Financial Information

Cost of Attendance and Exemptions/Waivers Information

Students are required to pay tuition and mandatory fees based on residency, as discussed above, and are subject to certain waivers and exemptions described elsewhere in this Handbook. Tuition and fee rates are published on the HCC website and can be accessed at www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/tuition-calculator.

Some courses have additional fees specific to that course, such as laboratory and program fees. Check course listings for the additional fees. More information on course fees is contained below.

HCC charges a higher tuition rate to students registering for the third or subsequent time for certain courses. Students who enroll for most credit and Continuing Education Unit (CEU) classes for a third or more time will be charged an additional $50 per semester credit hour and $3 per contact hour, except for courses exempted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Parking fees are not part of the published standard Tuition and Fee rates. Therefore, parking fees will be billed separately from these established rates. At this time, there is no charge for parking at most HCC locations.

HCC reserves the right to change its tuition and fees and refund policy structure wholly or in part during the year covered by this Handbook. Select fees are explained in more detail below.

Tuition and Fee Schedule for Academic Year 2020-2021

Visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/tuition-calculator for the most up-to-date information.

Semester Credit Tuition Fees

Mandatory Fees

Other Incidental Fees

Testing Fees

Course Specific Fees

Exemptions and Waivers

HCC offers tuition and fees exemptions and waivers to eligible students, including the Hazlewood Exemption and Military Waiver for Veteran and Military-Affiliated students.

To view the full list of exemptions/waivers, visit www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/student-financial-services/waivers-and-exemptions.

Flexible-Entry Course Fees

The cost of courses taken in the flex-entry term is the same as for regular semester-hour courses.

Laboratory/Supply Fees

Laboratory supply fees, which help defray the cost of materials used in lab classes, vary. Certain programs have program-specific fees. Check course listings for additional fees in some classes.

Continuing Education Unit Course Tuition and Fees

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course tuition and fees are based on the expenses unique to each course and/or program. Therefore, each course is priced individually. For a schedule of classes and for more information on tuition and fees and refunds, contact the School of Continuing Education at 713-718-5303 or visit www.hccs.edu/continuing-education.

Adult High School Costs

Adult High School offers both credit recovery and original credit programs designed to assist current high school students. For more information on the program, see the Adult Education & Literacy Programs: Adult High School section of this Handbook below. The costs associated with this program are as follows:

• Recovery Credit - $175 per half-credit
• Original Credit (online) - $275 per half-credit

Tuition Rebate Program

Consistent with state law, HCC students who go on to graduate with a baccalaureate degree from a Texas public university may qualify to receive $1,000 from the baccalaureate-granting institution if they meet the following criteria:

• Must have enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education in fall 1997 or thereafter;
• Must have been a resident of Texas and entitled to pay in-state tuition at all times while pursuing the degree;
• Must have received a baccalaureate degree from a Texas public university; or
• Must have attempted no more than three hours in excess of the minimum number of semester hours required to complete the degree in the catalog under which one graduated.

Hours attempted include transfer credits, course credits earned exclusively by examination, courses that are dropped after the official census date. Hours attempted shall not include: course credit that is earned to satisfy requirements for a ROTC program but that is not required to complete the degree program; course credit, other than course credit earned exclusively by examination, that is earned before graduating from high school; and courses dropped for reasons that are determined by the institution to be totally beyond the control of the student.

Students are encouraged to consult advisors to plan their course of study at the community college level to maximize their chances of qualifying for this rebate when they transfer and graduate from a college or university with a baccalaureate degree, and to look at baccalaureate granting investing.

Tuition and Fees Payment

When a student registers for any class at Houston Community College (HCC) or receives any service from HCC, that student accepts full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees, and other associated costs assessed as a result of registration and/or receipt of services.

Students should carefully review the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement and Acknowledgment of HCC Policies to understand their financial obligations to HCC: www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/student-financial-services/student-financial-responsibility-agreement

Tuition bills will not be mailed to students. Students may view or print their current bill by logging into their student account by visiting www.myeagle.hccs.edu. Students with questions about their tuition can contact the Bursar’s Office at 713-718-5077.

Payments and Payment Plans

HCC makes education affordable to students. Students have several options to pay their tuition and fees. Information on the payment options available to students, including installment plans, is available at: www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/student-financial-services/payments-and-payment-plan

At the time of registration, students will need to select their intended payment option to complete their enrollment. All HCC students are expected to pay their account balance in full or make payment arrangements according to the payment option selected during enrollment. For each payment option, payment to HCC is required within a specific timeframe. Students are not registered for any course until the full account balance is paid in full, or a payment plan contract is executed.

Students who fail to make payments within the payment timeframe allotted may be dropped from some or all classes and will be required to register again. Course/section availability cannot be guaranteed upon re-registration.

Students are responsible for paying all charges arising from registration/enrollment. These may include charges arising from reduction of financial aid award(s) due to change in enrollment and/or eligibility status. More information about Financial Aid can be found elsewhere in this Handbook.

