State Exemption and Waiver Programs

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides over 40 tuition exemption and waiver programs to students meeting the qualifications. The Bursar's Office credits the student’s account when he or she is eligible for the exemption or waiver.

Tuition Rebates for Certain Undergraduates

Students qualify for the $1,000 rebate if they have attempted no more than three semester credit hours in excess of the minimum number of hours required for their degree. Beginning with students admitted for the first time in fall 2005, a student must also graduate in a timely manner to earn the tuition rebate. According to the most recent revision of the law governing the tuition rebate program, a student who wants to qualify to receive the rebate must graduate within four calendar years for a four-year degree or within five calendar years for a five-year degree “if the degree is in architecture, engineering, or any other program determined by the Board to require more than four years to complete.”

Certain restrictions apply:

Students must have enrolled for the first time in an institution of higher education in the Fall of 1997 semester or later.
Students must be requesting a rebate for work related to a first baccalaureate degree received from a Texas public university.
Students must have attempted all course work in Texas resident status.
Have not yet graduated.

For more information, see the Office of Admissions and Records. Qualified students must apply for the rebate at the time they apply for graduation.

Educational Aide Exemption Program

To apply for an Education Aide Exemption (EAE), you must:

Be a Texas resident;
Have applied for financial aid through the college to be attended, including filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or by qualifying on the basis of adjusted gross income. The institution will determine whether or not the AGI method will be accepted. Effective September 1, 2008, AGI limits are as follows:
- single independent student - 31,021 or less.
- married independent student - 62,044 or less.
- dependent student - 62,044 or less including student and family AGI.
  Effective September 1, 2009, AGI limits are as follows:
  - single independent student - 30,902 or less.
  - married independent student - 61,806 or less.
  - dependent student - 61,806 or less including student and family AGI.
Have been employed as a full-time educational aide for at least one of the past five school years, or as a substitute teacher for 180 days of the past five school years preceding the term or semester for which the student is awarded his or her initial exemption;
Be employed in some capacity by a school district in Texas during the full term for which the student receives the award unless granted a hardship waiver as described in Section 21.1089 of this title (relating to Hardship Provision);
Enroll in courses leading to teacher certification;
Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement and
Meet academic requirements established by the college or university.

Eligibility

The school district where you are employed and the financial aid office at your school determine your eligibility for this program.

Application Process

Complete the admissions and financial aid process at your college, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Download the Educational Aide Exemption application from the UHV Financial Aid Forms website or call the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at (512) 427-6387 (Austin metro) or (800) 242-3062, ext. 6387 (outside Austin) to get a printed application. (Please read the EAE instructions (included as a separate worksheet within the application) before completing the application.)
Complete Part I of the EAE Application and give it to a school or school district official.
The official completes Part II of the EAE application and sends it to the Director of Financial Aid of the college the aide will attend.
The Financial Aid Office completes Part III and forwards the form to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The Board selects recipients and announces awards for the fall term.

For questions, you can email: edaide@thecb.state.tx.us

Hazlewood Exemption

The Hazlewood Exemption is to provide an education benefit to honorably discharged or separated Texas veterans who have exhausted all of their VA Educational Benefits. The criteria is as follows:

Are Texas residents
were Texas residents at the time they entered the U. S. Armed Forces
Have served at least 181 days of active military duty, excluding basic training
Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions
Have used up all his/her federal education benefits available for the semester for which he/she is enrolled (GI/Montgomery Bill)
Are not in default on a federal education loan or a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas; and
Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses.
Beginning Summer 2006, all new applicants must have been citizens of the United States at the time of entry into the military (documentation will be required).

The benefit may not be used for correspondence courses unless the courses are part of the student's degree plan.

Hazlewood applicants must provide the Bursar's Office with a copy of his or her DD-214, letter from the Muskogee, OK Office stating that the student not eligible for any VA Benefits, and the Hazlewood application.

All dues, fees, and charges, including fees for correspondence courses but excluding property deposit fees, student service fees, and any fees or charges for lodging, board, or clothing. No funds may be used to pay tuition for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support.

Hazlewood Exemption forms are available at http://www.collegefortexans.com or on the UHV Financial Aid Forms website.