1. Introduction

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statue §116-143.7, and UNC Policy 1000.1.5[R], beginning in the fall 2010 semester, undergraduate students who elect to take more than 140 degree-credit hours to complete a baccalaureate degree in a four year program or more than 110% of the credit hours necessary to complete a five-year program will be subject to a 50% tuition surcharge. This regulation is described in The University of North Carolina Policy Manual 1000.1.5[G].

1.1. Credit hours to be counted shall include:

1.1.1. All regular credit hours attempted at East Carolina University, including failed courses, repeated courses, and grade replacements

1.1.2. All transfer credits accepted by East Carolina University

1.2. Credit hours to be excluded from the calculation of tuition surcharge:

1.2.1. Summer session and off-campus extension courses, taken at any institution of higher education

1.2.2. Credits earned by AP, CLEP, credit by examination, institutional advanced placement credit, course validation, or similar procedure for awarding course credit

1.2.3. Credit hours earned while enrolled as a high school student

1.2.4. Courses officially dropped or withdrawn according to University policy

1.2.5. Military Science courses required to earn a military commission

1.2.6. Credits earned from private and out of state colleges and universities transferred prior to August 15, 2013

1.2.7. The 140 semester hour limit applies only to students who take longer than eight regular term semesters enrolled in any institution of higher education to earn a 4-year baccalaureate degree or ten regular term semesters in a degree program designated by the UNC Board of Governors as a five-year program.

1.3. Students Subject to Tuition Surcharge

1.3.1. Students earning a first baccalaureate degree in a program that requires no more than 128 credit hours who take more than 140 credit hours.

1.3.2. Students earning a first baccalaureate degree in a board-approved program that requires more than 128 credit hours will be charged for all credit hours that exceed 110% of credit hours required for the degree.

1.3.3. Students pursuing multiple majors or degrees concurrently will be subject to tuition surcharge for all hours in excess of 110% of the required hours for the major/degree(s).

1.3.4. Students earning a baccalaureate degree other than their first will be charged 110% of the minimum additional credit hours needed to earn the degree.

2. Waiver of Tuition Surcharge

Tuition surcharge is a fee required by the North Carolina General Statue §116-143.7, and is not an ECU fee.

2.1. UNC Policy 1000.1.5{R}, in conformance with North Carolina General Statue §116-143.7, provides four categories for requesting a waiver. Waiver requests that do not fall into one of the four categories will not be considered:

2.1.1. Military Service Obligation - verification of the student's voluntary or involuntary performance of a duty in connection with service in the Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, including, but not limited to:

2.1.1.1. Active duty

2.1.1.2. Active duty for training

2.1.1.3. Initial active duty for training

2.1.1.4. Inactive duty training

2.1.2. Serious Medical Debilitation - certification issued by the treating health care professional(s) stating each of the following:

2.1.2.1. The approximate date on which the serious medical debilitation commenced

2.1.2.2. The extent to which the serious medical condition has impacted the student's pursuit of a degree

2.1.2.3. The relevant and appropriate medical facts regarding the condition

2.1.3. Short-Term Disability - certification issued by the treating health care professional(s) stating each of the following:

2.1.3.1. The approximate date on which the Short-Term Disability commenced.

2.1.3.2. The extent to which the student's physical or mental incapacity has impacted the student's pursuit of a degree

2.1.3.3. The relevant and appropriate medical facts regarding the condition

2.1.3.4. That, to the best of the treating health care professional's knowledge, the student's disability is not permanent

2.1.4. Long-Term Disability - certification issued by the treating health care professional(s) stating each of the following:

2.1.4.1. The approximate date on which the Long-Term Disability commenced;

2.1.4.2. The extent to which the student's physical or mental incapacity has impacted the student's pursuit of a degree;

2.1.4.3. The relevant and appropriate medical facts regarding the condition; and

2.1.4.4. That, to the best of the treating health care professional's knowledge, the student's disability is likely to be permanent

2.1.5. Extraordinary Hardship - verification of any circumstances which, despite responsible handling, led to the substantial disruption or interruption of the student's pursuit of a degree.

2.2. Procedure for requesting a waiver:

2.2.1. Waivers must be received and post marked no later than 30 business days after receiving notice of tuition surcharge. Students will be notified within 30 business days of the receipt of the waiver request of the Tuition Refund Appeals Committee's decision.

2.2.1.1. Requests may be emailed to tuitionappeals@ecu.edu

2.2.1.2. Requests may be faxed to (252)328-2413

2.2.1.3. Requests may be mailed or hand delivered to:

East Carolina University
Cashier's Office
G120 Old Cafeteria Complex

Mail Stop 230
Greenville, NC 27858-4353

2.2.2. The student will receive written notification of the result of the waiver request within 30 business days from the date of submission, excluding business days during which the University is officially closed.

2.2.3. The Committee’s decision is final and may not be appealed