Exemption for Peace Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Apply any timeRenews each year
Free tuition and lab fees for criminal justice or law enforcement courses for employed Texas peace officers in a related undergraduate program.
- How much
- tuition and laboratory fees for criminal justice / law enforcement courses
- Who qualifies
- Peace officer employed by Texas or a Texas political subdivision
- Undergraduate only; SAP; excessive-hours limit.
- For undergrads, adults going back to school
- For criminal justice, law enforcement students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Each term; apply at least one week before the last day of regular registration.
- How to apply
- Apply to your Texas public college with proof you are an employed Texas peace officer at least one week before the last day of regular registration for the term
- What you'll need
- membership
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Exempts tuition and laboratory fees for criminal justice or law enforcement courses (not other courses in the degree) for undergraduates employed as peace officers by Texas or a Texas political subdivision, enrolled in a criminal justice or law-enforcement-related degree or certificate program, and making SAP. Not available beyond the formula-funded hour limit; schools may cap exempt students at 20% of a class.
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.