Miscellaneous Policies

Policies and procedures for certain items, including, but not limited to, academic advisement, academic review, appeals, attendance in academic courses, auditing courses, clinical attire, grades, promotions/dismissal, grievance procedures, and student employment may be referenced in the various Schools’ student handbooks and/or catalogs.

Absences. Please refer to the individual School’s catalogs and/or handbooks for more specific details relating to your program.
Academic Requirements. Academic requirements vary with each TTUHSC School and particular degree program in which the student is enrolled. Students should consult with their respective School’s academic/program advisor and/or School’s catalog for specific details.
Admissions and Applicants. The educational policies of the TTUHSC are founded upon the regulations of the Board of Regents of the Texas Tech University System. TTUHSC is an upper-level, graduate, and professional study institution. The application and admissions policies for TTUHSC are outlined in the individual Schools’ catalogs. Most programs at TTUHSC have a deadline for receipt of applications and supporting documents. These deadlines vary by program and application year. Applicants are advised to contact the program to which they are seeking admission for specific deadline dates.
Adding and Dropping Courses. Consult with your academic department for deadline dates for adding and/or dropping courses. Students should make an appointment with their advisor to complete appropriate documentation. Students dropping a course to the point of zero hours of enrollment are considered to be withdrawing from the School’s program. Please refer to the individual Schools’ catalogs and/or handbooks for more specific details relating to your program.
Affiliation. The Student Government Association is the official organization representing students. Students may identify with off-campus programs and activities as individuals, but not as representatives of the student body.
Attendance. The faculty member responsible for the course determines attendance requirements for each course. A student who fails to attend any class for any reason is responsible for the material presented in class, assignments, examinations, announcements, etc. to the same extent as though the student had attended the class. Please refer to the individual School’s catalogs and/or handbooks for more specific details relating to your program.
Bacterial Meningitis
1. General. Meningococcal disease is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. This disease affects approximately 3000 Americans each year, including 100-125 people on college campuses, leading to 5-15 deaths per year among college students.
2. Risks and Exposures. The organism is spread from person-to-person through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions such as coughing and kissing. Sharing cigarettes, water bottles, eating utensils and food, may increase your exposure. Resident Hall-style living may also play a role as crowded environments facilitate the spread of the infection.
3. Symptoms and Diagnosis. Early diagnosis is important. Your healthcare provider may use a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests to diagnose the disease. Seek medical attention immediately if one or more of these symptoms appear:
  1. High fever
  2. Severe Headaches
  3. Vomiting
  4. Light sensitivity
  5. Stiff neck
  6. Nausea
  7. Lethargy
  8. Seizures
  9. Confusion and sleepiness
  10. Rash or purple patches on skin
4. Possible Treatment and Consequences If NOT Treated. Antibiotic treatment may be effective if exposure and disease is detected early. Possible consequences of the disease, include, but are not limited to:
  1. Permanent brain damage
  2. Kidney failure
  3. Learning disability
  4. Gangrene
  5. Coma
  6. Convulsions
  7. Hearing loss
  8. Blindness
  9. Limb damage that may require amputation
  10. Death
5. Prevention. Vaccinations may be effective against 4 of the 5 most common bacterial types that cause 70% of the disease in the United States. Vaccinations typically take 7-10 days to become effective, with protection lasting 3-5 years. The vaccination is generally safe–most common side effects may include redness and minor pain at the injection site for up to two days.
6. Information. If you have more questions contact:
  1. Your healthcare provider
  2. Your local or regional Texas Department of Health
  3. TTUHSC Family Practice Clinic at 806-743-2757
  4. Visit these web sites for more information - http://www.cdc.gov/ncird/dbd.html or www.acha.org
Immunizations. In order to protect the health of our students and the health of the patients with whom they come in contact, TTUHSC requires all entering students to provide documentation of all immunizations as listed below. Immunization requirements are based on regulations, guidelines and recommendations available as of October, 2012 from the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). The meningitis requirement must be sent in immediately and all other requirements must be met prior to orientation. The student is responsible for all associated costs. For those who do not comply with COVID vaccine mandates, it may impact the Covered Individual’s ability to provide care, obtain required clinical hours, and maintain credentialing.
1. Medical and Religious Exemptions. Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §97.62 describes the conditions under which individuals can seek exemptions from Texas immunization requirements. Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, active duty with the armed forces of the United States, and reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.
2. A person claiming exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, from a required immunization may only obtain the affidavit form by submitting a request (via online form, mail, fax or hand-delivery) to the department. The request must include following information:
