Tuition Waivers and Exemptions

In addition to established financial aid programs, the state of Texas and Tarrant County College offers a number of opportunities that reduce or eliminate tuition.

Students must submit required documentation to the Admissions and Registrar Office. Tuition must be paid by the established deadline if documentation or approval of an exemption or waiver is pending. Overpayments will be refunded only if documentation and approval are completed by the state-defined Official Day of Record unless otherwise noted. Students should contact the campus Admissions and Registrar Office for additional information. State exemption and waiver program information may be found at Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - Exemptions and Waivers.

Residency Waiver Programs

Waivers allow certain students to pay the in-state (Texas resident) tuition rate even when their classification is nonresident or out-of-county Texas resident.

Active Military and Dependents and Military Veterans: Non-Texan military personnel and/or their dependents stationed in Texas or living in Texas and military and dependents who move to Texas after discharge or retirement may qualify. For veterans, the waiver requires eligibility for federal veterans education benefits.

Certain Non-Citizens: Local waiver authorized by the college. Enrollments under this waiver of nonresident charges are not reported to the state for funding. Proof of residence in the state for the immediate prior 12 months prior to enrollment is required.

Competitive Scholarship Recipients: Available for nonresident or foreign students receiving competitive scholarships of $1,000 or more administered through the Student Financial Aid Services Office.

Economic Diversification: Individuals and their dependents whose family has been transferred to Texas as a part of the state’s economic development plan may qualify.

Owners of Tarrant County Property Residing in Another County: Texas residents, who own Tarrant County property, and their income tax dependents, are eligible to pay the in-county tuition rate upon proving they own and have paid Tarrant County College tax on the property in the most recent tax year. Validation is done using the Tarrant County Appraisal District database, upon request from the student.

Teachers/Professors: Employees of Texas public institutions of higher education and their dependents may qualify for in-state tuition rates prior to reaching 12 months of domicile in the state.

Tuition Exemption Programs

Exemptions cover all tuition and in some cases, fees. The exemption will not cover the cost of digital materials. Students must be eligible for Texas tuition rates. All exemption programs are authorized by the State of Texas, which also dictates their conditions. Most recipients are subject to the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement.

Adopted Students: Certain persons adopted after being under the conservatorship of the state qualify; a letter of eligibility from the Texas Department of Family Protective Services is required. Not subject to SAP requirement.

Blind and/or Deaf Students: Certain blind and/or deaf students may qualify for an exemption from all tuition. Certification of condition and other criteria must be met.

Children or Spouse of Disabled or Deceased Public Servants: Two different exemptions programs exist depending on the servant’s date of injury or death and type of employment. Refer to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - Exemptions and Waivers website or a campus Admissions and Registrar Office for assistance in determining eligibility. May also cover textbook costs.

Children of MIA/POWs: Dependents of MIA/POWs may qualify for an exemption of tuition and fees if they are less than 21 years of age and receive a majority of support from a parent.

Combat Exemption: Dependent children or stepchildren of active duty service members deployed to a combative military operation.

Disabled Peace Officers: Peace Officers permanently disabled in the line of duty and unable to continue employment as a result of disability may qualify for an exemption of tuition and fees.

Educational Aides: Students working in certain paraprofessional positions in Texas public primary and secondary schools may apply; refer to a campus Student Financial Aid Services office for details.

Firefighters: Full-time paid firefighters, along with certain volunteer firefighters, are exempt from payment of tuition and fees for all classes in certain approved programs of study.

Foster Care: Students who were under the care of the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (and not adopted) from age 14-18 may qualify. Not subject to SAP requirements.

Good Neighbor Scholarship: Students from other Western Hemisphere countries (except Cuba) approved for this award by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board qualify. Students should refer to a campus Student Financial Aid Services office for application instructions.

Hazlewood Act: Texas veterans who joined the military from Texas or were Texas residents at the time of enlistment, who served at least 181 days on active duty status (other than for training), and who received an honorable discharge may qualify for tuition waivers of up to 150 credit hours. The spouse/children of Texas veterans killed in action or disabled as a result of military duty may also qualify for Hazlewood Act benefits with no SAP requirement. Veterans eligible for Hazlewood Act benefits can transfer the benefits to their children, one child at a time. The child must be under 25 years of age. This program is directed at the state level by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). More information can be found on the TVC website at https://www.tvc.texas.gov/.

Highest Ranking High School Graduate: Exemption for up to two initial semesters of enrollment. An official final transcript with rank from the student’s public high school is required. Must be used within 2 years of high school graduation.

Nursing Faculty and Nursing Preceptors: Certain nursing faculty and those hospital preceptors participating in nurse training programs may qualify; dollar limits may apply.

Peace Officers: This exemption covers only classes in criminal justice or law enforcement when taken as part of an approved program. Other classes in the program are not covered. A letter verifying employment as a paid peace officer (as defined at College For All Texans) is required. Must apply for the exemption at least one week before the last date of the regular registration period for that semester.

Senior Citizens: Texas resident students age 65 or older may be exempt from payment of all tuition for up to six semester credit hours per term (student can register in credit-bearing or audit status).

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