

Senior Citizens who are NOT seeking degree credit may enroll in semester credit hour courses on a space available basis after regular registration is complete. The Senior Citizen must complete the “Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver” and may only enroll in academic courses that are eligible for audit. Prior to enrollment, written permission is required from the instructor and the department chair. The tuition waiver is limited to six semester hours.

Tuition

Basic Fees

Tuition and Basic Fee Schedule

*Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the Amarillo College Board of Regents.

LABORATORY FEES

Special Supplies and Equipment

In some programs, special supplies, equipment, or hand tools are considered essential for the satisfactory completion of the laboratory portion of the course and are required in addition to textbooks. In other programs, additional supplies and equipment are considered beneficial and are recommended but are not required .Following are the estimated costs of these items for each program. Students should contact the respective departments to determine whether the special supplies and equipment are recommended or required. In most cases the items may be obtained through the Amarillo College Bookstore on the campus in which the program is offered.

Refund Policy

If a class does not materialize and is cancelled by the college, 100 percent of all tuition and fees charged will be refunded. Students who officially withdraw from Amarillo College prior to the sixth day of class for full-length courses or prior to the third class day for Summer will be refunded 100 percent of their mandatory tuition and fees. If a transcript received by Amarillo College after a student has completed enrollment shows that the student is suspended at the last college attended, the student is subject to being withdrawn with forfeiture of all tuition and fees. Likewise, any student who provides false information about TSI testing or scores will be subject to being withdrawn with forfeiture of tuition and fees. Tuition and fees may be changed at any time by action of the state legislature or by action of the Board of Regents of the Amarillo Junior College District.

Students who believe that unusual, individual circumstances deserve special consideration regarding charges and refunds may appeal in writing to the Business Office Manager in the Business Office, Student Service Center, second floor.

Students who officially withdraw or reduce their course enrollment on or after the sixth day of classes for full-length courses or after the third class day for Summer will have their tuition and mandatory fees refunded according to the following schedule:

Below are the time periods for receiving specific percentage refunds. The number of days refers to the number of days (Monday through Friday, excluding days campus is closed) that have passed since the start of the term, not the number of actual class meetings. For classes that have an irregular start date after the census date: Refund days will be counted from the first day of the semester. Example: If a class starts the first week of the term, but does not actually meet until Thursday, the days Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are still counted. So, Thursday would be the fourth class day for refund for that class.

No refunds will be given after 25% period.

Tuition and fees paid directly to Amarillo College by a sponsor, donor or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the student. Tuition and fees paid by a credit card will be refunded back to the original credit card.