  1. Full name of student
  2. Student’s date of birth (month/day/year)
  3. Complete mailing address, including telephone number
  4. Number of requested affidavit forms (not to exceed 5).
3. View the Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience for written requests.
4. Affidavit form requests will be processed and mailed within one week from the receipt of the request. If additional information is needed in order to process the affidavit, you will be notified.
5. The vaccine exemption forms for reasons of conscience including a religious belief are only for students claiming a vaccine exemption for the first time after 9/1/03. If you’ve submitted a religious exemption prior to 9/1/03, you are grandfathered under the old law and do not need a new form.
Tuberculosis Surveillance. Tuberculosis surveillance for Covered Individuals is based on current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommendations and Reports (December 30, 2005, 54 (#RR-17):1-147), Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings.
Exposure Management. Institutional management of exposure to: (1) blood-borne pathogens, (2) body fluids and, (3) other miscellaneous exposures is based on regulations, guidelines and recommendations available as of October 2012 from the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For exposure-related incidents, students must notify the Office of Institutional Health at (806) 743-4020 or go to https://www.ttuhsc.edu/institutional-health/ for information.
Working with Affiliated Entities-Student Drug Screenings, HSC OP 77.15
1. For purposes of this policy the term “Student” does not include residents in the Schools of Medicine or Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy.
2. Background
  1. TTUHSC enters into affiliation agreements with various health care clinical entities (“Affiliated Entities”), such as hospitals and other facilities, in order to provide clinical experience opportunities for its students enrolled in TTUHSC clinical education programs.
  2. Affiliated Entities may establish more stringent standards for students who wish to do a clinical rotation at the affiliated entity, than those required by TTUHSC as part of its admission process. Affiliated Entities may require students, among other things, to undergo and satisfactorily pass additional background checks and/or drug screenings as a pre-requisite to participating in a clinical rotation at the Affiliated Entity.
  3. Clinical rotations are an essential element in certain degree programs’ curricula. Students who cannot participate in clinical rotations due to a positive drug screening may be unable to fulfill the requirements of a degree program. TTUHSC schools may NOT mandate this requirement for all students. It applies solely to those students who must fulfill the requirement for participation in a clinical rotation at an Affiliated Entity.
3. Clinical Placement
  1. Placements at Affiliated Entities for clinical rotations will be based on the learning objectives as defined by each program consistent with the learning objectives of each student. Determination of unacceptable results of a drug screening will be made by the Affiliated Entity. Any student placed with an Affiliated Entity that requires additional background checks and/or drug screens, who cannot meet these requirements, must discuss all available options with their School’s Office of Student Affairs or their designee.
  2. Affiliated entities may conduct their own drug screening. If the student fails the drug test and is consequently denied externship placement, s/he shall be subject tojdisciplinary action in accordance with the TTUHSC policies.
4. Responsibility of the School. The student’s school shall:
  1. Notify the student of the Affiliated Entity’s requirements for a drug screen, to include the type(s) of drug screen required by the Affiliated Entity, deadlines to meet the Affiliated Entity’s requirements, a list of approved drug screen testing vendors, and a completed Authorization, Attachment “A,” for signature by the student.
  2. Receive the student’s drug screen test results, which shall be maintained in a confidential, locked file separate from the student’s primary educational records.
  3. Notify and ensure the Affiliated Entity that all students prior to their clinical rotation have met their drug screening requirements.
5. Responsibility of the Student
  1. The student shall pay for the cost of any and all drug screening required by an Affiliated Entity that is designated for student matriculation by TTUHSC provided articles b, c, d, below are met. The student shall be responsible for the cost of any necessary re-test or subsequent tests at TTUHSC designated Affiliated Entity(s) and any drug screening required by an Affiliated Entity selected for matriculation by the student.
  2. The student shall complete the drug screen prior to the deadlines provided by the School and meet the guidelines of the Affiliated Entity. Failure to complete the drug test prior to the deadlines may result in an additional expense to the student, and/or delay in, or denial of, rotation in the Affiliated Entity.
  3. The student shall use a drug screen vendor from the designated vendors provided to the student by their School and/or the Affiliated Entity. 1) Results from a vendor NOT on designated by the School and/or Affiliated Entity will not be accepted and the student shall be required to have the drug screening test(s) conducted by an approved vendor.
  4. The student will be required to sign a valid consent and authorization, Attachment “A,” consenting to the drug screening and giving the vendor performing the test permission to provide the drug screen test results to the person designated by the School to receive student drug screen tests results under this policy.
