Highest Ranking High School Graduate Exemption
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Apply any time
Free tuition for the first year (two semesters) at a Texas public college for the valedictorian of each accredited Texas high school -- optional for colleges.
- How much
- tuition (not fees) for two semesters of the first year
- Who qualifies
- Highest-ranking graduate of an accredited Texas high school; open to residents, nonresidents and foreign students per THECB; college must choose to offer it (discretionary).
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- When to apply
- Apply any time First regular session after high school graduation (exceptions up to four sessions later).
- How to apply
- Get the Highest Ranking Graduate certificate from your high school (forms issued by TEA around the end of April) and give a copy to the registrar of the Texas public college you'll attend
- What you'll need
- school nomination + transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Texas public colleges may exempt the highest-ranking graduate of each accredited Texas high school from tuition for both semesters of the first regular session after graduation (fees not covered). The college president may allow it in any of the first four regular sessions after graduation in special cases such as military service.
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
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.