FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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- What are the qualifications to get into Concurrent Enrollment at UTPA?
There are two programs under which you may qualify for Concurrent Enrollment: the High School to University Program and the Independent Student Program. As a first-time student you must apply to the University by completing questions 1-34 of the Texas Common Application. An online version of the Texas Common Application is available at www.applytexas.org. A paper version is available through the Concurrent Enrollment Office. Potential students also need to complete the Concurrent Enrollment Program Application which requires the signatures/approval of you, your parent/guardian, high school counselor and principal. An official high school transcript (submitted in an envelope sealed by the school registrar/counselor) should accompany the CE Program Application. Open transcripts will not be accepted. All students wishing to register in college level courses need to be assessed for college readiness through a Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and meet deadlines for Concurrent Enrollment admission. High School to University Program
If you attend a school in a district that has an agreement with UTPA you may be admitted into this program if you meet one of the following criteria: - Have an ACT composite of 22 (SAT 1030 combined verbal/critical reading and math score); or
- Be in the top 10% of your graduation class; or
- Have a 90 or above grade point average in academic courses
Independent Student Program
If you are a student that attends school in one of the districts that does not have an agreement with UTPA you will need to meet the following criteria: - Have an ACT composite of 22 (SAT 1030 combined verbal/critical reading and math score); AND
- Be in the top 10% of your graduation class; or
- Have a 90 or above grade point average in your academic courses
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- Does my school/school district have an agreement with UTPA?
As of July 2006, the following districts have signed agreements with UTPA:
- Brooks County ISD
- Brownsville ISD
- Donna ISD
- Edcouch-Elsa ISD
- Edinburg CISD
- Faith Christian Academy
- H.O.P.E. for Hidalgo Home School
- Harlingen CISD
- Hidalgo ISD
- Jim Hogg County ISD
- La Joya ISD
- La Villa ISD
- Lyford ISD
- McAllen ISD
- Mercedes ISD
- Mission CISD
- Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation
- Owens Christian Academy
- Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD
- Progreso ISD
- Raymondville ISD
- Rio Grande City CISD
- Roma ISD
- San Benito CISD
- San Isidro ISD
- San Perlita ISD
- Santa Rosa ISD
- Sharyland ISD
- South Texas ISD
- Valley View ISD
- Weslaco ISD
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- What are the requirements to participate with Concurrent Enrollment?
All new students are required to attend New Student Orientation. Upon acceptance into the program you will receive a letter of congratulations/acceptance and an invitation to orientation. RSVP deadlines and procedures must be followed to secure a slot for orientation.
Students must earn a “C” or better in each university course taken in order to continue participation in future terms. Grades of D, F, DF (drop/fail), and WF (withdraw/fail) disqualify students from future eligibility. An I (incomplete) will also disqualify a student from future eligibility until the grade is posted. Continued eligibility will be dependent upon the grade posted.
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- How will Concurrent Enrollment benefit me?
Through Concurrent Enrollment, you will have the opportunity to enroll in university courses, benefit from the expertise of highly qualified university professors, take advantage of our outstanding academic facilities and--best of all--earn college credit while you’re still in high school! Concurrent Enrollment at UTPA offers you a “Total University Experience” because we believe that it’s the best way for you to prepare yourself for a successful academic career after high school graduation.
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- What is the difference between concurrent enrollment and dual credit?
Dual credit is a process by which a student may attain credit for both college/university and high school courses. Dual credit is most often taught on the high school campus with only high school students.
Concurrent enrollment is a process by which a student is simultaneously enrolled in high school and a college/university and is working towards attaining college/university credit. Concurrent enrollment courses are most often taught on the university campus with both high school and university students.
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- Will I receive credit at my high school and/or UTPA?
When participating in Concurrent Enrollment you are a university student and will receive university credit. Upon receiving an official high school transcript indicating a graduation date, your university credit can be applied to a degree program. While UTPA is not a dual credit program, your school district may choose to provide high school credit if it determines that the university course covers the same material as the high school course as defined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Texas Essential Knowledge Skills (TEKS) requirements. Students should check with their counselor for additional information on the process for determining dual credit prior to enrolling for a course. UTPA can assist with acquiring a course description and syllabus at the request of the student/school.
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- Are Concurrent Enrollment students eligible for financial aid?
No. Students under the High School to University Program are, however, provided a reduced tuition and fees rate that allows them to save approximately one-half or more of the regular tuition and fees cost. Students under the Independent Student Program do not receive the reduced cost.
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- How much will this cost?
All first-time students are assessed a General Property Deposit (currently $20). Tuition and fees vary depending upon the program you are participating through and/or your status as a Texas resident. Books, parking permits, and other related items will be your responsibility. Texas Resident Rate
If you are a resident student participating through the High School to University Program, the cost of tuition and fees is $50 per credit hour. Three (3) credit hours, for example, would cost $170.00 for a first-time student. A returning student would be charged $150. Payment arrangements should be made with your high school/school district. If you are a resident student participating through the Independent Student Program you will be charged regular tuition and fees. Three (3) credit hours, for example, would cost approximately $400 to $500. Payment must be made through UTPA and all payment fees and deadlines will be in effect. Texas Non-Resident Rate
If you are a non-resident participating through either the High School to University Program or the Independent Student Program, tuition and fees will be significantly higher. A three (3) credit hour course would cost approximately $1300 to $1400. Additional fees may also be assessed. You may be able to take courses at the resident rate if you are taking the course for dual credit and appropriate documentation is submitted to the Concurrent Enrollment Office. If you believe you may be classified as a non-resident please contact our office to discuss possible options. Return to Top |
- Should I decide to not remain at UTPA, will my UTPA credits transfer elsewhere?
