Hazelwood Act for Veterans

This program is available to Texas veterans honorably discharged who have depleted their Chapter 31 G.I. Bill Benefits and are eligible to receive financial assistance to cover most tuition and fee expenses.This program is available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. An application and proper documentation must be on file before a student's account can be credited. If you are interested in applying or need more information not available here, contact our office for more information.

<Click here to download Hazelwood Act Application>

Veteran's Rehabilitation Program

This program is available to military veterans. For more information, contact the UTPA Veteran's Affairs Office at (956) 381-2280.

Texas Rehabilitation Commission Program

This program provides financial assistance to students who qualify. Students interested in more information can contact the Texas Rehabilitation Commission at 1-800-410-7760.

Early High School Graduation Program

This exemption program provides a $1,000 exemption from the payment of tuition. It cannot pay for fees or pay for remedial courses. Students may be able to qualify if they completed the requirements of high school graduation (grades 9-12) in no more than 36 continuous months (3 years); the student must have attended a public high school in Texas only and be a Texas resident for this program.

To qualify for this program the student's high school should send to the Coordinating Board a certification letter confirming the student's eligibility for early graduation. After the Coordinating Board receives the letter of certification, a letter certifying the student's eligibility for the exemption will be sent to the appropriate university. A copy of the letter will also be sent to the student and to the student's high school counselor.

Foster Care Program

Exemption of tuition and fees for persons who were in foster care or other residential care with the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services on or after the day preceding their 18th birthday; the day of the student's 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after that day; or the day the student graduated from high school or received GED. In order to take advantage of this exemption the student must enroll as an undergraduate no later than three years of the earliest of the following dates: after receiving a high school diploma or GED, or being discharged from foster care, or the student's 21st birthday. Student must provide the Student Financial Services proof of having been in foster care.

TANF/AFDC Exemption Program

To be eligible under this program, a student must be a dependent child on TANF/AFDC for at least six (6) months of their senior year of high school. Student must also be a Texas resident and have attended high school in Texas only.

A student eligible for this program will be exempt from tuition and fees for one year after their high school graduation. This is an entitlement for eligible students. The student must enroll in a college/university as an undergraduate no later than 24 months from date of high school graduation.

To qualify for this exemption, the student must acquire a letter (Form 1065E) from the Texas Department of Human Services indicating the student received TANF/AFDC benefits. The letter must be turned in to the Student Financial Services Office.

Children of Disabled Firemen and Peace Officers Program

Tuition and some fees are exempted for any student whose parent is an eligible employee and suffered an injury resulting in death or disability sustained in the line of duty.

Eligible employees must be full paid or volunteer firemen, full paid municipal county or state peace officers, custodial employees of the Texas Department of Corrections, or game wardens, who have a child under 21 years of age.

In order to apply for this exemption the student must submit a letter of certification to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Coordinating Board will then send a letter certifying the student's eligibility to the appropriate university.

Valedictorian Tuition Waiver

Valedictorians of each accredited Texas high school are exempted from tuition during the first two regular semesters following high school graduation.

In order to qualify for this exemption, the student should submit a copy of their certificate, to the Student Financial Services Office, confirming that the student was the highest ranking student of his/her high school.

Educational Aide Exemption Program

This program exempts eligible students attending public colleges or universities in Texas from the payment of tuition and fees (other than class or lab fees). 

To qualify, a student must:

• Have 1 school year of educational aide experience during the five years preceding term of award or have been a substitute teacher with at least 180 days service during the past five years
• Be a school employee serving in any capacity and currently working in a Texas public school
• Be enrolled in classes leading to teacher certification
• Show financial need, be a Texas resident and meet the academic progress requirements of the Student Financial Services Office.
  

In order to determine the student's financial need, a student must either apply for financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the college to be attended or by submitting a current income tax return. Applications for the Educational Aide Exemption program are available through the school district, university and college financial aid offices, or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at 1-800-242-3062 extension 6457.

At UTPA, eligible students for the exemption are awarded after the 12th class day of the fall and spring semester and after the 4th class day of each summer session.

Fifth Year Accounting Student Scholarship

The Fifth Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program was established to recognize and support outstanding scholars who plan to pursue careers in accounting and serve as CPA’s in the state of Texas.

The program can provide up to $3,000 (lifetime maximum) to eligible students to assist with the cost of completing the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in Texas.

Individuals may apply who:

• Show financial need (financial aid file must be complete to determine need);
• Are enrolled at least half-time;
• Are Accounting majors;
• Have completed at least 120 credit hours (including at least 15 hrs. of accounting);
• Are making satisfactory academic progress according to the Student Financial Services Office;
• Have at least a 2.5 gpa; and
• Are willing to sign a written statement confirming your intent to take the uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Texas for the purpose of becoming a CPA.

Applications are available in mid June at the Student Financial Services Office.  Funding is limited, so only complete and eligible applications will be considered.

Professional Nursing Scholarship Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to students who are planning on becoming Professional Nurses. No individual award may be for more than the student’s financial need. The maximum award is $3,000.  Some, but not all funds are targeted to students from rural communities. Some are targeted to graduate students in nursing.

To apply, a student must:

• Show financial need (financial aid file must be complete to determine need)
• Register for the Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement
• Enroll in classes leading to Licensure as a Professional Nurse
• Enroll on at least a ˝-time basis
• Be a Texas Resident

Applications are available in mid April in the Student Financial Services Office or the Department of Nursing.  Only complete applications will be considered.

Texas National Guard Tuition Assistance Program

The purpose of the program is to provide an exemption from the payment of tuition to eligible individuals in the Texas National Guard, Texas Air Guard, or the State Guard attending public or private institutions of higher education in Texas.

Individuals may receive tuition assistance for up to 12 semester hours, but it will not exceed 12 semester hours per individual for any given semester.  Funding does not cover fees.

To apply individuals must:

• Be Texas residents;
• Register for the Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement; and
• Be an active, drilling member of the Texas National Guard, Texas Air Guard or the State Guard

Students eligible for the exemption will be reimbursed after the 12th class day of the semester.

Students interested in applying must contact the unit commander of his/her National Guard, Air Guard or State Guard unit or the Education Officer, State Adjutant General’s Office, PO Box 5218/AGTX-PAE, Austin TX 78763-5218 or at 512-465-5001. The Education Office will provide instructions.  You can also visit the Texas National Guard web site at http://www.agd.state.tx.us/education_office/state_tuition.htm

Senior Citizen Waiver

Senior citizens may be exempted from payment of tuition for up to 6 credit hours per term on a space-available basis.  A senior citizen is defined as a student 65 years of age or older.  For more information, contact the Student Financial Services Office.

For additional information on any of these programs you may contact the UTPA Student Financial Services Office at (956)381-2935 or visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website at http://www.collegefortexans.com/