Source: http://www.sfasu.edu/controller/businessoffice/students/waivers-exemptions.asp
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 04:27:43+00:00

Document:
Listed below are the exemptions and waivers that are processed through Stephen F. Austin State University (the university). Since the language used in the specific legislation uses the words exemption and waiver interchangeably, the university has made the following distinction in the document below. The term "exemption" is used when students are not charged the tuition and/or fees to which the exemption applies. "Waiver" is defined as the reduction of non-resident tuition rates to resident rates.
Students are responsible for applying for the exemption and/or waiver and ensuring the exemption and/or waiver has been applied towards his/her tuition and fees for the current semester. All exemptions and waivers must be processed and entered onto the student's account by the 20th class day during the fall and spring semesters, 15th class day during the summer semesters and 4th class day during Maymester (except Hazlewood Exemption).
Students are responsible for payment of tuition and fees not covered under the exemption and/or waiver, and are subject to late payment penalties and late registration charges if tuition and fees are not paid.
Students must be enrolled in all courses for each semester by the census date (12th class day during the fall and spring semesters, 4th class day during the summer semesters and 2nd class day during Maymester) for the exemption and/or waiver to apply. If a student withdraws from the university prior to the census date, the student is no longer eligible to receive the exemption or waiver, and any exemptions or waivers will be removed from a student's account. This may result in a balance due the university.
Adopted Students Formerly in Foster or Other Residential Care: Texas Education Code § 54.367.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition and mandatory fees.
Were in foster or other residential care.
Were the subject of an adoption assistance agreement under Subchapter D, Chapter 162, Texas Family Code.
Declare a program of study at the time he/she applies for the exemption.
Provide certification from the Texas Workforce Solutions (formerly DARS) of status as a blind person or a deaf person.
CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS: If on the completion of any semester or term a person fails to meet the GPA requirements described in the university's policy regarding eligibility for financial aid or has reached the excessive hour rule limits, the person may not receive the exemption or waiver for the next semester or term in which the person enrolls.
Or apply in person at the SFA Business Office, Austin Building Room A204.
Certain Survivors of Deceased Public Servants: Texas Education Code § 54.354.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition, mandatory fees and textbooks. If the student is eligible to live in university housing, the university will also provide the student room and board OR (if no housing is available) provide the student a room and board stipend equal to the amount he/she could have received if living on campus.
ELIGIBILITY: The public employee must have died in the performance of his/her duty on or after September 1, 2000 and student is a surviving spouse or a surviving minor child of the deceased public employee, and enrolled full-time at a Texas public college or university.
Children of Disabled or Deceased Firemen, Peace Officers, Game Wardens, and Employees of Correctional Institutions: Texas Education Code § 54.351.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition and mandatory fees for the first 120 undergraduate semester credit hours.
Apply before the person's 21st birthday or, if the person is eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under § 29.003, age 22.
Had a parent who was a paid or volunteer fireman, paid municipal, county, or state peace officer, or a custodial employee of the Texas Department of Corrections, or a game warden.
Is the child of a parent who suffered an injury, resulting in disability or death, sustained in the line of duty.
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).
A person may receive an exemption from the payment of tuition and fees only for the first 120 undergraduate semester credit hours for which he or she registers or age 26, whichever comes first.
In the case of a disability, a physician’s statement that certifies the disability must be submitted along with the prior employer’s certification letter.
Children of Prisoners of War or Persons Missing in Action: Texas Education Code § 54.343.
Are 21 years of age or younger, or 25 years of age or younger and receiving most of his/her support from a parent.
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.
Children of Professional Nursing Program Faculty: Texas Education Code § 54.355.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition only for 10 semesters - fees are not covered.
During all or part of the semester or other academic term for which an exemption is sought: (i) holds a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, and has contracted with an undergraduate or graduate professional nursing program in this state to serve as a full-time member of its faculty or staff with duties that include teaching, performing research, serving as an administrator, or performing other professional services other than serving as a teaching assistant, or (ii) holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing and has contracted with a professional nursing program offered by the institution to serve as a full-time teaching assistant.
Distance Learning or Off-Campus Courses: Texas Education Code § 54.218.
ELIGIBILITY: Prior to Fall 2017, students who only take online courses (i.e., students taking any on-campus, hybrid, and/or off-campus courses are not eligible). Effective Fall 2017, students who only take online courses or off-campus courses or a combination of both (i.e., students taking any on-campus and/or hybrid classes are not eligible).
Prior to Fall 2017, students enrolled in summer study abroad programs that last longer than four weeks. Effective Fall 2017, students enrolled in study abroad programs of any length, if the students are exclusively off-campus.
HOW TO APPLY: Exemption will be automatically applied to eligible students.
Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses: Texas Education Code § 54.353.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition and laboratory fees.
Employed as a paid fire fighter by a political subdivision of the State of Texas or active member of a volunteer fire department and holds 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 § 419.071, Gov't Code.
Enroll in courses offered as part of a Fire Science Curriculum.
Good Neighbor Scholarship Program (STUDENTS FROM OTHER NATIONS OF THE AMERICAN HEMISPHERE): Texas Education Code § 54.331.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition for the 12-month period beginning with the fall semester following the student's selection as a recipient.
Students who are non-residents from an eligible country.
Have been born in and are current residents of a nation of the Western hemisphere other than Cuba or the United States.
CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS ACADEMIC YEAR: If on the completion of any semester or term a person fails to meet the GPA requirements described in the university's policy regarding eligibility for financial aid or has reached the excessive hour rule limits, the person may not receive the exemption or waiver for the next semester or term in which the person enrolls.
