Exemption for Children of Disabled or Deceased Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
All dues, fees and charges waived for the first 120 undergraduate credit hours for children of Texas firefighters, peace officers, game wardens or TDCJ custodial officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
- How much
- all tuition, dues, fees and charges (excluding deposits, room, board, clothing) for up to 120 undergraduate credit hours
- Who qualifies
- Child of a Texas paid/volunteer firefighter, peace officer, game warden or TDCJ custodial officer who died or was disabled in the line of duty
- Undergraduate only; under 26 at start of term; institution's financial aid GPA and excessive-hours rules apply.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- When to apply
- Apply any time Must initially apply before age 21 (22 with special-ed eligibility); claimed each term thereafter.
- How to apply
- Parent's employer sends a certification letter (plus physician certificate if disabled) to THECB
- THECB issues an Eligibility Determination Letter, which must be on file at your Texas public college
- Apply before age 21
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Exempts the student from all dues, fees and charges (not deposits, lodging, board or clothing) at Texas public colleges for the first 120 undergraduate credit hours. Parent must have been a paid or volunteer firefighter, municipal/county/state peace officer (incl. game warden) or TDCJ custodial officer injured in the line of duty resulting in death or disability (disability certified by an SSA-designated physician). Student must apply before age 21 (22 if eligible for special education), meet entrance requirements, stay in good standing, and can't use it for terms beginning after age 26. If the parent died on or after Sept 1, 2000, see also the Education Benefits for Certain Survivors program.
More money from Texas
- Dell Scholars Program$20,000 flexible scholarship + laptop, book credits, emergency funds, teletherapy
- TEXAS Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success)up to $5,399 per semester (2026-27 max; up to $16,197/yr with summer); target $2,500 per semester
- Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)up to $2,134/semester (community colleges), $3,896/semester (technical institutes), $1,840/semester (state colleges) in 2026-27
- Texas First Scholarship$10,798 (graduate 2+ semesters early) or $5,399 (less than 2 semesters early), 2026-27
- Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)up to $4,270 per year; up to $6,405 per year for undergraduates with exceptional need (2026-27)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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