FREE 3-hour Winter Mini-term classes at TAMUC

[LuckyLion44]

Signing my whole family up. Can’t pass up free!

How did you get non-degree admissions? Spent the time to fill out the whole application just to see this:



https://imgur.com/a/DiFeP5k

At least for the graduate application, if you scroll to the bottom of the majors list, you can select nondegree under the "College of NonDegree." I imagine it is similar for undergraduate applications. 

If you have already applied, you can contact admission and let them know you chose the wrong major and they can fix it or tell you how to fix it. Acceptance is usually faster if you apply as non-degree; so, I suggest contacting them: 903-886-5000

[nykorn]

I see nothing mentioned about these being worth credits. Are they?

[LuckyLion44]

I see nothing mentioned about these being worth credits. Are they?

Yes they are for academic credit. I believe they are all worth 3 credit hours. These are not special courses. They are the regular courses the university usually offers for credit). Its just that they are free this mini semester upcoming. You can see the credit hours for each class under the schedule of classes; here are the English courses that term, for example: https://appsprod.tamuc.edu/Schedule/Sche...&Dept=LITL

[Avidreader]

Are these courses open to anyone with a US address that isn't in Texas? There is 1 course that interests me out of sheer curiosiry.

[LuckyLion44]

They are open to all us students...and international students who were enrolled in spring or fall of 2024 (but not new international students).  

Some classes may have prerequisites and program restrictions. So, its best to chat with someone about the upcoming semester and if the class you want is nested in a program, it may be better to apply to that specific program than to apply as non-degree; you can continue or drop the program later -- your decision. Students enrolled in degree programs (specifically) also qualify for financial aid in the spring and other terms if that is a goal. 

Some programs do offer scholarships, grants, and assistantships though; so, if you are thinking longer term plans, its worth connecting anyways. They also have accelerated Bachelors to masters programs which is pretty cool.

[bjcheung77]

If there is a course (or more) you're interested in, you can always apply and see what happens, especially if you really are interested in that class and it will go towards a degree (even in the elective credits area). Having said that, just because it's free, doesn't mean it's a right fit for everyone - there are so many cheapies/freebies I currently have on my plate, I know this is a good deal, but I'm skipping it (I skipped out on the JSU freebies, and others as well).

[freeloader]

Wanted to share my experience and ask if other people have recent experience with these "tuition free" courses at East Texas A&M/Texas A&M Commerce.

I recently applied as a non-degree seeking graduate student and enrolled yesterday in a graduate business class for the Winter Mini term.  Checked today to see what I owe for the winter term: it's $1,506, including $126 for tuition and $1,380 for fees.  The cost of attendance calculator shows a 3-credit course for a non-Texas resident being ~$2,700 and in-state being ~$1,500.  It seems like I am being given credit for the in-state tuition and fees but have to pay the additional amount due for out of state tuition and fees.  

I am hoping that there will be an adjustment in the next few days, but I am not holding my breath.  Given that I am pursuing my MBA at UT-Rio Grande Valley and pay $1,417 per 3-credit course, I don't anticipate sticking with East Texas A&M if this persists.  I also signed up for some of the tuition-free competency-based graduate courses for the spring.  I wonder how those will work out, tuition and fee-wise, as well.

[LuckyLion44]

Wanted to share my experience and ask if other people have recent experience with these "tuition free" courses at East Texas A&M/Texas A&M Commerce.

I recently applied as a non-degree seeking graduate student and enrolled yesterday in a graduate business class for the Winter Mini term.  Checked today to see what I owe for the winter term: it's $1,506, including $126 for tuition and $1,380 for fees.  The cost of attendance calculator shows a 3-credit course for a non-Texas resident being ~$2,700 and in-state being ~$1,500.  It seems like I am being given credit for the in-state tuition and fees but have to pay the additional amount due for out of state tuition and fees.  

I am hoping that there will be an adjustment in the next few days, but I am not holding my breath.  Given that I am pursuing my MBA at UT-Rio Grande Valley and pay $1,417 per 3-credit course, I don't anticipate sticking with East Texas A&M if this persists.  I also signed up for some of the tuition-free competency-based graduate courses for the spring.  I wonder how those will work out, tuition and fee-wise, as well.

This does not seem like your bill is calculating correctly. Tuition and course fees (like lab fees and online class fees) are waived for the winter mini term and this has been confirmed by others (in state or out of state). There are 2 known costs that may occur:

• Application fee $50 for grad students -- no idea what it is for undergrads (Its too late to apply now and get in on time, so anyone reading this, don't spend the money) 
  
• Book and materials costs to include a materials cost of "inclusive access fee" which is basically one of those online course lab portals where you can do work and get an eTextbook in the process. There is at least one course in the list that has this, but it is labeled on the schedule of classes. Even so, I believe that fee is under $300, -- I think its under $200 actually. Not sure what I saw in the past.
  

Neither of these materials fees or application fees seem to match what you are describing though. I recommend contacting student.accounts@tamuc.edu early this morning to resolve the issue or drop the class before Monday gets here. 

If you did not apply as a nondegree student and applied as a full time student in a degree program for spring semester, there could potentially be additional costs like health insurance plan, parking, or the rec center for example; this may differ if you selected undergrad or grad as well. Health insurance can still be waived of full time students with verification of other health insurance or proof of off campus living I think. Full time freshman are required to live on campus and so large fees may also be there because of that. It is crucial to have applied as a nondegree seeking student to make this most cost-effective. Any, I am not sure what your fees are listed as but you should absolutely contact them or drop the course; you can't drop it after the first day or 2 and you don't want some random class that you didn't actually finish to be a required transcript you have to send places which would also bring down your cumulative GPA. A fee that large sounds like a health insurance fee actually, and if you are only there for 1 mini term as a non degree seeking student, it doesn't seem like you would need that. Defineately call.

[freeloader]

Thanks, LuckyLion44, for the advice. I went ahead and emailed the student accounts address and heard back quickly. I was told "The University is covering course charges for students in Winter-mini. You do not need to pay." So, that's good. Still kind of curious if/when the bill updates.

[LuckyLion44]

I also called them and discovered that the course fees will charge you but that all winter mini student will receive a tuition and general course fees scholarship which should equal out. (ACCT 530 has that course materials fee which is not covered by the scholarship because its course materials not class fees).