FAQ Exemption/Waiver Eligibility Requirement

Exemptions and waivers are issued to students who meet specific conditions, as outlined by the State, and may remove all or part of the tuition and fees a student may incur for a specified semester.

Beginning in the fall 2014 semester, after initially qualifying for a mandatory or discretionary exemption/waiver, students must maintain the institution’s requirements for making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward a degree or certificate in accordance with the institution’s policy regarding financial aid. Students who fall behind in their coursework or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average may lose their eligibility to utilize a tuition or fee exemption/waiver.

All exemption and waiver recipients must qualify to use their exemption or waiver for subsequent terms in accordance with Senate Bill 1210, with exception of the following.

• Exemptions/waivers not authorized through TEC Chapter 54, Subchapter D
• Dual credit exemption • Foster care/Protective Service exemption
• Exemption for ex-prisoners of war
• Hazlewood exemption for children or spouses of veterans killed in action, missing in action, or who died as a result of a service-related illness or injury.
  • NOTE: SB1210 restrictions DO apply to veterans and spouses/children of disabled veterans
• Waivers that allow nonresidents to pay the resident rate.

• Must meet overall GPA requirements (2.0 – undergraduate, 3.0 – graduate)
• Must not have attempted more than 30 hours over the number required by the degree plan.

Eligibility requirements and Academic Progress will be reviewed at the close of each term. If a student is able to improve his/her GPA, thus complying with SAP requirements, he/she may be qualified to utilize an exemption/waiver for the upcoming term. However, students who have exceeded excess credit hour requirements will not be qualified to utilize an exemption/waiver in any future semester.

Students who fail to maintain SAP-GPA requirements due to a mitigating circumstance (e.g. medical reasons, death in the family, etc.) may submit a written appeal with supportive documentation after they have received official notification of denial. Appeals will be evaluated as soon as possible. Any student who has been denied the use of an exemption or waiver due to deficient SAP must be prepared to pay registration costs regardless of any pending appeal status.

Please complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form  and submit it along with any supporting documentation to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Inquiries can be directed to the Student Accounting Office at 713-221-8139 or via email to [email protected]