6. Student Refusal to Consent to Drug Screen. Any student who fails or refuses to consent to a drug screen required by an Affiliated Entity to which the student has been assigned by their School shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the TTUHSC Student Handbook/Code of Professional and Academic Conduct, the Schools’ written policies, if any, and this policy.
7. Period of Validity - Drug Screen Results
  1. Unless otherwise required by an Affiliated Entity, drug screen test results will generally be valid for the time the student is in the program within the School unless there is a break in enrollment, defined as not enrolled for one full semester.
  2. Students may be required to undergo drug screening more than once depending on the requirements of each Affiliated Entity in which the student is placed to meet their learning objectives or the number of Affiliated Entities at which the student is placed.
8. Drug Screen Results
  1. Diluted Specimen. Should the vendor report that the screening specimen was diluted, thereby precluding an accurate drug screen test, the student, at their expense, will be required to complete and successfully pass a new drug screen test.
  2. Negative Drug Screen Results. The School which receives a student’s drug screen test results, may release negative drug screen test results to the student, provided the student has signed the appropriate release form, Attachment A.
  3. Positive Drug Screen Results
    1. A positive drug screen is any instance in which a drug screen report shows a positive test for one or more of the drugs on the panel required by the Affiliated Entity.
    2. Any student with a positive drug screen will not be placed in any clinical facility pending review and outcome of appeal with the vendor.
    3. The student has the right, at their expense, to request an independent review of any positive drug screen, by an independent Medical Review Officer, provided by the vendor. There will be an additional charge if review by the Medical Review Officer is requested, and the student is responsible for all costs related to this review.
    4. Any appeal based on a positive drug screen is solely between the student, the Medical Review Officer and the vendor. The student’s School will not become involved in the appeal of a positive drug screen.
    5. \If, after review by the independent Medical Review Officer, there is no valid medical basis which would cause or contribute to the positive drug screen, the test results will stand, at which point the student will be referred to the School’s Office of Student Affairs for disciplinary action in accordance with this policy and the School’s written policies.
9. Confidentiality of Records. Drug screening reports and all records pertaining to the results are considered confidential information with restricted access to the extent allowed by law.
10. Re-admission
  1. Any student who is withdrawn due to a positive drug screen without medical validation will only be eligible for readmission to any TTUHSC program of study in accordance with the School’s readmission policies.
  2. If accepted for readmission after the required period of time, the student must, at their own expense, provide a negative drug test and satisfactory documentation of completion of any remedial action required by the School.
11. Right to Change Policy. TTUHSC reserves the right to change, modify, amend or rescind this policy in whole, or in part. at any time.
Credit by Exam. Specific credit by examination policies may be found in each of the Schools’ catalogs and/or student handbooks; however, the School of Nursing does not offer Credit by Exam. Pass or fail grades earned on examinations for these courses will not be considered in determining grade-point averages. TTUHSC Schools may elect not to accept credit by examination, where it is determined that such academic achievement may hinder the success on national licensure exams/certifications.
Disabilities (Students). Reference TTUHSC OP 77.14 and TTUHSC OP 51.04.. TTUHSC complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and state and local requirements regarding students with disabilities. Under these laws, no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall be denied access to or participation in services, programs and activities of TTUHSC solely on the basis of the disability.
1. Any student seeking accommodations on the basis of disability must apply for services as a qualified student with Student Disability Services and provide supporting documentation of a disability.
2. Students with grievances related to discrimination on the basis of a disability should review the Student Handbook, Part IV* Anti-Discrimination. The grievance process would include the Director of Student Disability Services.
Discrimination/Equal Opportunity. No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by TTUHSC on any basis prohibited by applicable law, including but not limited to, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, veteran status or disability. Grievances related to discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin or age should be pursued through regular administrative channels. Academic problems are to be handled in the academic administrative structure culminating in review by the individual School’s Dean. The individual Schools as noted in their Schools’ catalogs should direct non-academic student matters to HSC Student Affairs. For more information, visit https://www.ttuhsc.edu/hsc/op/op51/op5101.pdf, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Affirmative Action Plan.
