Last Revised: August 16, 2022

Locked Rate and Variable Rate Tuition FAQs

What is my tuition rate code?

Tuition and fees for undergraduate students are assessed based on assigned tuition rate codes.

• Prospective Undergraduate Students will not have a tuition rate code. They should visit the Cost of Attendance

estimates on the Scholarships and Financial Aid website for estimated tuition and fees costs.

• Incoming Undergraduate Students (Freshman, Transfers or Readmits) must select a tuition rate code before

being allowed to register for classes for the first time.

All incoming resident undergraduate students will have to select a tuition rate code in Howdy (howdy.tamu.edu) (My

Finances Tab in the Billing Tuition and Fees Channel) before being allowed to register for classes for the first time.

Locked Rate Tuition is not an option for non-resident students, so they will automatically be assigned the variable rate

What do the tuition rate codes mean?

TLR stands for Tuition Locked Rate, and TVR stands for Tuition Variable Rate. The first three characters indicate which

tuition rate code the student selected. The last four characters of the Locked Rate tuition codes show the year the

student first entered college after high school. After the expiration of four years, students will pay the current year's

What is the difference between Locked Rate and Variable Rate tuition?

Locked Rate Tuition (TLR-Tuition Locked Rate): A tuition plan that would lock in the amount of tuition and required fees

for 12 consecutive semesters. This plan starts from the point of initial enrollment at any public or private institution

the university.

The Variable Rate for the current academic year is lower than the Locked Rate; however, the rate increases annually.

These increases to the Variable Rate could result in overall tuition and fee charges that are higher than the overall

tuition and fee charges for the Locked Rate. The choice is comparable to choosing between a fixed interest rate

mortgage and a variable interest rate mortgage.

Last Revised: August 16, 2022

Should I choose Locked or Variable Rate tuition?

While we cannot tell you which choice is best for your situation, we can provide you with information to help you make

an informed decision. We recommend that you discuss the option with your parent or guardian.

• Would my family or I benefit from having a fixed cost of tuition and required fees?

Where can I view the cost difference between Locked and Variable Rate tuition?

You can use our Tuition Calculator (tuition.tamu.edu) to view the cost difference between the Locked Rate for the year

you first entered college (Example: Locked 2020-2021 on Tuition Calculator = TLR_2021 rate code in Howdy) and the

Variable Rate for the current year.

Tuition and required fees also vary depending on what college the student attends, so the Tuition Calculator will allow

Example costs per semester of 2018-2019 tuition and fees for a student in the College of Liberal Arts paying in-state

tuition and registered for 12 or more hours:

How can I change my tuition rate code?

• Incoming Undergraduate Students - Incoming first-year students and transfer/re-admit students may change

their selection up until the 5th class day of their first term of enrollment. Do so by logging in to your secure

Howdy portal with your NetID and password, then click on the Howdy Dashboard icon. Once in the Howdy

Dashboard, go to Overview, and select the drop-down under My Record. Under Academics, click on

What tuition rate code must I choose if my tuition and fees are covered by the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (TGTP)

TGTP and TTPF should not be a factor in deciding which rate code to select. TGTP and TTPF will cover the guaranteed

amounts based on your plan eligibility regardless of which tuition rate code you choose.

Which tuition rate code should I choose if ROTC is paying my tuition?

How does the tuition rate code affect me if I am on the Blinn team?