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Excess Credit Hour Surcharge

In 2009, the Florida Legislature implemented Section 1009.286, Florida Statutes to encourage students to complete their baccalaureate degrees as quickly and efficiently as possible. It established what is commonly referred to as an "Excess Credit Hour Surcharge." The law requires universities to add a surcharge to each credit hour taken in excess of the total number of credit hours required to complete the degree being pursued. The amount in excess of the total hours is calculated based on a percentage defined in law and is referred to by the University of North Florida as the Excess Hours threshold. The amount charged per credit hour is a calculated amount referred to as the surcharge.

Student cohort and the associated fees that would be charged.
Students entering as FTIC SUS* or FTIC FCS* Fee to be charged
Prior to fall 2009 None
Fall 2009 - Summer 2011

(Cohort 1)

 50% of the tuition rate

for credits above 120% of program
Fall 2011 - Summer 2012

(Cohort 2)

 100% of the tuition rate

for credits above 115% of program
Fall 2012 - Spring 2019

(Cohort 3)

 100% of the tuition rate

for credits above 110% of program
Summer 2019 and thereafter

(Cohort 4)

 100% of the tuition rate

for credits above 120% of program

*SUS = State University System of Florida, *FCS = Florida College System

The surcharge is assessed only on the tuition portion of the credit hour cost, not on the fees. Students who first matriculate at a Florida SUS or FCS in fall 2012 and thereafter who fail to maintain continuous enrollment (do not take classes for three consecutive semesters) will be subject to the Excess Credit Hours surcharge in effect for the semester in which they return. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2009 are excluded.

 Excess Hours Surcharge Video

Under Florida law, the following credit hours count towards Excess Credit Hours:

  • Failed courses
  • Hours dropped after the University's drop/add period
  • Courses from which a student withdraws
  • Repeated courses. Exception: 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 

Under Florida law, the following credit hours do not count towards Excess Credit Hours:

  • College credit earned through articulated accelerated mechanisms such as AP, IB, CLEP, AICE, or Dual Enrollment
  • Credit hours earned through internships
  • 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

At UNF, many of these exemptions are automatic; however, you may be eligible for additional exemptions under the statute. As such, we strongly encourage you to review your Excess Hours Status page along with your coursework. To review which of your courses are being counted toward your total number of allowed credit hours under the Excess Hours regulation: 

  • Log in to myWings
  • Select Student under the left "My Resources" menu
    • If you are on a mobile device, select the Student tile
  • Click the Banner Self Service button
  • Under the "Student Services" tab, select Student Records
  • Select Excess Hours Status

If upon review you believe there are courses that should be exempt as outlined in the Excess Hours statute, you may submit an Enrollment Services Appeal for review. Appeals must be submitted within your first year (three terms) of enrollment at UNF. Please see your advisor if you have questions about a specific course(s).

  • What credit hours count towards Excess Credit Hours?
    • Failed courses. 
    • Hours dropped after the University's add/drop period 
    • Courses from which a student withdraws 
    • Repeated courses. Exception: repeated courses for which the student has paid the repeat surcharge
    • All credit earned at another institution and accepted for transfer and applied toward the baccalaureate degree program 
  • What credit hours do not count towards Excess Credit Hours?
    • College credit earned through articulated accelerated mechanisms such as AP, IB, CLEP, AICE or dual enrollment
    • 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
  • How can I see what credit hours do and do not count towards my total Excess Credit Hours?

    You can view a complete audit of all credit hours in your myWings account. The Excess Hours page will show you which courses are exempt and which are being counted toward your total number of allowed credit hours under the Excess Hours regulation. To view this information:

    • Log in to myWings
    • Select Student under the left "My Resources" menu
      • If you are on a mobile device, select the Student tile
    • Click the Banner Self Service button
    • Under the "Student Services" tab, select Student Records
    • Select Excess Hours Status

    You can hover over or click on the question marks on the screen for additional information.

  • What if I am pursuing a dual major/degree?
    Students who have officially declared a double major are given an additional 15 credit hour allowance that is reflected in the “Multiple Major” field on their Excess Hours screen in myWings. Students pursuing dual degrees (e.g. BA and BS) are given an additional 30 credit hour allowance that is reflected in the “Multiple Degree” field on their Excess Hours screen in myWings. 
  • Are second bachelor's degrees included?
    Second bachelor's degrees are not excluded from the Excess Credit Hour regulation unless the student first matriculated prior to fall 2009. Please see your academic advisor for any additional questions.
  • What about internships?

    The University will exclude internship hours automatically from your excess credit hour total whenever possible. However, it is not always possible to identify internships on the academic record of a student, especially when taken at another institution. If you feel that your excess credit hour total includes internship hours, you should submit an appeal for an adjustment to your Excess Credit Hour total. Directed individual studies and other one-on-one instructional courses are not considered internships.

  • What about credit for Certification?

    The specific course that prepares you for the exam may be excluded from your Excess Credit Hour calculations, but not all courses in the degree program. Examples of these might be a computer science class that prepares you for a Microsoft certification exam or a foundational education class that prepares you for a teacher certification exam. 

  • What about credit I earned while on active duty military?

    All credit earned while on active duty is exempt from the Excess Credit Hour law. Documenting active duty military service is something we do not currently track, so it is critical you let us know of any credit you have earned while on active duty. You will need to submit an Enrollment Services Appeal that includes a copy of your DD214, orders, or standard employment letter as part of the appeal.

  • Do graduate courses count?

    Graduate courses are included in your Excess Credit Hour calculations if they are being used toward your baccalaureate degree. Credit only used for the graduate degree will be excluded.

  • Can UNF waive the Excess Credit Hours surcharge?
    No, an institution cannot waive the surcharge. The language of the statute is mandatory.
  • What if I break continuous enrollment?
    Students who first matriculate at a Florida SUS or FCS in fall 2012 and thereafter who fail to maintain continuous enrollment (do not take classes for three consecutive semesters) will be subject to the Excess Credit Hours surcharge in effect for the semester in which they return.