Additional student payment for hours exceeding baccalaureate degree program completion requirements at state universities.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage each undergraduate student who enrolls in a state university to complete the student’s respective baccalaureate degree program in the most efficient way possible while providing for access to additional college coursework. Therefore, the Legislature intends to enact a policy that provides incentives for efficient baccalaureate degree completion.

(2) State universities shall require a student to pay an excess hour surcharge for each credit hour in excess of the number of credit hours required to complete the baccalaureate degree program in which the student is enrolled. Each university must calculate an excess hour threshold for each student based on the number of credit hours required for the degree. For any student who changes degree programs, the excess hour threshold must be adjusted only if the number of credit hours required to complete the new degree program exceeds that of the original degree program. The excess hour surcharge for students who enter a state university for the first time and maintain continuous enrollment is as follows:

(a) For the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 academic years, an excess hour surcharge equal to 50 percent of the tuition rate for each credit hour in excess of 120 percent.

(b) For the 2011-2012 academic year, an excess hour surcharge equal to 100 percent of the tuition rate for each credit hour in excess of 115 percent.

(c) For the 2012-2013 academic year through the 2019 spring term, an excess hour surcharge equal to 100 percent of the tuition rate for each credit hour in excess of 110 percent. For the 2019 summer term and thereafter, an excess hour surcharge equal to 100 percent of the tuition rate for each credit hour in excess of 120 percent. Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, a state university shall refund the excess hour surcharge assessed pursuant to this paragraph for up to 12 credit hours to any first-time-in-college student who completes a baccalaureate degree program within 4 years after his or her initial enrollment in a state university.

(3) Except as otherwise provided by law and for purposes of this section, the following credit hours shall be included when calculating the number of hours taken by a student:

(a) All credit hours for courses taken at the state university from which the student is seeking a baccalaureate degree, including:

1. Failed courses.

2. Courses that are dropped after the university’s advertised last day of the drop and add period.

3. Courses from which a student withdraws, except as provided in subsection (4).

4. Repeated courses, except repeated courses for which the student has paid the full cost of instruction as provided in s. 1009.285.