Education Benefits for Certain Survivors of Public Servants Killed in the Line of Duty
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Free tuition, fees, textbooks, and on-campus room and board (or an equivalent stipend) until a bachelor's degree or 200 hours, for spouses and children of Texas public servants killed in the line of duty.
- How much
- tuition, fees, textbooks, and campus food & housing (or monthly equivalent) until a bachelor's degree or 200 credit hours
- Who qualifies
- Surviving spouse or child (under 25 at time of death) of a Texas public servant listed in Gov't Code 615.003 killed in the line of duty on/after Sept 1, 2000
- Must enroll full-time. Institution's GPA and excessive-hours rules apply for continuation.
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No time limit to apply; claimed each term.
- How to apply
- Contact the registrar, admissions or financial aid office at your Texas public college
- It tells you what documentation to submit
- Questions: 888-311-8881
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
For the surviving spouse, or a child under 25 on the date of death, of an individual listed in Texas Government Code 615.003 (e.g., peace officers, firefighters and other specified public servants) killed in the line of duty on or after Sept 1, 2000. Full-time undergraduates at Texas public colleges are exempt from tuition and fees, get textbooks paid, and get the cost of campus food and housing paid (or a monthly equivalent if no campus housing is available) until a bachelor's degree or 200 credit hours.
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.