Program Purpose
The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of an exemption of tuition to eligible children of professional nurse faculty or staff of a public institution in the State of Texas.
NOTE: This webpage is intended to provide basic information for the public by highlighting requirements that appear in the Texas Education Code (TEC) and Texas Administrative Code (TAC). When reviewing eligibility requirements this exemption program, you should always refer to the relevant statutes and rules. The information on this webpage is to be used solely as a resource and does not override the statute or rules for this exemption program. It is not intended as, and does not constitute, legal advice.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this exemption, the student must be the child of a parent who meets one of the two following criteria during the term for which the exemption is requested:
- The parent must hold a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and either be employed at the beginning of the semester or be contracted during all or part of the semester with an undergraduate or graduate professional nursing program serving as a full-time or less than full-time member of the faculty or staff with duties that include: teaching, performing research, serving as an administrator, or performing other professional services other than serving as a teaching assistant.
- The parent must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing, and either be employed at the beginning of the semester or be contracted during all or part of the semester by a professional nursing program as a full-time or less than full-time teaching assistant.
Note: If the parent is employed less than full-time, the value of the exemption is to be prorated in accordance with the parent's employment load. Under no circumstances, however, is the exemption to be for an amount less than 25 percent of the student's tuition.
To be eligible for this exemption, the student must meet the following criteria during the term for which the exemption is requested:
- Be a biological or adopted child 25 years of age or younger at the beginning of the term for which the student is requesting the exemption (stepchildren and foster children are ineligible)
- Be enrolled at the same institution that the student's parent is currently employed or with which the parent has contracted
- Be a resident of Texas
- Not have been granted a baccalaureate degree
- Be registered with Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement
To continue receiving this exemption after initially being awarded, the student must meet the following criteria during the term for which the exemption is requested:
- Meet all program eligibility requirements
- Meet the institution’s financial aid grade point average (GPA) requirement
- Not have attempted an excessive number of semester credit hours as an undergraduate student (see Texas Education Code, Section 54.014)
Note: Each institution is required to adopt a policy to allow an undergraduate student who fails to maintain a GPA or has completed a number of semester credit hours that is considered excessive under Texas Education Code, 54.014 to receive an exemption in another semester or term on a showing of hardship or other good cause (see Texas Administrative Code, 21.219).
Eligible Institutions
All Texas public colleges and universities that offer an undergraduate or graduate program of professional nursing are required to participate in this program.
Award Amount
Exemption from tuition is only for courses in which the institution receives formula funding (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs). Fees are not covered.
Application Process
Step One: Complete the program application.
Step Two: Collect supporting documentation.
- Proof of parental relationship (institutions may require documentation)
- Proof of parental employment
Step Three: Submit application and supporting documentation to the Registrar or other responsible party at your institution.
Additional Information
- Contact your Texas public college or university if you have questions.
- Program statute—Texas Education Code, 54.355
- Program Rules— Coordinating Board Rule, Chapter 21, Subchapter I.
- Contact Us!
