Exemption from Tuition, Fees, and Charges

The statutes of the State of Texas prescribe certain cases in which students can be exempt from tuition and/or certain fees and charges. The various types of exemptions, the fees and charges to which such exemptions apply, the required documentation, and the appropriate office to submit documentation are described below and can be found at http://collegeforalltexans.com. However, in each case it is the student’s responsibility to initiate the action of applying for an exemption and providing satisfactory evidence that all conditions required for the exemption have been met. Until such time as the exemption is granted, a student will be required to pay all tuition, fees, and charges from his or her own funds.

Students who might be eligible for an exemption should apply for the exemption at least one month before registration for the semester in which they plan to use the exemption provision. (Applications for the Good Neighbor Scholarship are accepted in the Office of Student Financial Aid in January and February before the academic year in which students plan to attend UTSA.) Note that Required Fees and Charges consist of the following: supplementary, laboratory, Student Services Fee, Athletic Fee, Student Union Fee, Medical Services Fee, Recreation Center Fee, Library Resources Fee, University Publication Fee, International Education Fee, Technology Solutions Fee, ID Card Fee, Teaching and Learning Services Fee, Student Data Management Fee, Transportation Fee, Advising Fee, and class-related.

In order to continue to qualify for many of the tuition and/or fee exemptions or waivers, a student must maintain a grade point average for making satisfactory academic progress at UTSA and, if an undergraduate, not complete an excessive number of credit hours (Texas Education Code, Sections 54.2001 and 54.2002).

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exemptions

Valedictorian of an Accredited High School

Who is Eligible

Highest-ranking graduate of an accredited Texas high school.

Requirements

Certification from high school must be provided to the Fiscal Services Office.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition during the first two regular (Fall and Spring) semesters immediately following their graduation. May be granted for any one of the first four regular semesters immediately following their high school graduation with the permission of the UTSA President.

Children of Disabled/Deceased Texas Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers

Who is Eligible

Children under 21 of full-paid or volunteer firefighters; full-paid or volunteer municipal, county, or state peace officers, including a game warden; or custodial officer of the Department of Criminal Justice who died or became disabled in the line of duty.

Requirements

Students must have their eligibility certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition, fees, and charges other than property deposits and fees for lodging. Exemption not to exceed 120 undergraduate credit hours or any semester begun after age 26.

Deaf or Blind Students

Who is Eligible

Texas residents who are deaf or blind.

Requirements

Certification of deafness/blindness from the Texas Commission for the Deaf & Hearing Impaired/Texas Commission for the Blind. The form must be provided to the Fiscal Services Office.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

All tuition, fees, and charges.

Hazlewood Act (Texas ex-servicemen and Children of Texas Veterans)

