Exemptions
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers various exemptions approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These exemptions provide financial assistance that does not require repayment, though each program has specific eligibility criteria. For more details, please visit here.
The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
The student is always responsible for paying the 'Student Service Fee' and any other fees not covered by Hazlewood by the payment deadline for the applicable term.
For more information please visit: Hazlewood Act | UTRGV or the Texas Veterans Commission website at Hazlewood Act ⋆ Texas Education Benefit ⋆ Texas Veterans Commission
The purpose of this program is to encourage foster youth currently or formerly under the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and those adopted from DFPS to pursue higher education in Texas by providing eligible students with free tuition at state-supported colleges or universities.
Application Process:
- Student requests a tuition exemption approval letter (Form 1810) from DFPS staff.
- DFPS staff issues Form 1810 to the student by mail or email, confirming the student’s program eligibility.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Eligible student submits Form 1810 to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student does not have to reapply each academic year.)
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Foster/Adoption Exemption
The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of a tuition and fee exemption to eligible students with vision-related disabilities (such as blindness or significant visual impairment) and those with hearing disabilities, to encourage them to pursue higher education in Texas.
Application Process:
- Submission of confirmed certification from TWC or HHS of status as a blind or deaf person.
- A vision-related disability as determined eligible by Vocational Rehabilitation Services Offices through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
- A hearing disability as determined eligible by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).
- A written statement of purpose indicating which certificate, degree program, or professional enhancement is being pursued.
- Provide a character reference letter from a third party (such as your employer, a professor, teacher, counselor, or advisor) who can serve as a reference.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student does not have to reapply each academic year.)
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Vision/Hearing Disability Exemption
The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance in the form of an exemption of only tuition to eligible children of professional nurse faculty or staff of a public institution in the State of Texas.
The student is always responsible for paying any other fees not covered by the tuition exemption by the payment deadline for the applicable term.
Application Process:
- Student completes the program application found at Financial Aid Forms | UTRGV
- Student birth certificate
- Proof of employment must be provided on an official agency letterhead, issued by the Human Resources office, and dated within 30 days of the term's start date.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Must be an undergraduate student or attending only undergraduate courses.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student must reapply each academic semester.)
- Submissions MUST be submitted and reviewed prior to Census date of applicable term.
Discontinuation of Eligibility:
A recipient's eligibility ends when one of the following criteria is met:
- Exemption received for a total of 10 semesters/terms or summer sessions. Summer sessions are considered one term.
- Bachelor’s degree received.
- Enrolled in undergraduate hours considered to be excessive.
- Texas Education Code § 54.014establishes a maximum number of semester credit hours an undergraduate student may attempt while paying Texas resident tuition. A student who exceeds the maximum hours is no longer eligible for the exemption as an undergraduate student.
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Children of Professional Nursing Program Faculty & Staff Exemption
The purpose of this program is to encourage senior citizens to pursue continued education and remain engaged with local colleges and universities. The program provides an exemption for tuition only for up to six (6) credit hours of courses offered at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley each semester, and a total of six (6) credit hours during the summer.
The student is always responsible for paying any other fees not covered by the tuition exemption by the payment deadline for the applicable term.
Application Process:
- Student completes the program application found at Financial Aid Forms | UTRGV
- Students Driver’s License
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student does not have to reapply each academic year.)
- Note: Exemption will only cover a maximum of 6 credit hours for students enrolled in Summer Sessions.
- Scenario 1: 3 credit hours in Summer I and 3 credit hours in Summer II — Total: 6 credit hours
- Scenario 2: 6 credit hours in Summer I and 0 credit hours in Summer II — Total: 6 credit hours
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Senior Citizens Exemption
The purpose of this program is to provide an exemption from tuition and laboratory fees to eligible individuals who are employed as firefighters by a political subdivision of the State of Texas or are active members of an eligible organized volunteer fire department within the state. The exemption applies only to tuition and laboratory fees for courses required for the completion of a degree in Public Affairs, Disaster Studies, or a Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management and Sustainability.
The student is always responsible for paying any other fees not covered by the tuition exemption by the payment deadline for the applicable term.
Application Process:
- Student completes the program application found at Financial Aid Forms | UTRGV
- Proof of employment must be provided on an official agency letterhead, issued by the Human Resources office, and dated within 30 days of the term's start date.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student must reapply each academic semester.)
- Submissions MUST be submitted and reviewed prior to Census date of applicable term.
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Firefighters Exemption
The purpose of this program is to provide an exemption from the payment of tuition and laboratory fees to eligible peace officers employed in the State of Texas who are enrolled in designated undergraduate criminal justice or law enforcement courses.
The student is always responsible for paying any other fees not covered by the tuition exemption by the payment deadline for the applicable term.
Application Process:
- Student completes the program application found at Financial Aid Forms | UTRGV
- Proof of employment must be provided on an official agency letterhead, issued by the Human Resources office, and dated within 30 days of the term's start date.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Must be an undergraduate student or attending only undergraduate courses. Tuition exemption is available only for Criminal Justice courses.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student must reapply each academic semester.)
- Submissions MUST be submitted and reviewed prior to Census date of applicable term.
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Peace Officers Exemption
The purpose of this program is to provide an exemption from tuition and fees to any person whose parent was an eligible firefighter or law enforcement officer who sustained a line-of-duty injury resulting in death or disability, as defined by the regulations and criteria in effect at the time of the incident for the applicable department or agency.
Application Process:
- Submission of a letter of determination from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) confirming that the student has satisfied the eligibility requirements for the tuition exemption program.
- Be under the age of 26 at the start of the semester or term.
- Must be an undergraduate student or attending only undergraduate courses.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student does not have to reapply each academic year.)
Discontinuation of Eligibility:
A recipient's eligibility ends when one of the following criteria is met:
- The student has attempted 120 hours of course credit while receiving the exemption.
- Bachelor’s degree received.
- Has turned 26 years old at the start of the term or semester.
- Enrolled in undergraduate hours considered to be excessive.
- Texas Education Code § 54.014establishes a maximum number of semester credit hours an undergraduate student may attempt while paying Texas resident tuition. A student who exceeds the maximum hours is no longer eligible for the exemption as an undergraduate student.
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Children of Disabled/Deceased Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers Exemption
The purpose of this program is to provide higher education benefits to the spouse and children of individuals serving in designated public servant positions who were killed in the line of duty on or after September 1, 2000.
Application Process:
- Student must submit official documentation from the deceased public servant’s employer verifying that the death occurred in the line of duty. This letter should be issued on agency letterhead.
- Must provide death certificate of public servant.
- Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester.
- Must be an undergraduate student or attending only undergraduate courses.
- All male students must be registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
- Eligible student submits documentation to the Financial Aid Office by visiting U Central or via email at Hazlewood@utrgv.edu.
- UTRGV verifies each semester that the student remains eligible. (Student does not have to reapply each academic year.)
Discontinuation of Eligibility:
A recipient's eligibility ends when one of the following criteria is met:
- The student has attempted 200 hours of course credit while receiving the exemption.
- Bachelor’s degree received.
- Enrolled in undergraduate hours considered to be excessive.
- Texas Education Code § 54.014establishes a maximum number of semester credit hours an undergraduate student may attempt while paying Texas resident tuition. A student who exceeds the maximum hours is no longer eligible for the exemption as an undergraduate student.
For eligibility requirements please visit: HHLoans - Certain Survivors of Individuals in Specific Public Servant Positions Exemptions