Employment Grievance. A student wishing to pursue a grievance concerning employment with the University and who has not found satisfaction or resolution with their immediate supervisor or the person in charge of that department may contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity in accordance with the grievance procedures outlined in the TTUHSC OP 70.10, Non-faculty Employee Complaint and Grievance Procedures. The procedures manual may be reviewed in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.
Exams. Please refer to the individual School’s catalogs for more specific exam details relating to your program. Any student seeking exam accommodations on the basis of disability must apply for services as a qualified student with Student Disability Services and must provide supporting documentation of disability. Appropriate and reasonable accommodations, if any, will be determined by Student Disability Services.
Financial Policies. Students must meet all financial responsibilities due the University. The writing of checks on accounts with insufficient funds, the non-payment or delinquent payment of outstanding loans, and failure to meet any other financial obligations to the University, are considered a lack of financial responsibility. Financial irresponsibility can subject the student to action by TTUHSC, including, but not limited to, denial of registration, withholding of grades and transcripts and possible adjudication under the Code of Professional and Academic Conduct. In addition, failure to meet financial obligations to the University may result in:
1. Cancellations of the student’s registration if tuition and registration fees are not paid by the 12th class day and 20th class day (4th class day and 15th class day in summer), or if a returned check given in payment of tuition and fees is not redeemed by that time;
2. Loss of University check writing privileges and possible criminal prosecution for writing insufficient fund checks and for failure to pick up a returned check;
3. A hold placed on a student’s academic records preventing future registration (before registering or requesting a transcript, students may check on the presence of holds on their records by contacting the Office of the Registrar); and/or,
4. Reporting of financial problems to a credit agency or a collection agent.
Grades/Grading
1. The instructor assigned to a course has the responsibility for determining a grade and for judging the quality of academic performance.
2. The processing of formal appeal procedures is the responsibility of the School which administers the course. A copy of the grade appeal procedures may be found in the individual Schools’ catalogs and/or handbooks. A student must file a formal written appeal within 3 days of the beginning of the next semester in accordance with the individual Schools’ policy regarding student grade appeals. A grade can be formally appealed only when there is demonstrable evidence that prejudice, arbitrary or capricious action on the part of the instructor has influenced the grade. The burden of proof that such an unfair influence has affected a grade rests with the student who appeals the grade. Only final course grades may be formally appealed to the responsible academic dean. Earlier grades and other academic grievances may be discussed with the instructor involved and with the chair of the department or division involved. After a degree has been posted, no further adjustments can be made on the record except under extraordinary circumstances as determined by the Dean of the School the student is enrolled under.
Graduation Procedures
1. Degree requirements are published in the individual School’s catalogs.
2. Prior to graduation, all candidates for TTUHSC degrees are required to:
  1. Complete all graduation requirements set forth by the applicable School;
  2. Complete and return to the Office of the Registrar the University’s Graduation
  3. Application form in the semester before anticipated graduation (the student’s “diploma name” as requested in the Graduation Application form is printed on their diploma, and information provided by the student is used in commencement programs);
  4. Be registered in the semester the certificate or degree is to be conferred unless the student is granted an exception by the dean of their school;
  5. Federal Student Aid Exit Counseling must be completed by students who have received financial assistance, which must be repaid after graduation.
Medical Services Fee and Student Health Insurance
1. TTUHSC provides health services to students who are currently enrolled and have paid the Medical Services Fee as part of their tuition and fees. To receive health services, students must present their student I.D. card at the time of their appointment. Students who also have private insurance will need to submit their receipt for the co-pay charged at the appointment to their insurance company for reimbursement.
  1. Each TTUHSC campus has designated facilities that students can use when needing health care services. Each location offers a range of services from medical checkups and mental health services to wellness support and health education. Students will find information about each facility and covered services at the following link: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-affairs/health.aspx. The Medical Services Fee covers only those services listed on the aforementioned webpage. All other charges incurred are the students’ responsibility.
  2. If a student receives a bill from the Health Sciences Center for services covered by the Medical Services Fee, they should contact the Office of Student Life at (806) 743-2302.