Who is Eligible

  1. A veteran may qualify for benefits under the Hazlewood Act if she or he:
    • Entered the service at a location in this State, declared this State as the person’s home of record in the manner provided by the applicable military or other service, or would have been determined to be a resident of this State at the time of entry into the armed forces of the United States
    • Was a nurse, member of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, member of the Women’s Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency Service, and all honorably discharged members of the armed forces of the United States who served during World War II except those who were discharged from service because they were over the age of 38 or because of a personal request on the part of the person that he or she be discharged from service
    • Was honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States and who served during the national emergency which began on June 27, 1950, and which is referred to as the Korean War
    • Was honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States after serving on active military duty, excluding training, for more than 180 days and who served a portion of their active duty during:
      1. The Cold War which began on the date of the termination of the national emergency cited above;
      2. The Vietnam era which began on December 21, 1961, and ended on May 7, 1975;
      3. The Grenada and Lebanon era which began on August 24, 1982, and ended on July 31, 1984;
      4. The Panama era which began on December 20, 1989, and ended on January 21, 1990;
      5. The Persian Gulf War which began on August 2, 1990, and ends on the date thereafter prescribed by Presidential proclamation or September 1, 1997, whichever occurs first;
      6. The national emergency by reason of certain terrorist attacks that began on September 11, 2001; or
      7. Any future national emergency declared in accordance with federal law.
    • Received an honorable discharge, a general discharge under honorable conditions, or an honorable release from active duty,
    • Has attempted fewer than 150 credit hours of college courses since the fall of 1995 using the Hazlewood exemption,
    • Has exhausted eligibility for federal veterans’ or survivor’s educational benefits during the semester/term in which they are enrolled,
    • Is not in default on any education loans made or guaranteed by the Federal Government or the State of Texas, and
    • Is enrolled in an eligible program of study. An institution may not grant a Hazlewood Act exemption for continuing education courses for which they do not receive state tax support unless the institution’s board has specifically granted them permission to do so.
  2. The exemptions provided for in Subsection (1) of this section also apply to the spouse or children of members of the armed forces of the United States who:
    • Are or were killed in action,
    • Die or died while in service,
    • Are missing in action,
    • Whose death is documented to be directly caused by illness or injury connected with service in the armed forces of the United States, or
    • Who becomes totally disabled for the purposes of employability as defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs
      Subsection (2) provisions also apply to the spouse or children of members of the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard killed since January 1, 1946, while on active duty either in the service of their state or the United States.
      However, to qualify for this exemption (2), the spouse or child must be classified as a resident on the date of the spouse’s or child’s registration.
  3. A person who becomes eligible for an exemption provided by Subsection (1) may waive any unused portion of their eligibility to their child. To be eligible to receive an exemption under this subsection, the child must:
    • Be classified as a resident when the child enrolls,
    • Make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the policy of the institution’s financial aid department, except for the requirement to enroll in a minimum course load, and,
    • Be 25 years of age or younger on the first day of the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed (a child who suffered from a severe illness or debilitating condition that affected their ability to use the exemption may be granted additional time to use the exemption corresponding to the time the child was unable to use the exemption because of the illness or condition).

Requirements

A student seeking to use the exemption for the first time must:

  • Complete an application in the Financial Aid Office prior to the deadlines posted for each semester at https://cmas.utsa.edu/hazlewood/
  • (For veterans who have served on or after 09/11/2001) submit a letter from the Veterans Administration attesting to her or his exhaustion of federal veterans educational benefits that may be used only for the payment of tuition and fees, and
  • Meet other program requirements as in the past.

A student continuing to use the exemption must:

  • Sign a release form, and
  • Meet other program requirements as in the past.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition, fees, and other required charges other than property deposits, student services fees, and fees for lodging, board, or clothing. The exemption shall not apply to the payment of fees for services or items that are not required for enrollment in general or for the specific courses taken by the student.

No student may use Hazlewood for more than 150 credit hours.

Surviving Spouse and Dependent Children of Certain Deceased Public Servants (employees)

Who is Eligible

Surviving spouse or minor child of certain police, security, or emergency personnel killed in the line of duty.

Requirements

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Be the eligible surviving spouse or child of an individual listed in Government Code, Sec. 615.003
  • Be a full-time student
  • Provide certification from the parent’s workplace to the Fiscal Services Office.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

  • Tuition
  • Required fees and charges
  • Cost of contract for food and housing (if qualified)
  • Cost of textbooks

(Exemptions are valid until the student receives a bachelor’s degree or 200 semester credit hours, whichever occurs first.)

Good Neighbor Scholarship

Who is Eligible

Native-born students from other designated nations of the American hemisphere.

Requirements

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Show evidence of native citizenship and proof of five years of residency in that country,
  • Demonstrate scholastic eligibility,
  • Not be a member of the Communist Party,
  • Be recommended for a scholarship by an eligible institution,
  • Have a valid student visa, and
  • Provide other documentation as required (inquire at the Scholarship Office).

Applications are available only in January and February for the following Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters.

Applications are reviewed and granted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board semester by semester.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition only.

Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses

Who is Eligible

Firefighters enrolled in courses offered as part of the fire science curriculum.

