Tuition and Fee Exemptions and Waivers

Texas provides various programs that exempt or waive tuition, fees, and other expenses related to attending public colleges and universities. All exemption and waiver programs are authorized by the Texas Legislature and target specific populations.

  • Exemptions allow special groups of Texas residents or nonresidents to enroll and pay a reduced amount of tuition or fees.
  • Waivers allow special groups of nonresidents to enroll and pay the Texas resident tuition or fee rate.

All exemption and waiver programs require a student to meet certain eligibility criteria. In addition to meeting the program criteria, a student’s continued eligibility may be impacted by Senate Bill 1210 (Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 54.2001). This section applies an excess hours’ limitation for undergraduate students and Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for both undergraduate and graduate students for exemption and waiver programs authorized under TEC, Section 54, Subchapter D.

All exemptions follow the state’s definition for determining Texas resident status. Please review TEC 54.052 for the state’s definition. Texas resident definitions and requirements have been updated to align with the federal ruling on Civil No. 7:25-cv-00055. In which a student must be lawfully present in the United States to receive financial aid.

Claims for exemption from any charges and/or fees must be supported by evidence sufficient to enable the Office of Financial Aid (or other responsible department) to verify the student’s status and determine the duration of the exemption or waiver and the fees and charges to which it is applicable. Eligible students are responsible for payment of tuition and fees not covered under the exemption or waiver.

You may visit My TX Future to view specific Exemption and Waiver information. Please note: When visiting My TX Future you may see additional exemptions and waivers that may not be available at this time at Tarleton State University. If you have questions about Tarleton State University Tuition and Fee Exemptions and Waivers, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@tarleton.edu or (254) 968-9070.

Tarleton State University Exemptions and Waivers

TEC Citation: The citation for the exemption or waiver in the Texas Education Code.

SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Texas State Senate Bill 1210 requires students to receive continuing awards of most exemptions and some waivers. Unless the exemption or waiver is exempt from SB 1210, the student must meet the University’s financial aid GPA minimum for  Satisfactory Academic Progress  and must not have excess credit hours at the beginning of the semester to continue to receive an exemption or waiver.

Selective Service: TEC Sec. 51.9095 requires that students comply with selective service registration to receive financial assistance from the state. You are required to submit a form about your Selective Service registration status. You will not be able to receive your waiver and/or exemption until this has been completed. If you need to register for Selective Service, this can be done at https://www.sss.gov/register/.

Blind or Deaf Students Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Texas resident
    • Vision-related or hearing disability
    • Certification from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
  •  TEC Citation: 54.364
  •  What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees
  •  SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  •  Apply:  You will request the exemption and submit documentation from TWC or HHS at StudentForms.

Children of Disabled Firefighters/Law Enforcement Officers Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Children of a disabled firefighter, peace officer, or game warden who volunteered or was employed in the state of Texas
    • Children of a disabled custodial officer whom the Texas Department of Criminal Justice employed
    • Children of a deceased firefighter, peace officer, or game warden who volunteered or was employed in the state of Texas
    • Children of a deceased custodial officer who was employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
    • Eligible parent died before September 1, 2000
    • Certification from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
  •  TEC Citation: 54.351
  •  What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees
  •  SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  •  Apply: Complete the application process found at The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will review the submitted documentation and send you an Eligibility Determination Letter via email. You will request the exemption and upload your Eligibility Determination Letter at StudentForms.

Children of Professional Nurse Faculty and Staff Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Texas Resident
    • Be a biological or adopted child 25 years of age or younger at the beginning of the term for which the student is requesting the exemption (stepchildren and foster children are ineligible)
    • Be enrolled at the same institution that the student’s parent is currently employed or with which the parent has contracted
    • Certification from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
  •  TEC Citation: 54.355
  •  What is Exempted: Tuition Only
  •  SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  •  Apply: Complete the exemption application and provide supporting documentation at StudentForms.

Children of POWs and MIAs Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Texas resident
    • Are 21 years of age or younger, or 25 years of age or younger and receiving most of his/her support from a parent
    • Certification from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
  •  TEC Citation: 54.343
  •  What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees
  •  SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Complete the exemption application and provide supporting documentation from the Department of Defense at StudentForms.