2. Clinic Procedures. Please call to make an appointment. If you need to be seen for a sudden illness, please call that day as early as possible. If you need to be seen after clinic hours, call your campus’s clinic phone number and ask to leave a message for the on-call physician. When you check in, please inform the receptionist that you are a TTUHSC student. If you come to the clinic without an appointment, it may be necessary for you to wait for a physician. Immunizations, paper work, and routine procedures are not ordinarily considered urgent care, and may not be taken care of on the same day as requested. Telemedicine and nurse on call services may also be available. If you have a health emergency that requires you to be seen at a hospital emergency room, go to the hospital listed for your campus under “Clinic Locations.” Visits to an emergency room that generate a charge from either TTUHSC or the hospital are your responsibility.
3. Student Health Insurance Requirement.
  1. Per OP 77.19, all students must obtain and maintain health insurance coverage that is Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant while enrolled at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), except those enrolled in a 100% distance program. Link to the list of programs: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-life/documents/Programs-Do-Not-Require-Insurance.pdf
    1. The term “100% distance program” means the entirety of the degree program is online, with no face to face or onsite academic, research, or clinical component.
    2. “Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant” is defined as coverage which accepts preexisting conditions and meets the criteria of Minimum Value and Essential Health Benefits.
      1. Minimum Value covers at least 60 percent of the total allowed cost of benefits that are expected to be incurred under the plan.
      2. Essential Health Benefits include: hospitalization, ambulatory services, emergency services, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs, lab tests, preventative services, pediatric services, rehabilitative and “habilitative” services.
  2. Per OP 77.03, TTUHSC requires that all non-immigrant F-1 students have health insurance coverage as a condition of enrollment. This guarantees that both TTUHSC and the non-immigrant students are in compliance with United States federal regulations and guidelines.
  3. TTUHSC will add the fee for the university sponsored student health insurance plan to students’ tuition and fee accounts each semester at the time they register. Students will have the ability to opt-out of the student health insurance plan by submitting a waiver request if they have qualifying alternative insurance. If the waiver request is approved, the fee will be removed or refunded. If a student has an approved waiver for the fall semester, the approved waiver will carry over to the spring and summer semesters. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their alternative insurance is active during this time. A new waiver request will be required each fall or the first semester a student begins a program. All information about the university sponsored student health insurance plan can be found on the Office of Student Life website, https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-life/.
  4. Any student who does not comply with the Student Health Insurance requirement shall be subject to disciplinary action, including cancellation of the student’s registration.
Interprofessional Education. All TTUHSC students, regardless of school affiliation, will be required to complete the IPE Core Curriculum prior to graduation. The IPE Core Curriculum is composed of two components including successful completion of a non-credit online course (>70% accuracy on all knowledge post-tests) and successful participation in at least one registered IPE learning activity. Failure to complete the IPE Core Curriculum will result in delayed graduation. Students should consult their academic/program advisor and/or school catalog for additional information.
Notification of Student Death. HSC Student Affairs is the Office of the Chancellor’s liaison regarding notification of any student deaths. Schools must notify the Associate Provost for Student Affairs immediately in the event of any student death.
Program of Assistance for Students. Personal counseling services are available to all TTUHSC students through the Program of Assistance for Students (PAS). Through the PAS, licensed counselors are available to assist students with all types of problems, including stress associated with academic, legal, or financial concerns; depression, anxiety, and/or other emotional problems; family and relationship issues; alcohol and drug abuse; and other mental health and wellness issues. For more information or to request assistance, please call 1-806- 743-1327 or 1-800-327-0328. In after-hours situations, these PAS phone numbers serve as a 24-hour crisis line. In the event of an emergency, the answering service will connect the student with the counselor who is on call. Through PAS, TTUHSC students and their dependents are eligible to receive eight free counseling sessions per year. Additional information about PAS services can be found at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/centers-institutes/counseling/pas.aspx.
Student Emergency Contact Information. Students must keep their Emergency Contact Information current. To do so, visit webraider.ttuhsc.edu and sign in. Select the “MyTech (for Students)” tab and look in the “Personal Information” box. Click “Update Emergency Contacts” and fill in your information.
Registration
1. Registration is coordinated by the Office of the Registrar in cooperation with the School in which the student enrolls. Tuition and fees are payable in full at the time of registration unless other arrangements have been completed. Registration for new students is completed as a step in the orientation process, or with the assistance of the Schools’ Student Affairs or Coordinators office.