In most cases, courses taken at UTPA will transfer to other institutes of higher education. This is especially true when a student seeks to transfer credit to another Texas public institute of higher education. Students should inquire with the college/university in which they plan to attend to see how the credit will transfer.
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- Do I have to take the THEA or ACCUPLACER?
In compliance with Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, you must either take a state-approved assessment or be exempt from TSI prior to attending orientation and enrolling in any college-level coursework. Your results will not be used for admission purposes.
State-approved assessments include: THEA, ASSET, ACCUPLACER or COMPASS. You are TSI exempt if you submit verification that you have completed one of the following:
- TAKS (10th or 11th grade scores): 2200 Math and 2200 ELA with a Writing score of 3
- ACT: 23 Composite with a 19 English and 19 Math
- SAT: 1070 combined score (Verbal/Critical Reading and Math) with a 500 Verbal/Critical Reading and 500 Math
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- What are prerequisites?
Prerequisites are requirements, like the TSI, needed prior to taking a particular course. Prerequisites may include satisfactory completion of a high school course, college course, exam, or special permission from the instructor or department. The purpose of a prerequisite is to better ensure a your preparedness to take a course. Please be advised that you may be exempt from TSI but still not have the requirements to get into certain classes.
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- What courses can I enroll in?
At orientation you will undergo academic advisement where you will informed as to the courses you are eligible to take based on information in your student records. All CE students must attend academic advisement prior to registering for their classes. Advisement will continue to be required throughout your university career: once for the summer and fall terms and once for the spring.
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- Are there courses that I am not allowed to enroll in?
You are restricted from the following courses:
- Kinesiology (physical education) and Health courses
- Junior and senior (3000-4000 level) courses
- Developmental courses (ENG 1310, ENG 1320, MATH 1300, & MATH 1334)
- Courses in which state (TSI) or University departmental prerequisites have not been met
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- How many courses can I enroll in?
In accordance with state law, you are restricted to no more than two university courses during any given term. During the summer terms you are further restricted to no more than six credit hours. Although it is not recommended, students may submit an appeal take more classes. Approval must be provided by your high school principal and the chief academic officer of UTPA. Contact the Concurrent Enrollment Office for more information.
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- Who is eligible to participate in UTPA Concurrent Enrollment?
You are eligible to apply for UTPA Concurrent Enrollment if, when you begin participation in the class, you are classified as a high school junior or senior. Exceptions to this requirement for students with demonstrated outstanding academic performance and capability may be approved by your high school principal and the chief academic officer of UTPA. (THCEB Rules: Chapter 5, Subchapter M, 5.262 b3)
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- When do I apply for the program?
There are two types of deadlines, priority and final.
Priority Deadlines
You are best ensured the availability of courses when meeting this deadline. Registration generally begins shortly after this date. The later you submit your application the less likelihood you will have to attain classes that best accommodate your schedule. Applications for deadlines that fall on a weekend must be submitted prior to the end of the workday on the Friday before.
- Fall Semester - March 5
- Spring Semester - October 5
- Summer I and II Sessions - March 5
Final Deadlines
No applications will be accepted after this deadline. Applications for deadlines that fall on a weekend must be submitted prior to the end of the workday on the Friday before.
- Fall Semester - August 5
- Spring Semester - December 5
- Summer I and II Sessions - May 5
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- When is the latest I can drop a course without being penalized?
If your course is dropped before the census date, you will not be billed or have a grade recorded on your University transcript. We recommend that you drop any unnecessary courses two days prior to the census date. This means that students must submit their drop request on or prior to the 10th class day for fall and spring or the 2nd class day for summer sessions. Online registration will not be available after the 4th class day for fall and spring or the 2nd class day for summer sessions. You may need to physically drop your class(es) at the Office of the Registrar during this time.
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- What is the Census Date?
The Census Date is the date in which the University must report enrollment numbers to the State of Texas. Students are officially enrolled after this date, will receive a grade, and are responsible for payment of the course.
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- How can I get a copy of my class schedule?
Schedules can be obtained via the internet at assist.panam.edu. Click on the “Student Services” or “Registration” link and enter the requested information. SID is the 8-digit student ID number assigned by UTPA. The PIN (Personal Identification Number) and RAC (Registration Access Code) are special numbers assigned to you during advisement. You will be required to customize your PIN when you first log on to your account. The RAC will change each time that you are required to attend advisement.
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- Can Concurrent Enrollment help me qualify for the University Scholars scholarship?
Yes. UTPA classes and/or AP exams may be used to meet the course credit requirements for the University Scholars scholarship if credit is attained while the student is still in high school. The University Scholars scholarship is administered through UTPA Student Financial Services. For detailed information, please contact UTPA Student Financial Services at 956/381-2935.
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