NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee Board of Regents is taking a look at how students are charged for classes.

Nashville Public Radio (http://bit.ly/1zSv3Tu) reports the board wants to encourage students to take more credit hours without reversing a 2009 decision.

Six years ago, any additional classes past 12 credit hours, or about four classes, were offered free to students. After deciding that wasn't fair to part-time students, the board began charging for the extra classes.

Officials say because of the change, many students have stopped taking more than 12 credit hours per semester. The board's chancellor, John Morgan, says this means they're taking longer to graduate.

In addition, TBR officials have cited research in previous meetings showing that the longer students stay in college, the greater chance that they will drop out.

The board is considering make the fifth class free again, shi fting some of the cost back to part-time students.

Morgan says the proposal is still in early discussions and a decision isn't likely this year.

The Tennessee Board of Regents system includes six universities and the state's community and technical colleges.