Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition-savings program for college students in 15 SREB (Southern Regional Education Board) states, who want to pursue degrees not offered by their home state institutions. Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution’s in-state tuition rates.
- Academic Common Market State Contacts
- Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission Academic Common Market
UTC currently has 2 undergraduate programs and 6 graduate programs approved for an out-of-state tuition waiver with 9 states through the Academic Common Market. Below is a table listing each state and the approved UTC programs.
Approved UTC Programs by Level and State*
State | Approved UG Programs | Approved GR Programs |
---|---|---|
Alabama | MS: Athletic Training MS: I-O Psychology DNP: Nurse Anesthesia | |
Arkansas | MS: I-O Psychology | |
Delaware | MS: Engineering Management | |
Kentucky | MS: Environmental Science OTD: Occupational Therapy | |
Louisiana | MS: I-O Psychology | |
Mississippi | BS, Engineering, Environmental Engineering | MS: I-O Psychology |
Oklahoma | DNP: Nurse Anesthesia | |
South Carolina | BM, Music | |
West Virginia | OTD: Occupational Therapy |
*Additional SREB states participating in the Academic Common Market who do not currently have an approved UTC program are Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia. (Note: Florida participates only at the graduate level.)
* Approved states and UTC programs are effective as of April, 2024.
Do you think you qualify?
If you live in an SREB state and are interested in a UTC program not offered in your home state, please contact your state’s Academic Common Market (ACM) Coordinator. The program approval process for the Academic Common Market takes place between your home State Department of Education and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. UTC is not approved to make those decisions. If approved, UTC’s Academic Common Market Coordinator will receive official notification from your home state with your eligible program and effective term date. That notification will initiate the tuition waiver process at UTC and students will then receive notification through the Mocs One Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does the ACM application process take?
For existing ACM programs, allow two to three months for processing after you’ve submitted the entire application. If you are requesting ACM benefits for a new program, please allow four to six months, as processing for new programs can take longer.
- What do I do if I am interested in a UTC program not offered in my home state, but I do not see that program on my state’s list?
Contact your home state’s Academic Common Market Coordinator. Here is the link to SREB’s State Contacts. The approval process happens at the state level between your home state Department of Education and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. UTC’s ACM Coordinator will receive an official approval letter indicating your eligibility. You will then receive communication from the Mocs One Center indicating your approval and the effective term the waiver will be applied.
- If I’m a resident of Florida, North Carolina, or Texas, may I participate?
Florida and Texas participate in the ACM only at the graduate level. Residents of these states must be pursuing graduate studies (master's level or higher) to participate. North Carolina does not participate in the ACM at this time.
- When will ACM status be reflected on my account?
Your bill is generated after you register full-time (12 hours minimum for undergraduates; 9 hours minimum for graduate students.) The bill can be found on your MyMocsNet account. Once we receive your ACM Certification Letter, allow 1-5 days for processing. For questions regarding your bill, please contact the Bursar’s Office.
- Do I have to reapply each year for ACM?
No, certification is a one-time-only procedure provided you are actively pursuing the approved ACM major, remain enrolled full-time in good academic standing, and remain a resident of your certifying state. Every semester you will receive an email confirming the continuation of your participation in the ACM.
- I am re-enrolling and was previously in the ACM. Do I need to do anything to participate again?
You must notify your state ACM Coordinator that you wish to participate again. You will be required to complete the application process again.
- If I change my major to a program that is not ACM approved, will I have to pay back the money I saved during the years I received ACM benefits?
Usually, you are not asked to pay back tuition for the years that you received ACM benefits. However, if you change your major during a semester, you may be charged out-of-state tuition for that semester.
- What if I decide to change my major to a different program that is not approved for my home state? Will I still receive the tuition waiver?
If you change your major to an unapproved program, you will no longer qualify for the ACM out-of-state tuition waiver. You will be notified at the beginning of the semester through an email informing you of your options. You can appeal for in-state residency, request an approval for your new program from your home state ACM Coordinator, or you can pay out-of-state tuition.
- If I change my major to another ACM approved program, will I be granted in-state tuition?
If you change your program, regardless of your current eligibility, you must be recertified by your home state ACM Coordinator to continue to receive the waiver. ACM certifications are only valid for UTC and the specific program and state on the approval form.
- Am I allowed to have more than one major in the ACM?
Possibly. Each home state will make the decision of approving double majors and/or concentrations when one or more are outside the approved list.
- What do I need to do to continue to qualify for the UTC Academic Common Market tuition waiver?
You must remain enrolled full-time (Fall and Spring: 12 hours for undergraduate level and 9 hours for graduate level and Summer: 9 hours for undergraduate level and 5 hours for graduate level) in the program for which you were approved by your home state. You must also remain a resident of the home state that approved your program. The Mocs One Center will review eligibility for each ACM participant each semester. If you no longer meet the continuation requirements you will be notified of your ineligibility and your out-of-state waiver will be removed for that semester.
- I am already enrolled in a UTC ACM approved major for my home state, but I just found out about the waiver. Can I still apply?
Yes. You can apply for participation in the ACM at any time. Certifications are made for the next semester so you will not receive a retroactive tuition reduction.