Frequently Asked Questions

$8,347.00*        Room & Board (9 months, double occupancy, open-access meal plan)

$1,500.00*        Health Insurance (required)

$40.00*             Housing Contract Fee (yearly)

$510.00*           FHSU Application Fee, Registration Fee, Matriculation Fee, & Graduation Fee (all one-time)

$1,000.00*        Personal Expenses (local travel, laundry, groceries, entertainment, phone, etc.)

$28,692.80*     Approximate Subtotal

+ travel expenses (airline flights) to and from Hays, Kansas.

*Note: these are 2020 estimates. Costs are subject to change.

Payments are due on August 15, September 15, October 15, January 15, February 15, and March 15 each year. All bills are issued through each student's TigerTracks account; no paper copy will ever be sent in the mail.

What kind of meal plan is included? 
There are three options for a meal plan. All students are required to choose the open access plan for their first semester, which includes $450 dining dollars per semester. After that time, students can choose the 10-meal plan which includes $500 dining dollars per semester or the 7-meal plan which includes $600 dining dollars per semester.

What will a typical school day look like?
Students will have a regular college schedule. Typically, classes meet on either a Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule. The majority of classes are scheduled between 8:00am and 3:00pm.  Here's a list of classes that most students take. Check out the course schedule on  TigerTracks  to get a sense of class times. While 15-18 hours per week in the classroom may not seem like a lot, please keep in mind that the rule of thumb is that every 1 hour in the classroom will require 2-3 hours of study outside of class.

Will students take regular college courses?
Yes, Academy students are integrated directly into the Fort Hays State University (FHSU) academic community. We believe that having AMS students work alongside traditional college students will benefit both AMS students and the FHSU student body. Other academies like AMS have also found that integrating their academy students in class with regular college students is the most successful model rather than segregating the academy students into their own sections.

Will students be able to do research projects?
Yes! One of the most exciting opportunities that AMS has to offer is the opportunity for students to work with Ph.D. faculty on research projects. Students in AMS are required to conduct a certain level of research prior to the completion of their senior year. Students will be able to work on projects both internally at FHSU and externally.

Will credit earned at AMS be transferable to other universities?
In general, yes. Of course, there are hundreds of universities in the United States and the staff at AMS is unable to determine transferability of credits in advance for every university. Each student will need to work closely with his or her Academic Advisor in determining whether or not credits will transfer to the university they plan on attending to complete their bachelor's degree.

Will students receive an Associate's Degree? 
Students have the opportunity to complete an Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) in Science degree from Fort Hays State University.

What college majors or career paths will attendance at AMS benefit most?
It is our belief that completing AMS will benefit students no matter their desired major or career path. Alumni of AMS have pursued bachelor's degrees in a number of subjects ranging from biology, finance, music, philosophy, engineering, mathematics, education, physics, teaching, and beyond. Many alumni have also attended and earned degrees from a variety of graduate and professional programs, including law school, business school, medical school, pharmacy school, and graduate and doctorate programs in almost every discipline. Alumni from AMS are doctors, lawyers, teachers, musicians, engineers, business professionals, professors, research scientists, and military officers to name only a few.

Where will the AMS students be living?
AMS students live in Custer Hall, a uniquely dedicated residence hall that houses only Academy students on the FHSU campus. AMS students are housed with Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS) students, high-school aged students who are from Kansas. Custer Hall includes space for the Early College Programs main office and also features special security and safety measures, such as locked doors, cameras, and live-in, professional staff members. There are separate wings for male and female students with restricted access to both and shared common areas. Each room is shared by two students.

Will AMS students be supervised?
Yes! Unlike a typical college student, AMS students have many layers of supervision. In addition to the Director of Early College Programs, a number of staff members will supervise the students. There will be a Resident Assistant that lives on each floor with the students and a live-in Hall Director supervising life in Custer Hall during the school year. KAMS/AMS Assistant Directors serve as Academic Advisors to students to help with their academic needs and to ensure that students do not fall behind when placed in this challenging academic environment. The KAMS/AMS Personal Counselor and FHSU's Kelly Center offer help with the typical challenges new college students experience, such as homesickness, stress, anxiety, etc.

