HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees business and finance committee has voted to approve a flat-rate tuition for undergraduate students.

AL.com reports the committee voted Thursday to charge full-time students for a 15-hour course load regardless of whether they're taking 12 or 18 credit hours.

University President Andrew Hugine says the reasoning behind the proposal is to encourage students to take the maximum amount of credit hours per semester. Business and finance Director Ralph Johnson says students need to take an average of 15 credit hours per semester to graduate within four years.

Students taking 12 credit hours pay $3,591 per semester. If the proposal is approved, students will pay $4,290 per semester.