Requirements

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Enroll in one or more courses offered as part of the fire science curriculum,

  • Be employed as a firefighter by a political subdivision of the State of Texas, or

  • Be currently, and has been for at least one year, an active member of an organized volunteer fire department in this State, as defined by the firefighters’ pension commissioner, who holds:

    •  An Accredited Advanced level of certification or equivalent under the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas volunteer certification program, or

    • Phase V (Firefighter II) certification or equivalent, under the Texas Commission on Fire Protection’s voluntary certification program

  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress in accordance with the policy of the institution’s financial aid department, with the exception of:

    • A paid firefighter who used this exemption prior to Fall 2009 and who continues to be enrolled in the same degree or certificate program and continues to be employed as a firefighter by a political subdivision of the State.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition and laboratory fees only for eligible fire science courses (only applies to courses that are specifically related to a degree or certificate program; does not apply to general education core curriculum or courses unrelated to fire science that are included in the degree or certificate program in which a student is enrolled).

Unless the student is a paid firefighter who used this exemption prior to Fall 2009 and who continues to be enrolled in the same degree or certificate program and continues to be employed as a firefighter by a political subdivision of the State, this exemption does not apply to:

Peace Officers Enrolled in Certain Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement Courses

Who is Eligible

Peace Officers

Requirements

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Be an undergraduate student,

  • Provide proof of employment as a peace officer of the State of Texas or political subdivision of the State of Texas on letterhead of their employing agency,

  • Be enrolled in a criminal justice or law enforcement-related program,

  • Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress,

  • Not have exceeded 30 or more semester credit hours beyond that required for completion of their degree program or programs,

  • Apply for the exemption at least one week before the last date of the regular registration period.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has adopted rules governing the granting or denial of this exemption, including rules related to the determination of a student’s eligibility and a uniform listing of degree programs covered by this exemption.

UTSA cannot provide exemptions to students enrolled in a specific class in a number that exceeds 20% of the maximum student enrollment designated for that class.

This exemption is not applicable for continuing education or extension courses for which UTSA does not receive formula funding.

Tuition, Fees and Charges Exempted

Tuition and laboratory fees for eligible criminal justice or law enforcement courses (only applies to courses that are specifically related to a degree or certificate program; does not apply to general education core curriculum or courses unrelated to criminal justice or law enforcement that are included in the degree or certificate program in which a student is enrolled).

Children of Prisoners of War or Persons Missing in Action

Who is Eligible

A child (under 21) or a dependent (under 25) who receives a majority of support from a parent.

Requirements

The parent must be a resident of Texas on active duty and classified by the Department of Defense as a Prisoner of War or Missing in Action at the time of registration. Certification must be provided to the Fiscal Services Office.

Tuition, Fees and Charges Exempted

All tuition, fees, and charges.

Prisoners of War

Who is Eligible

Students who were first classified as a prisoner of war by the United States Department of Defense on or after January 1, 1999.

Requirements

A student must be:

  • A resident of Texas and must have been a resident of Texas at the time of the student’s original entry into the United States armed forces, and

  • Enrolled for at least 12 semester credit hours.

Exemption from payment may not exceed a total of 120 semester credit hours.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

  • Tuition and required fees
  • Lodging and board
  • Costs of books and similar educational materials required for coursework awarded as a scholarship

Students in Foster Care

Who is Eligible

Students who are under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services:

  • On the day preceding the student’s 18th birthday,

  • On or after the day of the student’s 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after that day, or

  • On the day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma, or

  • On the day preceding the date the student is adopted (if on or after September 1, 2009), or

  • On the day preceding the date permanent managing conservatorship of the student is awarded to a person other than the student’s parent (if on or after September 1, 2009).

And enrolls as an undergraduate no later than:

  • The student’s 25th birthday.

Additional Considerations:

  • Applies to all persons under the conservatorship of the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) during an academic term in which the student was enrolled in a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit.

  • Can be used by eligible students while in high school to avoid the tuition and fee costs of dual enrollment courses.

  • The following populations are eligible for the Texas Tuition and Fee Waiver, regardless of whether parental rights are terminated or not:

    • Youth age 14 or older who are in DFPS's permanent managing conservatorship on or after the effective date of this rule and who subsequently exit conservatorship to the legal responsibility of a parent.
    • Youth age 16 or older who are in DFPS's temporary managing conservatorship on or after the effective date of this rule and who subsequently exit conservatorship to the legal responsibility of a parent.