What safety precautions are being taken for AMS students?
The safety of AMS students is a top priority for everyone at FHSU. Access to the Custer Hall is limited during the evenings and all day on weekends. Access to the residential floors in the hall are restricted. Access to the separated wings is also restricted. Students have curfews to abide by and are required to check in and out when leaving campus. Additionally, the campus police station is located in the basement of Custer Hall. Cameras are located in each common area and each entrance and exit from the floors and building.

Can AMS students participate in extracurricular activities & sports teams?
AMS understands the integral role of student organizations and activities in student life. Students are able to form their own clubs within the Academy and join FHSU student organizations. FHSU offers over 100 clubs and organizations for students to choose from. AMS students are not permitted to join sororities or fraternities. Regarding sports, AMS students will also be able to participate in the wide variety of FHSU  intramural activities . AMS students will not be permitted to participate in state sanctioned high school athletics. AMS is an approved school so competitions below the regional and state levels are possible in activities such as debate, forensics, etc. National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) regulations do not permit Academy students to join FHSU athletic teams. You may review the 2019-2020 list of competition opportunities and clubs/organizations here .

Can AMS students have a part-time job?
Academics are the top priority at AMS. Due to this priority, students are not allowed to have a part-time job while in residence at AMS unless they maintain the appropriate GPA (this excludes winter and summer breaks). Since students are taking up to an 18 hour/semester college load, this requires significant time both in and outside of the classroom. Students who are approved to work must maintain their 3.0 GPA.

What churches are available for AMS students to attend?
There are many places of worship available in Hays, including: Assembly of God, Baha'i Faith, Baptist, Catholic, Charismatic, Church of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Episcopal, Evangelical, Jehovah's Witness, Lutheran, Mennonite, Messianic, Methodist, Nazarene, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Sabbath, and several non-denominational choices. If you do not see your religious preference listed, please contact us. FHSU and AMS respect and value diversity and will work to accommodate your religious preference. Additionally, there are several campus organizations with a religious focus.

What is the size of the room? Can curtains be hung? What is the size of the windows?
A typical room size is 12 1/2' x 14'. The windows are approximately 10 feet long and include one big panel and two small panels as well as a dark colored blind. Curtains can be hung but the use of nails or drilling is prohibited. You are allowed to buy magnetic rods that attach to the blinds.

What size are the beds? What size sheets do I need?
Custer Hall beds are extra-long twin (80 inches). You will need extra long twin sheets. You have the option of purchasing sheets through FHSU. If you choose this  option, your bedding will be in your room upon arrival. 

What items should I bring?
For a list of suggested items to bring and items not to bring, please click  here.

Reminder: we ask that AMS students not store their belongings in Custer Hall over the summer break. Please plan accordingly!

Am I required to use an international education agency?

As of January 17, 2020, citizens from China and South Korea are required to utilize the services of an established, partnered international education agency. Click here to view a list of agencies we have partnered with to assist students.

What travel options do I have from Hays, Kansas?

Hays is fortunate to have a few different travel options for students. The  Hays Regional Airport provides daily flights to a handful of cities in the U.S. We ask that students in AMS fly in and out of Hays when traveling by air.

The  Greyhound Bus Service also has a station location in Hays and travels to many areas of the U.S.

Hays also provides local taxi and bus services, Uber, and Lyft for students to be transported around town. Students are allowed to bring a vehicle to campus if permission is given from parents or guardians.

Please organize your travel to and from Hays with your Educational Agency and communicate any travel plans with the AMS Office. Airport and bus station dropoffs and pickups by AMS staff are very limited. Please plan accordingly.