Clinical Nursing Preceptors and their Children Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Parent is a registered nurse
    • Parent serves under a written preceptor agreement with an undergraduate professional nursing program as a clinical preceptor for students enrolled in the program
    • Student must be a first-time undergraduate student
    • Certification from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or Texas Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • TEC Citation: 54.356
  • What is Exempted: $500 or actual tuition, whichever is less (other limitations apply)
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Complete the exemption application and provide supporting documentation at StudentForms.

College Faculty and Their Dependents Waiver

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Students who are non-resident faculty who are employed at least half-time on a regular monthly basis by any Texas public college or university
    • Students who are non-resident dependent children or spouses of faculty who are employed at least half-time on a regular monthly basis by any Texas public college or university
  • TEC Citation: 54.211
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Yes
  • Apply: You will need to contact Admissions each semester and provide an updated letter from HR indicating employment meeting the eligibility requirements. If the qualifying teacher or professor works at an institution of higher education other than Tarleton State University, present the completed form and a letter from the employing institution

Competitive Scholarship Waiver

  • Eligibility Requirement: 
    • Receive competitive Tarleton State University scholarship of at least $1000
  • TEC Citation: 54.213
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Yes
  • Apply: Complete the general scholarship application annually at www.tarleton.edu/scholarships. If selected for a competitive scholarship, the waiver is automatically added to your awards and billing statement.

Educational Aide Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Texas resident
    • Be employed in some capacity by a public school district in Texas during the full term for which the student receives the award unless granted a hardship
    • Show financial need
    • Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements
    • Be enrolled in courses required for teacher certification in one or more areas that the Texas Education Agency has determined to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at public schools in Texas in accordance with TAC Section 21.1083 (6).
    • Have been employed by a public school district in Texas working full time, in a classroom directly with the students, in a teaching capacity as:
      • An educational aide for at least one school year of the past five school years preceding the term or semester for which the student is awarded their initial exemption, or
      • A substitute teacher for 180 days of the past five school years preceding the term or semester for which the student is awarded their initial exemption.
  •  TEC Citation: 54.363
  •  What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees
  •  SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  •  Apply:  You will request the exemption and submit documentation from current employer at StudentForms.

Education Benefits for Certain Survivors of Individuals in Public Servant Positions Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Are a surviving spouse or a surviving minor child of certain public employees who died in the performance of his/her duty on or after September 1, 2000
  • TEC Citation: 54.354
  • What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees, Housing and Meal Plan
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  • Apply: 
    • Tuition and Required Fees: Complete exemption application and provide supporting documentation at StudentForms.

Ex-Prisoners of War Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Texas resident
    • Texas resident at the time of original entry into the United States armed forces
    • Was first classified as a prisoner of war by the United States Department of Defense on or after January 1, 1999
    • Is enrolled for at least 12 semester credit hours
  • TEC Citation: 54.342
  • What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees up to 120 hours
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Yes
  • Apply: Complete exemption application and provide supporting documentation from the Department of Defense at StudentForms.

Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Enroll in the BAAS, BS, or Master of Public Administration degree
    • Employment as a paid firefighter or
    • Active membership for at least one year in an eligible volunteer fire department
    • Refer to THECB for full eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.353
  • What is Exempted: Tuition and lab fees for courses offered as part of a fire science curriculum
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Complete exemption application and provide supporting employment documentation at StudentForms.

Hazlewood Dependents, Spouse, and Veteran Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirement:
    • Texas resident
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.341
  • What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Follow the steps located on theOffice of Veteran Services website to apply for the Hazlewood Exemption.

Highest Ranking High School Graduate Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Texas residents, nonresidents, or foreign students
    • Graduate from an accredited high school in the State of Texas
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.301
  • What is Exempted: Tuition only for the first two semesters (fall/spring) following graduation
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Complete exemption application and provide Highest Ranking Graduate Certificate from your high school at StudentForms.

Military in Texas Waiver

  • Eligibility Requirements: To be completed by students (and/or spouse and dependents) who are serving as active duty in Texas and are non-residents of the State of Texas.
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.241
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Yes
  • Apply:
    • Military personnel stationed out of state, please complete the Military Intent to Establish Residence form and submit to Undergraduate Admissions.
      • The Office of Undergraduate Admissions must verify months of eligibility with Tarleton State’s Office of Veteran Services, so it is important the student contact the Office of Veteran Services to complete the benefit verification process when using this form.
    • The appropriate form must be completed each semester prior to the 12th class day for the tuition waiver to be applied.

