Exemptions and Waivers

• Benefits-Eligible Medical Services Waiver

Waives the student from payment of the Medical Services Fee. By Board of Regents mandate, appointment must be on or before the 12th class day of the fall or spring semester (4th class day of a summer term) in a position eligible for state benefits as defined in the Texas Civil Statutes and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. See the Medical Services Waiver Form.

• Biomedical Research Program Scholarship Student

Exempts nonresident tuition. Documentation through the Office of International Affairs is required.

• Blind Students

Exempts a student from payment of all tuition and fees, excluding charges for room and board. Certification by the Texas Workforce Commission or the Texas Health and Human Service Commission is required.

• Border County Waiver

Exempts a student from paying nonresident tuition if the student is a resident of a county or parish that is adjacent to Texas (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, or Oklahoma) to enroll in public institutions in Texas while paying a reduced tuition rate, based on the rate charged to Texas students at similar institutions in their state. The college or university must have a reciprocal agreement with a similar institution in the student’s home state to allow Texas residents attending the other state’s institution to pay a reduced tuition rate. Requires registrar verification.

• Children of Disabled or deceased Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers

Exempts a student from payment of tuition and required fees. Certification by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is required.

• Children of Prisoners of War or Persons Missing in Action

Exempts a student from payment of Texas resident tuition and required fees. Certification by the THECB is required.

• Children of Professional Nurse Faculty and Staff

Exempts eligible students from the payment of tuition for up to 10 semesters while pursuing a baccalaureate degree at the same institution at which the qualifying parent is currently employed or under contract as a professional nurse faculty or staff member. See the Children of Professional Nurse Faculty and Staff Form.

• Competitive Scholarship

Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition over and above resident tuition. Student must be awarded a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 for the academic year or summer of their enrollment and be either a nonresident or citizen of a country other than the United States. The student must compete with other students, including Texas residents, and the award must be made through a duly recognized scholarship committee. Certification is sent to the Office of Student Business Services by the Financial Aid Office.

• Deaf Students

Exempts a student from payment of all tuition and fees, excluding charges for room and board. Certification by the Texas Workforce Commission or the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is required.

• Economic Development and Diversification - Employees, Spouses, and Dependents

Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition. The THECB provides a listing of eligible companies. Students must provide employment certification accordingly.

• Employee Tuition Assistance Program

Exempts, by Board of Regents action, an employee from the payment of tuition and fees for up to four semester credit hours for the fall, spring, and summer terms. Please be aware that not all fees assessed are considered mandatory fees, and some may not be covered under this employee benefit. These include malpractice insurance fees, graduation fees, and binding/thesis fees. Eligibility requirements include the following:

• Must maintain a 2.25 minimum cumulative GPA
• Must be a full-time, benefits-eligible employee of Texas Tech Health El Paso, TTU, or the TTU System
• Must be in compliance with Texas Tech Health El Paso and/or TTU operating policies regarding employee enrollment
• Must be seeking a degree certification verifiable by admission status Waivers will be applied for employees attending Texas Tech Health El Paso. Notification should be given to the Office of Student Business Services at the time of enrollment in Texas Tech Health El Paso courses to receive credit on account.
• Faculty Dependent (Nonresident Dependent of a Teacher or Professor)

Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition. Certification by the employing department is required. See the Dependent Waiver Form.

• Faculty Exemption (Teacher or Professor)

Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition. Certification by the employing department is required. See the Faculty Tuition Waiver Form.

• Foster Care

Exempts a student from payment of tuition and fees. Must be a Texas resident. Certification by The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is required.

• Good Neighbor (Students from other Nations of the Western Hemisphere)

Exempts a limited number of students from payment of 100 percent tuition. Certification through the Office of International Affairs is required.

• Graduate Student Fee Assistance Program

Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, or Graduate Part-Time Instructor: Exempts, by action of the TTU System Board of Regents, the student from payment of certain fees. By Board of Regents mandate, appointment must be on or before the 12th class day of the fall or spring semester (4th class day of a summer term) as a benefits-eligible employee with employment of at least one-half time as a TA, RA, or GPTI. See the TA/RA Fee Waiver Form.

• Graduate Student Tuition Exemption

Nonresident State Tuition Exemption - Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant: Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition over and above the state resident rate. By Texas Education Code and Board of Regents mandate, appointment must be on or before the 12th class day of the fall or spring semester (4th class day of a summer term) in a position that meets the definition of the Texas Tech Health El Paso pay plan in work related to the student's degree program. See the TA/RA Tuition Waiver Form.

• Military Personnel and Dependents

Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition. An application must be made through Admissions and Records. Certification by the unit commander or unit personnel officer is required. A separate certification is required, in original form with original signature, for each semester or term of enrollment.

• Nurse Clinical Preceptors and their Children

Exempts all eligible preceptors and their children from payment of up to $500 of tuition per semester for up to 10 semesters while pursuing a baccalaureate degree. See the Clinical Preceptors Form.

• Off-Campus Waiver

Exempts a student from the payment of certain fees for activities, services, or facilities not available to them at their course location. Students enrolled in only web-based instruction may also be eligible for an off-campus waiver. Waiver eligibility is certified by the various academic departments and provided to the Office of Student Business Services for each semester/term. Waivers must be manually entered into a student's account after registration is completed. Students may elect to pay any or all of the waived fees and access the corresponding services by contacting the Office of Student Business Services.

• Prisoner of War

Exempts a student from payment of tuition and required fees. The U.S. Department of Defense must have classified the student as a prisoner of war on or after Jan. 1, 1999.

• Senior Citizens (55 Years of Age and Older)

Exempts a student from payment of up to six semester or term credit hours of resident or nonresident tuition. The student must be 55 years of age or older by the first class day. Notification should be given to the Office of Student Business Services at the time of enrollment.

• Senior Citizens (65 Years of Age and Older)

Exempts a student from payment of up to six semester or term credit hours of resident tuition. The student must be 65 years of age or older by the first class day. Notification should be given to the Office of Student Business Services at the time of enrollment.

• Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant Dependent

Exempts a student from payment of nonresident tuition over and above state resident rate. Certification by the employing department is required. See the Dependent Waiver Form.

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Students

Exempts a student from payment of tuition and fees for the first academic year of enrollment. Certification from the Department of Family and Protective Services is required.

• Registered Nurses Enrolled in Postgraduate Nursing Degree Programs

Waives payment of nonresident tuition for a student who is a registered nurse enrolled in a graduate nursing program offered by Texas Tech Health El Paso. Eligibility requirements include the following: registered nurse status; authorization to practice professional nursing in Texas; enrollment in a program designed to lead to a master’s degree or other higher degree in nursing; intention to teach in a program in Texas designed to prepare students for licensure as registered nurses.

• Valedictorian (Highest Ranking High School Graduate)

Exempts a Texas resident student from payment of 100 percent of tuition during both semesters of the first regular session immediately following his or her graduation from high school. Documentation must be provided to the Office of Student Business Services.

• Veterans and Dependents (Hazelwood)

Exempts a student from payment of tuition and fees, except the Student Services Fee. Requires certification by the Registrar’s Office.

• Veterans and Dependents (Partial Hazelwood)

Certification by the Registrar’s Office is required. The amount exempted will be that amount calculated after the application of federal aid, which the student must exhaust first.

To see the THECB’s description for all exemptions and waivers, click on the links below.

• Exemptions
• Waivers