Peace Officer Tuition Exemption

Program Overview

To encourage persons employed as peace officers to take college courses that can support their careers, the State of Texas provides assistance with tuition and laboratory fees for courses offered as part of a law enforcement-related or criminal justice curriculum.

At Tarleton State University, the exemption is available for qualifying undergraduate courses that have a CRIJ prefix and apply to the requirements of an eligible criminal justice degree.

Covered Charges

Students will receive a bill for university fees and any other charges that are not covered by the exemption. Failure to pay those charges by the applicable payment deadline may result in cancellation of course registration.

View Tarleton State University tuition and fee information

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all applicable state and university requirements before the exemption can be approved.

• Be employed as a paid peace officer by the State of Texas or by a political subdivision of Texas.
• Provide the Department of Criminal Justice with current proof of employment as a paid peace officer.
• Submit new proof of employment during every semester in which the exemption will be used.
• Have an eligible criminal justice degree plan on file with the Office of the Registrar.
• Enroll in qualifying undergraduate criminal justice courses that apply to the major requirements of the degree.
• Complete and submit the exemption application before the specified deadline.
• Submit a new application during every semester in which the exemption is requested.
• Meet Tarleton State University’s financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• Maintain a financial aid grade point average of at least 2.0 to remain eligible for a continuation award.

Financial aid GPA calculations may include grades earned in developmental courses.

The employment verification letter must be written by a supervisor and submitted on official organizational letterhead via email.

Application Process

After admission to Tarleton State University, complete the following steps for each semester in which you wish to request the exemption.

1. Confirm Your Degree Plan

Verify that an eligible criminal justice degree plan is on file with the Office of the Registrar.

2. Enroll in Eligible Courses

Register for qualifying undergraduate CRIJ courses that apply to the requirements of your criminal justice degree.

3. Obtain Proof of Employment

Obtain current documentation confirming your paid employment as an eligible Texas peace officer. The verification letter must be written by a supervisor and submitted on official organizational letterhead.

4. Complete the Exemption Application

Submit the Peace Officer Tuition Exemption Form no later than one week before the applicable class begins.

5. Submit All Required Documentation

Ensure that the BAAS Coordinator in the Department of Criminal Justice receives your complete application and current proof of employment before the deadline.

6. Review Your Student Account

Pay or make appropriate arrangements for all tuition, fees and other charges that are not covered by the exemption.

Application Deadline

Applications submitted after the deadline may not be processed. Students must submit a new application during every semester in which they wish to receive the exemption.

Failure to apply for a particular semester means that the exemption will not be processed for that semester.

Important Conditions

• Only eligible undergraduate courses that apply to the major requirements of a criminal justice degree qualify.
• Only eligible courses with a CRIJ prefix are available for the exemption.
• The exemption does not apply to general education core curriculum courses.
• The exemption covers tuition and eligible laboratory fees only.
• Students remain responsible for university fees and any other tuition or charges not covered by the exemption.
• Exemption availability is subject to the statutory 20% enrollment limitation for each course.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee exemption approval, course availability or financial assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the exemption cover all university tuition and fees?

No. The exemption applies only to eligible tuition and laboratory fees. Students are responsible for required university fees and any additional charges that are not covered.

Which courses qualify for the exemption?

Only qualifying undergraduate courses with a CRIJ prefix that apply to the major requirements of an eligible criminal justice degree may qualify.

Does the exemption apply to general education courses?

No. Courses that are part of the general education core curriculum do not qualify for the peace officer tuition exemption.

Can graduate students use the exemption?

No. The exemption is limited to qualifying undergraduate criminal justice courses.

Do I need to apply every semester?

Yes. A new application and current proof of paid peace officer employment must be submitted during every semester in which the exemption is requested.

What documentation can I use as proof of employment?

The employment verification letter must be written by a supervisor and submitted on official organizational letterhead via email to the CJ BAAS Coordinator.

What happens when a course reaches its exemption capacity?

The number of exemptions in a course may not exceed 20% of the course’s maximum enrollment. The department will make a reasonable effort to identify another required course with available exemption capacity, but an alternative cannot be guaranteed.

Does submitting the application guarantee approval?

No. The form is a request for consideration only. Approval depends on eligibility, complete documentation, timely submission and exemption availability in the requested courses.

Additional Information

Additional eligibility information is available through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s College for All Texans resources.

Visit College for All Texans

The statutory authority for the exemption is provided in Section 54.3531 of the Texas Education Code.

Review Texas Education Code §54.3531