Admission and Testing Information

The institution maintains an "open door" admissions policy, but admission does not guarantee admission to all programs. Admission to some TSC programs and UTB undergraduate programs have specific requirements.  Information about these programs is available at the Academic Advising Center. 

Regular undergraduate academic credit may be transferred from another institution if:

• the credit was earned at an accredited institution
• the nature, content, and level of the course offered by UTB and TSC
• the courses for which credit is sought are appropriate and applicable to program offered by UTB and TSC

Transfer credits accepted for admission purpose may not be applicable for degree purposes. Catalog descriptions and other materials from the institution at which the credit was earned will be used to determine if transfer credit will be applicable for degree purposes. In the case of post secondary work from foreign institutions, The Country Index, published by the international education Research Foundation, Inc., will be used to determine if transfer credit will be applicable for admissions or degree purposes.

Courses that do not transfer include:

• Pre college course such as remedial reading, developmental reading, speed reading, remedial science and orientation
• Drill or skill courses such as filing methods and vocational or technical raining courses such as shop courses, welding, carpentry, plumbing and masonry.  There will be limited exceptions to this rule in the case of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree
• Terminal courses offered at many community colleges that are not intended for transfer to senior colleges. Examples of such courses are auto mechanics, machine shop, electricity, data processing, and degree.) 
•  Doctrinal courses in religion.  Course in religion of a historical or literary nature (but non-doctrinal) are transferable up to a maximum of 12 semester hours of lower division credit.

NOTE: You can obtain course descriptions from the Online University Catalog.  If the course description you seek is not available, request a copy through our office.

No credit will normally be given for “life experience.” There will be limited exceptions to this rule in the case of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree when this credit has been validated and placed on the transcript by an accredited community college or technical institution.

Transfer Credit
Testing Exemptions
Financial Aid Application Process

Click here to view the Texas Common Course Numbering System web site.  The site is designed to help with the transfer of freshman and sophomore level coursework

Online Texas Common Course Numbering System On-Line Matrix for 2006-2007

International Students

Transfer Curricula & Resolution of Lower Division Course Transfer Disputes

The following procedures (as outlined in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule Chapter 5, Subchapter A, §5.4) shall be followed by public institutions of higher education in the resolving disputes involving transfer of TSC lower division courses.

"If a public institution of higher education does not accept course credit earned by a student at another institution of higher education, that institution shall give written notice to the student and the other institution that transfer of the course credit is denied. The two institutions and the. student shall attempt to resolve the transfer of the course credit in accordance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and / or guidelines."

"If the transfer dispute is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student within 45 days after the date the student received written notice of the denial, the institution that denies the transfer of the course shall notify the Coordinating Board, or his designee, who shall make the final determination about a dispute concerning the transfer of course credit and gave written notice of the determination to the involved student and institutions."

For any further information you may contact:

Transcript Evaluator, (956) 544-3892 or by e-mail at admissions@utb.edu

You must take an approved TSI assessment test prior to enrolling in any Texas public college or university unless you meet the criteria for one of the following exemptions:

ACT:
Composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on each of the mathematics and English tests. Scores cannot be more than five years old.

SAT:
Recentered score of 1070 combined with a minimum of 500 on the mathematics AND verbal tests. Scores cannot be more than five years old.

TAAS:
Minimum scale score of 1770 on the writing and a Texas Learning Index of 89 on the reading test and 86 on the mathematics test. Scores must be on the first attempt. Scores cannot be more than three years old.

TAKS:
Minimum scale score of 2200 on the English with a 3 in the Writing for exemption from Reading and Writing and 2200 on the mathematics test. Scores cannot be more than three years old.

DEGREE:
A student who has graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

PRIOR COURSEWORK
A student who transfers to an institution from a private or independent institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education and who has satisfactorily completed college-level coursework as determined by the receiving institution.

A student who has previously attended any institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.

Level I Certificate Students
A student who is enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less (Level-One certificates, 42 or fewer semester credit hours or the equivalent) at a public junior college, a public technical institute, or a public state college.

US ARMED FORCES RESERVE:
A student who is currently serving, and for at least the three year period preceding enrollment, has served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

US VETERAN:
A student who on or after August 1, 1990 was honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or service as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.

US ACTIVE DUTY:
A student who is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, or the Texas National Guard.

Students must complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for federal and state grant, work-study and loan programs.  These forms are available at the UTB/TSC Financial Aid Office, any college financial aid office or any high school counselors' office.   Students may opt to apply on-line using FAFSA On The Web . Transmitting the application electronically allows the student to instantly verify the data entered and reduces the time needed to process the application at the Central Processing Center.

If you or your family has unusual circumstances (such as loss of employment) that might affect your need for student financial aid, submit the FAFSA, then provide current documentation and a written explanation of the circumstances to a financial aid advisor for review.

In addition to the completing the FAFSA, students must apply for admission to UTB/TSC.  The application form and required documentation must be submitted to the Admissions Office before the financial aid file can be processed.

Within four to six weeks, students will receive either a Student Aid Report (SAR) or a Student Aid Acknowledgement and must review the information for accuracy.  If any changes or corrections are required, the form must be corrected and mailed back to the Central Processing Center.

If UTB/TSC was listed on the SAR, the Financial Aid Office will electronically receive the students' data.  A Financial Aid Advisor will review the application and may need to request additional documentation from the student.  Once the file is completed and cleared, the student will receive an e-mail stating his/her eligibility status and/or award offer.