Tuition and Student Fee Exemptions

Texas currently maintains a variety of programs aimed at exempting tuition, fees, and other expenses related to attending public colleges or universities. These exemption programs are targeted to specific populations that the Texas Legislature has identified as warranting special consideration related to paying for higher education costs.

All exemptions are processed through the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Claims for exemption from any charges must be supported by evidence sufficient to enable the Office of Student Financial Assistance to verify the student's exempt status and determine the duration of the exemption and the charges to which it is applicable.  Each section below refers to information found in the corresponding Texas Education Code (TEC). 

Blind/Deaf (TEC §54.364)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit Yes Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board No
Books No

Children of POWs and MIAs (TEC § 54.343)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees No
Breakage Deposit Yes Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board No
Books No

Dependents of Disabled Firefighters and Police (TEC § 54.351)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees No
Breakage Deposit Yes Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board No
Books No

Hazlewood-Texas Veterans Dependent Children and Spouse of Texas Veterans (TEC § 54.341)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees No
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board No
Books No

Foster Care Children (TEC §54.366)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees No
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board No
Books No

Adopted Students Formerly in Foster or Other Residential Care (TEC §54.367)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board No
Books No

High School Valedictorian (TEC §54.301)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees No
Other Mandatory Fees No Course Specific Lab Fees No
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee No
Parking No Room Board No
Books No

Awarded yearly to the highest-ranking graduate of any accredited high school in Texas. Recipients are exempt from tuition payment for the two long semesters of their freshman year, providing that they attend the same school for both semesters. Eligible students should send or bring their certificate to the Office of Student Financial Assistance prior to registration.


Survivor of Public Servant (Killed in the Line of Duty) (TEC §54.354)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit Yes Testing Fee Yes
Parking Yes Room Board Yes
Books Yes

Senior Citizen (6 SCH Limit) (TEC §54.365)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees No
Other Mandatory Fees No Course Specific Lab Fees No
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee No
Parking No Room Board No
Books No

Nursing Faculty/Staff (TEC §54.355)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees No
Other Mandatory Fees No Course Specific Lab Fees No
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee No
Parking No Room Board No
Books No

Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses (TEC §54.3531)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees No
Other Mandatory Fees No Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee No
Parking No Room Board No
Books No

Peace Officers Disabled in the Line of Duty (TEC §54.352)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees Yes
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee Yes
Parking No Room Board No
Books No

Educational Aide Exemption (TEC §54.363)

Tuition Yes Student Service Fees Yes
Other Mandatory Fees Yes Course Specific Lab Fees No
Breakage Deposit No Testing Fee Yes
Parking No Room Board No
Books No