Exemption for Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses
The purpose of this exemption is to encourage persons employed as peace officers to take college courses designed to help them in their work by providing an exemption from tuition and laboratory fees for criminal justice or law enforcement courses.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Employed as a Peace Officer by the state of Texas or by a political subdivision of Texas
- Enrolled as an undergraduate in an undergraduate program, including certificate, associate and baccalaureate degrees leading to a law enforcement-related or criminal justice certificate or degree. To access a list of Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Programs identified by each college or university.
- Enroll in classes beginning fall 2011 or later
- Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs)
- Making satisfactory academic progress toward the student’s degree as determined by the institution
- Apply for the exemption at least one week before the last date of the institution’s regular registration period for the applicable semester or other term
- Have not previously attempted a number of semester credit hours for courses taken at any Texas public institution of higher education while classified as a resident student for tuition purposes in excess of the maximum number specified in TEC Section 61.0595 (a) (30 hours beyond the degree requirement).
- To receive a continuation award, the police officer must meet the institution’s financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.
- New Requirements Fall, 2014: Senate Bill 1210 (83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session) adds a Grade Point Average requirement for persons to receive continuation awards through the program. The Bill also establishes a Limit to the Total Number of Hours, cumulative, that a student may take and continue to receive awards through this program. These changes go into effect in fall, 2014.
The Exemption for Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses should be submitted to the University Registrar’s Office at least one week before the last date of regular registration for the semester in which you are applying.
Courses not directly related to law enforcement or criminal justice are not eligible for reimbursement even though they may be required for completion of the certificate or degree. No funds may be used to pay tuition for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support.
To apply to the Peace Officers Exemption.