2. To be eligible for registration, the student must have been officially admitted as a new student, or officially readmitted following an absence, and must have satisfied all admission requirements, or must be a continuing student who is eligible to continue as a student at the University. Any student deemed ineligible due to academic, administrative or disciplinary sanction will be barred from registration. Students must provide all final transcripts to each school ‘s Office of Admissions by the end of the first semester in which they are enrolled or a hold will be place- preventing registration in future semesters. *See Student Record and Transcript Policy located at http://www.ttuhsc.edu/registrar/documents/student.record.transcript.policy.pdf
3. Late Registration. Students are expected to register at their earliest opportunity. A student who registers late may be assessed a fee. Consult the Office of the Registrar for deadline dates for registration.
Religious Holy Days
1. A student who intends to observe a Religious Holy Day should provide written notice, at the earliest possible date prior to the absence, to the following: (1) the instructor of each affected class and (2) the Director of Student Affairs of their School. A student will be excused from attending class(es), examinations, or other required activities for the observance of a Religious Holy Day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this section will be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment within a reasonable time and at the sole discretion of the instructor of record and/or the Director of Student Affairs before or after the absence.
2. A student who is excused under the above provision may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the missed assignment or examination within the above-stated time.
3. Any disputes regarding this policy should be submitted in writing to the TTUHSC Provost or their designee. Any decision by the Provost or their designee regarding the dispute shall be final.
4. This policy does not apply to any student absence for a Religious Holy Day which may interfere with patient responsibilities or patient care.
Remote Examinations. Remote examinations will be conducted with the assistance of proctoring tools to preserve academic integrity and fairness. Such proctoring tools may include, but are not limited to, the utilization of video and/or audio capabilities to examine, scan, evaluate, and/or monitor you, your work station, associated areas, and surroundings (“Exam Conditions”). By continuing to remain registered in your courses, you consent to these Exam Conditions. If you do not consent or wish to withdraw your consent, please contact the faculty member of your course and other arrangements may be made, such as onsite testing.
State Residency Classification. Students are responsible for registering under the proper residence classification and for providing documentation as required by the institution. If there is any question about the right to classification as a resident of Texas, it is the student’s obligation, prior to the time of enrollment, to ask for an official determination by the Office of the Registrar. Non-residents who live in Texas taking only online courses are charged non-resident tuition and fees. An applicant whose classification as a resident of the State of Texas is not clearly established should request a Residency Questionnaire from the Office of the Registrar.
Sexual Harassment Policy. Harassment of students of the basis of sex is a violation of §106.31 of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Student concerns about sexual harassment which include faculty, staff, or students should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator -University Center 330 A, (806) 743-9861, or TitleIXCoordinator@ttuhsc.edu.
Tuition and Fees Installment Payment Options
1. Texas Education Code, Section 54.007, provides that state-supported institutions of higher education shall provide students with the election to pay tuition and fees during the fall, spring, or long summer semesters in installments. TTUHSC offers the following payment alternatives:
  1. Full payment of tuition and fees in advance of the beginning of the semester; or
  2. One-half payment of tuition and fees in advance of the beginning of the semester and separate one-fourth payments prior to the sixth and eleventh class weeks, respectively.
2. TTUHSC shall develop procedures which will provide that students may elect to pay tuition and fees using the payment alternative. Student who elect to pay by installments are required to complete a Financial Responsibility Agreement each semester.
3. TTUHSC is authorized to establish payment due dates in advance of the beginning of a semester and prior to the sixth and eleventh class weeks respectively so that required payments have been received and student records have been appropriately updated on the dates required by law.
4. If a student elects to pay tuition and fees using the payment alternative, he or she shall be assessed an installment option fee in addition to the required payment of tuition and fees. The fee developed and recommended for approval shall reflect all costs incurred in operating and handling payments under the installment alternative. The rates of the fee shall be approved by the Board of Regents.
5. If a student who has elected to pay tuition by installment fails to pay in full all amounts of tuition, other registration fees, installment option fee, late payment fees, and other authorized fees by the end of the business day of the last day of the semester, then he or she will be dropped from School for failure to pay.
6. TTUHSC shall develop procedures so that students are notified of the requirements, provisions, and penalties of the installment payment options.
7. For each academic year, the Board of Regents shall approve the assessment of tuition and fees for students of component institutions of the Texas Tech System. The recommended revisions to student tuition and mandatory fee rates shall be presented biennially to the board by the Finance Administration.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policies

