Frequently Asked Questions
SREB's Academic Common Market
and
Academic Common Market/Electronic Campus Programs

What is the Academic Common Market?
The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for college students in the 16 SREB member states who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions. Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program, and pay only the in-state tuition rates. Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs are available for residents of SREB states. You can easily search programs available for your homes state by clicking Search for Programs.

• The ACM program is not competitive or merit-based, but applicants must meet state residency and college program requirements.
• The ACM eliminates unnecessary duplication of academic programs among participating states, recognizing that it is impractical for any institution or single state to develop or maintain degree programs in every field of knowledge;
• Supports existing degree programs that have the capacity to serve additional students;
• Provides access across state lines for programs not available in a student's home state
• First professional degree programs, such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry are not offered in the ACM and cannot be requested.
• Some institutions and states may impose additional acceptance requirements such as full-time enrollment status.

How can I find out if my program of study is eligible?
You can check the list of eligible programs or send an email to acm-rcp@sreb.org.

Who can participate?
Students who are legal residents of an SREB state are eligible to participate. You must be admitted to the eligible degree program as well as being certified by your home state as noted above.

Which states participate?
All 16 SREB states participate. However, some states limit participation to certain degree levels (e.g. only graduate programs) and there may be other restrictions. The SREB states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Which colleges and universities participate?
Many, but not all, public colleges in the SREB states. A complete list is available at http://www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.aspx.

Are all degree programs at participating institutions available in the ACM?
No, participating colleges select the programs of study they wish to make available to other states. A number of factors determine whether a program is made available including capacity and demand for the program. However, institutions will sometimes add a new program to the ACM upon request from a participating state. Contact your state ACM Coordinator to initiate an inquiry on your behalf. First professional degree programs, such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry are not offered in the ACM, they are offered through the Regional Contract Program.

Do available programs change?
Yes, participating institutions review the programs they are offering each year and may add or remove programs. States review and add or drop programs annually as well.

The degree program I want to pursue is not available in my home state but is in another SREB state, but I don't see it listed in the ACM. Can it be?
If you are interested in a degree program that is not available in your state but is in another SREB state, you should contact your state coordinator to inquire about whether it can be made available. Use the following link to get your state coordinator's information.

Are distance learning degree programs offered in the ACM?
Yes, through a relatively new SREB program called the Academic Common Market/Electronic Campus  program, students now have the opportunity to pursue eligible degree programs via distance or e-learning and not have to leave their home state, work, and other commitments. The same eligibility requirements apply to the ACM/EC as the ACM.

Are there any other restrictions?
Yes, restrictions can be set at the discretion of participating colleges and universities or the participating states. Check with your state ACM Coordinator if you are uncertain about a program.

How do I apply?
Contact your state ACM Coordinator for the specific requirements of your state. You will be asked to provide verification of your state residency and verification of your acceptance to the eligible degree program at the participating institution when your application is complete.

What is the deadline to apply?
You may submit your ACM application at any time, but each college sets its own policy for payment of tuition deadlines. Students not certified for the ACM by the institution's deadline may have to wait until the next academic term to receive out-of-state fee tuition.

Do I re-apply each year for certification?
No, as long as you remain in the same program of study at the same college or university, you do not need to re-apply.

Will my ACM participation affect my financial aid?
Reducing your tuition costs by not requiring you to pay out-of-state tuition rates can decrease your eligibility for need-based aid. However, your ACM tuition savings may be greater than the need-based aid you are awarded. Your tuition savings will depend on which college you attend, their tuition rates, fees, etc.

I just learned that I am enrolled in an eligible ACM program and have been paying out-of-state tuition rates. Can I apply for the ACM benefit? Can I get a refund of the out-of-state tuition I have already paid?
Yes and No. Yes, you can and should immediately contact your home state ACM coordinator, get certified for participation, and begin receiving the tuition benefit in the next semester. For any previous semester or even the current semester, you are not eligible for a refund.

Where can I get more information about the academic program I am interested in that is listed in the ACM?
Visit the participating college or university through Electronic Campus' “College Tours” where general information about the institution is available including admissions requirements, costs, credit transfer, institutional financial aid, and various deadlines. You can also contact the academic college or department for more information.