Requirements

Certification from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services must be provided to the Fiscal Services Office. State Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or Adoption Eligibility Assistance staff will give the student a signed college Tuition Fee Waiver letter to provide to UTSA.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

All tuition, fees, and charges.

For assistance in determining your Tuition and Fee Waiver eligibility, please contact the UTSA Foster Care Liaison at 210-458-6958. You may also visit https://www.utsa.edu/fosteringfutures/ for more information.

Adopted Students Formerly in Foster or other Residential Care

Who is Eligible

Certain adopted students.  No age limit to enroll.  To verify eligibility, contact your Regional Adoption Staff or call 1-800-233-3405.

Requirements

To be eligible, a student must have been:

  • Adopted and,
  • The subject of an adoption assistance agreement under Subchapter D, Chapter 162, Family Code.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

All tuition, fees, and charges.

For assistance in determining your Tuition and Fee Waiver eligibility, please contact the UTSA Foster Care Liaison at 210-458-6958. You may also visit https://www.utsa.edu/fosteringfutures/ for more information.

Nursing Preceptors and Dependents

Who is Eligible

Preceptors to professional nursing education programs and their eligible children.

An individual’s eligibility for the program ends when the person has previously received exemptions under this program for 10 semesters or summer sessions at any institution or institutions of higher education or received a baccalaureate degree. For the purposes of this program, a summer session that is less than nine weeks in duration is considered one-half of a summer session.

Requirements

To receive an exemption, the preceptor must be:

  • A resident of Texas
  • A registered nurse
  • Serving under a written preceptor agreement with an undergraduate professional nursing program as a clinical preceptor for students enrolled in the program for the semester or other academic term for which the exemption is sought

To receive an exemption, the child of the preceptor must:

  • Be a Texas resident
  • Have a parent who meets the above criteria

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition, up to $500 per semester.

State Military Forces Receiving Tuition Assistance from the Adjutant General

Who is Eligible

Students who are certified as receiving tuition assistance from the Adjutant General of the State military forces.

Requirements

A student must:

  • Be certified by the Adjutant General of the State military forces as receiving tuition assistance for the semester enrolled.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition and mandatory fees are not to exceed 12 semester credit hours.

If a student is not charged resident tuition, the exemption may not exceed the resident rate.

Children of a Deployed Member of the Armed Forces in Combat Operations Outside the U.S.

Who is Eligible

A dependent child or stepchild of a member of the Armed Forces who is deployed on active duty for the purpose of engaging in a combative military operation outside the United States.

Requirements

To the extent that funds are available for reimbursing institutions for foregone tuition revenues, institutions shall exempt an eligible child from the payment of resident tuition for every semester or academic term (beginning with the 2011 fall semester) for which a child demonstrates that he or she is:

  • A dependent child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is a Texas resident or entitled to pay resident tuition; and
  • A dependent child of a member who is deployed on active duty for the purpose of engaging in a combative military operation outside of the United States.

The student must present proof of deployment on active duty of the parent member of the Armed Forces in a combative military operation.

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Resident tuition only, not to exceed 150 semester credit hours.

Note: This exemption has been suspended but may be reinstated once state funding has been made available.

Wrongfully Convicted Persons

Who is Eligible

A person who served, in whole or in part, a sentence in prison under the laws of this State and has:

  • Received a full pardon on the basis of innocence for the crime for which the person was sentenced, or
  • Been granted relief on the basis of actual innocence of the crime for which the person was sentenced.

A person is not eligible for any part of a prison sentence during which the person was also serving a concurrent sentence for another crime.

Requirements

A student must:

  • First, apply for compensation on or after September 1, 2009
  • Request reimbursement by the seventh anniversary of the date the claimant received a pardon or was granted relief

Tuition, Fees, and Charges Exempted

Tuition and mandatory fees

Note: This program is a reimbursement program from the State of Texas rather than an exemption to be applied by UTSA.