Office of Financial Aid

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a Texas resident;
• Be registered for the Selective Service or be exempt for this requirement;
• Be employed in some capacity by a public school district in Texas during full term for which the student receives the award;
• Submit FAFSA/TASFA by first class day and show financial need;
• Have been employed by a public school district in TEXAS working full-time in a classroom directly with students in a teaching capacity as an educational aid for at least one school year or a substitute teacher for 180 days of the past five school years preceding the term or semester for which the student is awarded their initial exemption;
• Meet satisfactory academic progress policy (SAPP); and
• Be enrolled in courses required for teacher certification in one or more areas that the Texas Education Agency has determined to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at public schools in Texas in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, 21.1083 (6).

The Educational Aide Exemption Application should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid before the twelve class day of the semester for which you are applying as this programs funding is limited. Please allow at least two weeks for processing. The deadline to submit the application is the last class day of the semester for which you are applying.The Educational Aide Exemption Program, frequently asked questions.

Firefighters Taking Fire Science Courses
The purpose of this exemption is to encourage persons employed as fire fighters or active members of volunteer fire departments to take college courses designed to help them in their work by providing an exemption from tuition and laboratory fees for courses offered as part of a fire science curriculum.
Eligibility Requirements:

• Employed as a paid fire fighter by a political subdivision of the State of Texas or active members of volunteer fire departments who hold an accredited advanced certification (or the equivalent), under the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association of Texas volunteer certification program, OR a Phase V (Firefighter II) certification (or the equivalent) under the Texas Commission of Fire Protection’s voluntary certification program under Section 419.071, Govt Code.
• Enroll in courses offered as part of a Fire Science Curriculum. To access a listing of Fire Science courses, view the Fire Science Programs.
• 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).
• To receive a continuation award, the fire fighter 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 Firefighters Taking Fire Science Courses should be submitted to the University Registrar’s Office by the Census Day of the semester or summer session in which you are applying.
No funds may be used to pay tuition for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support. To receive continuation awards, a firefighter (paid or volunteer) must meet the institution’s financial aid academic progress requirements. The exemption may not be applied to additional tuition charged to an undergraduate student with excess or repeated hours under TEC. 54.014(a) or (f), or the additional tuition charged to a graduate student with excess hours under TEC. 61.059(l)(1) or (2).
To apply to the Firefighters Exemption.

The Good Neighbor Program provides tuition assistance to students from an eligible country, of the Western Hemisphere other than Cuba or the United States. Applicant must have been born in and are a current resident of the nation. Applicant must be fully admitted to TAMIU and meet the Satisfactory Academic  Progress (SAP) policy requirements. Application will be available from January 1st thru March 1st of each year. For more information and/or email scholarships@tamiu.edu.

The purpose of the Mexican Tuition Waiver Program is to permit a small number of individuals with financial need, who are citizens of Mexico, to enroll in any Texas public university and pay the resident tuition rate. Student eligibility for a waiver must be established prior to enrollment.
Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a citizen of Mexico and reside in Mexico;
• Must show financial need; and
• Must attend an eligible Texas public university.

The Mexican Tuition Waiver Application should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as possible. The deadline to submit an application is the first class day of the semester for which you are applying. Please allow at least two weeks for processing.

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.

Senior Citizen Exemption (Up to 6 Hours of Free Tuition per semester.
Senior Citizens, 65 or older, may receive a tuition waiver (it does NOT cover fees charged for the classes) for up to six semester credit hours, per semester, based on availability. Normal admission and registration procedures must be followed and course pre-requisites must be met. To obtain the exemption, inform the Office of the University Registrar in person (ZSC 121) or by email (registrar@tamiu.edu) of your request by the census date for the semester for which you have registered. Effective Fall 2014, Senate Bill 1210 (83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session) added a grade point average requirement for persons to receive continuation awards through the program. The bill also establishes a limit to the total cumulative number of hours that a student may take and continue to receive awards through this exemption. Students must meet the university’s satisfactory academic progress toward a degree and will not be considered for the exemption if hours are in excess.