Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Excess Hours Cost State $62 Million Annually; University Actions May Help Address Problem

Report 06-58, August 2006




Report Summary

  • To ensure that higher education is affordable, the Legislature historically has mandated relatively low tuition and general fees. However, most students attending the state's public universities graduate with credit hours in excess of graduation requirements, which increase state higher education costs. In Fiscal Year 2004-05, these excess hours cost the state $62 million.
  • OPPAGA's 2004 report offered several policy options for legislative consideration to decrease the state's cost of excess hours, including requiring that certain students pay for at least a portion of the cost of excess hours. In 2005, the Legislature passed SB 2236 to require students to pay 75% of the actual cost of credit hours beyond 120% of the hours required for their degree. However, the bill was vetoed by the Governor.
  • Florida public postsecondary institutions have taken steps to reduce time to graduation and excess hours. Because these strategies have been implemented relatively recently, it is too early to draw conclusions on their effectiveness.


Related Reports
  1. Several Universities Have Improved Systems to Track Student Progress
    Report 09-22 March 2009
  2. Legislature Has Clarified Authority for Implementing Changes to Setting Higher Education Tuition and Fees
    Report 06-75 December 2006
  3. Florida's Postsecondary Institutions Employ a Variety of Support Services for Students
    Report 06-52 June 2006
  4. OPPAGA Report: Student Tracking Systems Can Be Used to Enhance Graduation and Retention Rates
    Report 06-48 May 2006
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
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