Pay Online

Tuition and fees can be paid in full online by visiting www.myeagle.hccs.edu and following the steps outlined below:

• On the MyEagle home page, select “Student Sign-In.”
• Enter Web User ID and Password or follow the instructions to obtain the Web User ID and Password.
• After signing on, verify address and phone data. If no changes are necessary, click on continue.
• Acknowledge Student Financial Responsibility and HCC Policies to continue.
• On the Student Center, click “Make a Payment or Set up a Payment Plan.”
• Select “Click here to make a payment” or “Enroll in Payment Plan.” Complete the payment plan enrollment as directed.
• Enter credit card/checking account information.
• Enter student email address.
• Review information.
• Submit payment.
• Receive confirmation that payment has been accepted.

If the credit card is declined, a student may repeat the process using a different credit card.

Pay in Person

When campuses are open and during certain hours, students may pay by check, credit card, or money order at any cashier’s window. Students may call the Cashier’s Office prior to visiting a campus to confirm that their preferred payment method is accepted at that specific location.

If students are receiving a tuition waiver or tuition is billed to a company or agency, those students must present the waiver or voucher to pay in person. The remaining balance should be paid in full or a Payment Plan must be set up.

A complete listing of all Cashier’s Offices by college, including contact and location information, can be found at www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/business-office-locations.

Returned Checks

A $25 returned check fee may be assessed when a check payment or an electronic check (e-check) payment is returned unpaid.

Delinquent Student Account Balances

Holds will be placed on the student record preventing registration, grades, transcripts, and other college services as the account balance becomes delinquent. Balances not settled may be forwarded to a collection agency. It is the student’s responsibility to pay collection fees, which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 24-percent of the debt, and all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred in such collection efforts.

Notification of the outstanding student account balance is delivered by email to the student’s college email address and/or personal emails on file. Students can always view the balance and details online. It is the student’s responsibility to update their email and mailing addresses each time there is a change. Notifications sent by the College through any of these addresses are considered delivered.

Students are encouraged to check their account balance by logging into their student account by visiting www.myeagle.hccs.edu.

Refunds and Credit Balances

HCC Eagle Card

HCC uses BankMobile Disbursement to manage student refunds through the HCC Eagle Card. Students can choose either to open a BankMobile account or have their refunds deposited to an existing account by clicking “Choose a Refund Option” button on their student center page.

Credit Balances and Refunds

Credits generated as a result from dropped/cancelled courses and/or arising from overpayments shall be refunded after the official date of record or earlier upon student request to bursar.refunds@hccs.edu. Credits resulting from credit card payments shall be refunded to the same credit card used for initial payment as the first option. However, if it is not practicable, HCC may refund it through HCC Eagle Card. Credits resulting from cash, checks, and money order payments will be reimbursed through BankMobile Disbursement.

Amount of refunds for withdrawals are determined in accordance with the Drop and Withdrawal Refund Schedule based on total semester fees. If the student has established a payment plan, any remaining installment payments due are deducted from the refund amount. Any reduction in the balance due to a withdrawal will be adjusted on the remaining installments.

Course withdrawal does not release the student from the obligation to pay any balance owed to the College. One hundred percent refund before class begins of ALL tuition and fees will be made when the College chooses not to offer the class, College error is involved, or before the applicable drop deadline. See below for additional information.

Refund of Financial Aid Residual

The Financial Aid Office determines the schedule of financial aid refunds in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education. More information is available by calling the Financial Aid District Call Center at 713-718-2000, and select option 2.

Drop and Withdrawal Refund Schedule

100% Refund Dates on Drops/Withdrawals are listed on the schedule and are determined by state law. *

*A $15 Change of Schedule Fee is deducted after computing the percentage refund.

All non-refundable fees will be deducted before the percentage for refund is applied.

Non-Refundable Fees

NOTE: HCC does not refund the following fees for any reason other than that the selected class fails to have adequate enrollment to be offered in the selected term.

Drop/Add - $15

Returned Check - $25

Stop Payment - $25

Payment Plan Enrollment - $30

Payment Plan Late - $10

International Application - $75
(One-time charge for F, M, or J Visas only)

International Orientation - $50

Deferment/Reproduction - $50

Transcript - $5*

Transcript via Overnight Express or Fax - $15

Advanced Standing Examination for College Credit (per course) - $25

Advanced Standing Credit (per evaluation) - $25

*An additional service provider fee is required if transcript is requested by phone or online. There is no fee if a transcript is requested in-person. During times no in-person request is possible, all requests must be received by phone or online.

Continuing Education Refund Policy

A full refund can only be awarded if a student withdraws before or on the first class meeting date or if the class is cancelled. There are no partial refunds.

Refunds are processed between one to two weeks after the credits resulting from dropped or cancelled classes. If the payment is made by credit card, it will be refunded via credit card. If the payment is made by cash, check, or money order, it will be reimbursed by check. Tuition and fees paid directly to the institution by a sponsor or covered by scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.

Refunds may only be mailed to the name and address on the student’s record. Any refund mailed to the name and address on record is considered delivered. The Stop Payment Fee to re-issue a refund check mailed to an incorrect address is $25 which will be deducted from the re-issued refund.