National Laboratory Waiver

  • Eligibility Requirement: A student employed by a national laboratory, or a dependent of an employee of a national laboratory, is eligible for a non-resident tuition waiver. This will allow the student to pay the resident or in-state rate. The Texas A&M University System currently only has this agreement with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory.
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.369
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: N/A
  • Apply: You will need to provide a letter of employment each semester from the Los Alamos National Laboratory or Sandia National Laboratory. This letter needs to be submitted to Admissions.

Peace Officers and Firefighters Disabled in the Line of Duty Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Texas resident who has resided in Texas for at least 12 months immediately preceding the semester for which the exemption is sought 
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.352
  • What is Exempted: Required Tuition and Fees
  • SB120 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Complete exemption application and provide employer certification letter at StudentForms.

Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Enroll in BS or BAAS in Criminal Justice
    • Be a peace officer employed by the state of Texas or by a political subdivision of the state of Texas
    • The institution may not provide exemptions through the Peace Officer Exemption program to more than 20% of the maximum enrollment for that class
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.3531
  • What is Exempted: Required Tuition and Lab Fees for courses directly related to law enforcement or criminal justice
  • SB120 Exempt: No
  • Apply: Please visit the Criminal Justice department website for eligibility criteria and the application for this program

Senior Citizen 65+ For 6 Hours Free Tuition Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Texas residents, nonresidents, or foreign students
    • Enroll in a class that is not already filled with students who are paying full price for the course (if the class is too small to accommodate both regular students and senior citizen exemptions, regular students must be given priority)
    • Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its cost)
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.365(c)
  • What is Exempted: Tuition Only up to 6 hours per semester
  • SB120 Exempt: No
  • Apply: You will request the exemption at StudentForms.

Teaching and Research Assistants Waiver

  • Eligibility Requirements: 
    • Be admitted into the College of Graduate Studies
    • Employed at least 50% effort in a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship
    • Enroll and complete at least 6 graduate credit hours in fall/spring semesters and 3 over the entire summer semester
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.212
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Yes
  • Apply: After you have secured a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship, the College of Graduate Studies will apply your waiver to your billing statement

Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan (Texas Tomorrow Fund)

  • Eligibility Requirement: Students using their Texas Tomorrow Fund to pay the semester’s tuition and fees are eligible for a non-resident tuition waiver. This will allow the student to pay the resident or in-state rate.
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.621 (c)
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: N/A
  • Apply: Present copy of Texas Tomorrow Fund ID card along with the request for waiver of non-resident tuition. Questions can be directed to the Business Office at businessofc@tareton.edu or 254-968-9107.

Texas Tuition Promise Fund

  • Eligibility Requirement: Students using their Texas Tuition Promise funds to pay the semester’s tuition and fees are eligible for a non-resident tuition waiver. This will allow the student to pay the resident or in-state rate.
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  • TEC Citation: 54.753
  • What is Exempted: Non-resident Tuition
  • SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: N/A
  • Apply: Students must authorize their TTPF funds on the TTPF website. Questions can be directed to the Business Office at businessofc@tareton.edu or 254-968-9107.

Tuition Exemptions Related to Individuals Currently or Formerly in Foster Care in Texas Exemption

  • Eligibility Requirements:
    • Must have Form 1810: DFPS Verification of the State College Tuition and Fee Waiver from either DFPS Adoption Eligibility staff or Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff
    • Refer to THECB for full eligibility requirements
    • Refer to THECB for eligibility requirements
  •  TEC Citation: 54.367
  •  What is Exempted: Tuition and Required Fees
  •  SB 1210/TEC 54.2001 Exempt: Yes
  •  Apply: You will request the exemption and submit Form 1810: DFPS Verification of the State College Tuition and Fee Waiver at StudentForms.

Submission Procedures

With few exceptions, as noted in the “Apply” column under each exemption or waiver, most forms and documentation should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.

  1. For exemptions processed through the Office of Financial Aid, request the applicable exemption through StudentForms.
  2. Your account information must match what is on your Free Application for Federal Student aid (FAFSA)* 
  3. Select “Manage Requests” 
  4. Select the exemption type that you qualify to receive under the applicable academic year
    1. If the exemption you are attempting to apply for is not located in the StudentForms portal, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9070.
  5. Fill out the required form(s) and provide any requested documentation

Note: If you have never submitted a FAFSA to Tarleton State University, you will need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to add your account to the StudentForms portal in order to request an exemption. You may contact our office at 254-968-9070.