Educational Aide Exemption

Program Purpose

To encourage certain educational aides who enroll in college to become certified teachers by providing need based exemptions that cover tuition and fees.  For more information visit the states website: www.collegefortexans.com

Qualifications

To be eligible to apply for this exemption the student must:

1) Be a Texas resident

2) Show financial need which is determined by applying for financial aid (completing the FAFSA) or by providing a copy of the most current income tax return.

AGI limits for summer are as follows:

-single independent student - $28,959 or less.

-married independent student - $57,920 or less.

-dependent student - $57,920 or less including student and family AGI.

The AGI limits for Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 are as follows:

-single independent student - $29,828 or less.

-married independent student - $59,658 or less.

-dependent student - $59,658 or less including student and family AGI.

3) Have worked as an educational aide for at least one school year of the last five years prior to the term or semester for which the student is awarded the exemption OR have worked as a substitute teacher for 180 days in the past five school years prior to the term or semester for which the student is awarded the exemption

4) Be employed in any capacity by a Texas school district during the full term for which the student receives the award

5) Have the intent to teach and obtain teacher certification by being enrolled in courses at the university required for teacher certification.  This means that the student's major must be declared as Education or the student can provide us with a copy of a signed degree plan from your department showing that you’re are seeking teacher certification through the college of education. 

6) Meet satisfactory academic progress as per the financial aid office.  For instance, a student must not be deficient, must not have met the maximum time frame nor can the student be on academic suspension.

Award Amount

The exemption covers the student's tuition and mandatory fees.

Application Process

The student can download the application: Summer 2007 and 2007/2008 The student can also contact the school district for the application or contact the Coordinating Board 1-800-242-3062 extension 6457 for an application.

The student must submit an application for each term they are planning to attend.  The following are the applying periods (beginning and end date) for each term:

                            Spring 2007 Only                    November 1, 2006 through July 1, 2007          

                            Summer 2007                         April 1, 2007 through October 1, 2007        

                            2007-2008 Academic Year     June 1, 2007 through July 1, 2008

                            Fall 2007 Only                         June 1, 2007 through February 1, 2008

                            Spring 2008 Only                    November 1, 2007 through July 1, 2008

The application has three parts to it and should be filled out in the following order:

1) Part I is to be completed by the student applicant.

2) Part II is to be completed by the school or school district authorized officer the student is working for

3) Part III must be completed by the program coordinator at the financial aid office.  The school district or student can forward the application with Parts I & II completed directly to the financial aid office. 

Contact Person at Coordinating Board:

Kathy Ford

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Division of Student Services

P.O. Box 12788

Austin, TX 78711

Phone:  1-800-242-3062 ext. 6457 or 512-427-6457

Fax:  (512) 427-6420