Institutional Refund Policy. Texas Education Code, Section 54.006, provides the amount of tuition and fees to be refunded to students who drop courses or withdraw from the institution. Class day count is based on the official institution calendar for the school, not the specific course dates.

Students who drop a course, but remain enrolled at the institution will be refunded at the following rate:

Term	Class Day	Percent of Refund of Charges
Fall, Spring, or Summer - More than 5 weeks but less than 10 weeks in duration	1st class day through 4th class day	100%
Fall, Spring, or Summer - Duration of 10 weeks or longer	1st class day through 12th class day	100%
	After 12th class day	None

Students who withdraw from the institution (zero semester credit hours) are required to pay tuition and fees according to the following schedule based on their official withdrawal date:

Term	Class Day	Percent of Refund of Charges
Fall, Spring, or Summer - More than 5 weeks but less than 10 weeks in duration	Before the 1st class day	100%
	1st, 2nd, or 3rd class day	80%
	4th, 5th, or 6th class day	50%
	7th class day or later	None
Fall, Spring, or Summer - Duration of 10 weeks or longer	Before the 1st class day	100%
	1st five class days	80%
	2nd five class days	70%
	3rd five class days	50%
	4th five class days	25%
	21st class day and after	None

Withdrawal from TTUHSC. It’s important for students who receive financial aid and withdraw or drop all courses during the term to be aware of the refund policies and to understand the impact they will have on the aid released and the continued financial aid eligibility. Current refund policies for students who withdraw or drop all courses during a term are determined by the Higher Education Title IV refund regulations.

Federal Refund and Repayment calculations must be performed for students who receive Title IV (Pell, FSEOG, and/or Federal Direct Loans) funds and officially withdraw from all courses, drop out of all courses, are expelled, take an unapproved leave of absence, or fail to return from an approved leave of absence prior to the 60% date of the term. All “unearned aid” must be returned to the federal aid programs as determined by the Federal Refund and Repayment calculations.
1. The requirements for Title IV program funds are separate from the university refund policy. As such, you are responsible for unpaid institutional charges remaining after the refund calculation. You are also responsible for charges/ balances created by the returning of Title IV program funds that the school was required to return.
  If you have questions about your Title IV program funds, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID(1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913. Information is also available on Student Aid on the Web at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Title IV Funds. In order to keep all the financial aid issued in each term, students must be enrolled for more than 60% of the term. After this point in the term, students have earned 100% of the Title IV funds released for the term. Therefore, it is in your best interest to maintain attendance and complete at least one class each term that you receive federal aid to avoid repayment of funds.

How the calculation works:

Number of days attended ÷ Days in semester = % of semester completed
Total $ disbursed X % completed = Earned $
Total $ disbursed - Earned $ = $ to be returned

Once it is determined that you owe money back to any of the federal aid programs, you will be ineligible to receive further federal aid at TTUHSC or any other institution, until this debt is cleared.

To remain eligible for financial aid, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). This evaluation process is comprised by three standards; qualitative, quantitative, and maximum time frame. This determination must be made at least once per year. This evaluation process may be different for different schools at the HSC. For more information and school specific SAP information, please visit: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/financial-aid/eligibility.aspx

Qualitative - grade point average on hours attempted
Quantitative - hours successfully completed based on hours enrolled. As a general rule, a student must successfully pass 67% of the hours they attempt (hours as of census date).
Maximum Time Frame - students may not attempt more than 150% of the required program hours (or years for medical students) to complete their degree program.

Veterans Resource Center. The mission of the VRC at TTUHSC is to support our Values-Based Culture and assist veterans and military families in achieving academic, personal, and professional success. The VRC serves as a resource to connect veterans and military families to the University and surrounding communities. The VRC also oversees the certification of state and federal benefits such as:
1. Hazlewood Act, a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption.
2. VA education and training benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who provide various benefits to help eligible veterans, servicemembers, and qualified family members with paying college tuition, finding a school or program, and career counseling.

Connect with the VRC by visiting https://www.ttuhsc.edu/veterans-resource-center/.