Program Purpose
The purpose of this program is to:
- Provide tuition assistance to students from nations of the Western Hemisphere (other than the United States of America or Cuba)
- Encourage students to pursue higher education in the state of Texas and establish beneficial relationships between the state of Texas and the students’ home countries
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 qualify for this exemption, the applicant must:
- Be a native-born citizen and resident of an eligible country;
- Intend to return to the eligible country to live after completing the program of study;
- Not be a dual citizen of an eligible country and the United States of America;
- Have resided in the Western Hemisphere for at least five years;
- Not be a member of the Communist Party;
- Have met the basic scholastic and other admissions requirements of a participating institution;
- Have filed a selective service statement of registration status and proof of status with their institution;
- Be recommended for the exemption by a participating institution that the applicant currently attends or will attend; and
- Be selected by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for exemption.
If selected for the exemption, the recipient must:
- Meet the institution’s financial aid GPA requirement following each semester or term during the 12-month award period;
- Not have attempted an excessive number of semester credit hours as an undergraduate student (see Texas Education Code, Section 54.014).
Note: A recipient who does not meet the GPA requirement or excessive hour restriction may qualify for a hardship exception; contact your participating institution for more information.
Eligible Institutions
Texas public colleges and universities can choose to participate in the exemption program but are not required.
- Access a comprehensive list of all public institutions of higher education in Texas.
Award Amount
The award exempts an eligible person from the payment of tuition for 12 months beginning with the fall term or semester.
- 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).
- Students may be eligible to reapply for recommendation in subsequent years. Check with your participating institution.
Application Process
Contact the Student Financial Aid Office or the International Student Affairs Office at your institution if you are interested in the program.
- March 15 is the deadline for participating institutions to submit student recommendation forms to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- The student deadline for submitting all information to your institution can vary; check with your institution to confirm specific submission deadlines.
Additional Information
- Contact your Texas public college or university if you have questions.
- Program statute—Texas Education Code, Section 54.331
- Clarifying rules—19 TAC, Ch. 21, Subchapter U: §21.634 - §21.642
- General questions? Call 888-311-8881
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