Members of State Military Forces: Texas Education Code § 54.345.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition and mandatory fees up to 12 credit hours.
Are undergraduate or graduate students.
The student should contact the unit commander of his/her National Guard, Air Guard or State Guard unit or the Education Officer, State Adjutant General's Office, PO Box 5218/AGTX-PAE, Austin TX 78763-5218 or at 512-782-5515 or send an e-mail to education.office@tx.ngb.army.mil. The Education Office will provide instructions.
Participants in Military Funerals (Taps Performers): Texas Education Code § 54.344.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: $25 exemption from tuition and fees.
ELIGIBILITY: Students in grades 6 through 12 or at postsecondary educational institutions who sound "Taps" on a bugle, trumpet, or cornet during military honors funerals held in Texas for deceased veterans.
Peace Officers Enrolled in Certain Courses: Texas Education Code § 54.3531.
Employed as a Peace Officer by the state of Texas or by a political subdivision of Texas.
Enroll in classes beginning fall 2011 or later.
Make 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 § 61.0595 (a) (30 hours beyond the degree requirement).
Preceptor for Professional Nursing Education Program or Their Children: Texas Education Code § 54.356.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: The preceptor may receive up to $500 or actual tuition, whichever is less, as long as he/she meets program requirements. The child of a preceptor may receive $500 or actual tuition charges, whichever is less, for up to 10 semesters or until the student receives his/her bachelor's degree. Summer terms of less than nine weeks count as one half a regular semester.
ELIGIBILITY: To receive an award through the Exemption Program for Children of Professional Nursing Faculty and Staff, a student shall: (1) be a resident of Texas, (2) not have been granted a baccalaureate degree, (3) be enrolled at an institution that offers an undergraduate or graduate program of professional nursing, (4) be the child of an individual who at the beginning of the semester or other academic term for which an exemption is sought: (i) holds a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, and is employed full-time by a undergraduate or graduate professional nursing program offered by the institution that the child is attending and is employed as a member of the faculty or staff with duties that include teaching, performing research, serving as an administrator, or performing other professional services other than serving as a teaching assistant, or (ii) holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing and is employed by a professional nursing program offered by the institution as a full-time teaching assistant, or during all or part of the semester or other academic term for which an exemption is sought: (i) holds a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, and has contracted with an undergraduate or graduate professional nursing program in this state to serve as a full-time member of its faculty or staff with duties that include teaching, performing research, serving as an administrator, or performing other professional services other than serving as a teaching assistant, or (ii) holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing and has contracted with a professional nursing program offered by the institution to serve as a full-time teaching assistant (5) be enrolled at the same institution of higher education at which the student's parent is currently employed or with which the parent has contracted, either as a professional nursing faculty or staff member, (6) register for the Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement.
Senior Citizens, 65 or older: Texas Education Code § 54.365(c).
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition up to 6 credit hours, provided space is available.
Texas residents, non-residents or foreign students.
Students Enrolled in Dual Credit Courses during High School: Texas Education Code § 54.216.
Tuition and fees: Students will be assessed a dual credit fee of $50 per credit hour. Students taking online courses will also pay the distance education fee of $33 per credit hour and the course fees. Private instruction fees will be paid by students. The exemption is not available for summer courses.
The student has at least junior year high school standing, with exceptions to this requirement for students with demonstrated outstanding academic performance and capability (as evidenced by GPA and PSAT/NMSQT scores).
Enrolled in a dual credit program at a public college or university.
Enrolled in courses for which the student will receive both course credit toward high school academic requirements and course credit toward a college degree.
Students under Conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (Foster Care): Texas Education Code § 54.366.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and mandatory fees for which the college receives tax support, including tuition and mandatory fees charged by an institution of higher education for a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit.
On the day preceding the student's 18th birthday.
Enrolls in an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student or in a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit not later than the student's 25th birthday.
Texas Veterans (Hazlewood Exemption): Texas Education Code § 54.341.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition and mandatory fees (not including Student Services Fee).
At the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, designated Texas as Home of Record; or entered the service in Texas; or was a Texas resident.
Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Served at least 181 days of active duty service (excluding training).
Have no federal veteran's education benefits, or have no federal veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31; Pell and SEOG are not relevant) for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits.
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 cost), unless the college's governing board has ruled to let Veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses.
Eligible Veterans may assign unused hours up to 150 hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain conditions.
Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year.
*If a child to whom hours have been delegated fails to use all of the assigned hours, a Veteran may re-assign the unused hours that are available to another child. Only one child can use the Hazlewood Act at a time.
The Hazlewood Act is also extended to spouses and dependent children of eligible active duty, Texas National Guard, and Air National Guard Veterans who died in the line of duty or as a result of injury or illness directly related to military service, are missing in action, or who became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of a service-related injury or illness. Each child and spouse will receive a 150 semester credit hour exemption.
Note: A child of a qualified Veteran who is not 100% disabled or has a service connected death may qualify for benefits under the Hazlewood Legacy Program.
Be a spouse of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, was a Texas resident, designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas.
Be a spouse of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or Texas Air National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of a service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual un-employability due to a service connected injury or illness.
Be a child of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, was a Texas resident, designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas.
Be a child of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or Texas Air National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of a service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (IU) due to a service connected injury or illness.
CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS: If on the completion of any semester or term a person fails to meet the GPA requirements described in the university's policy regarding eligibility for financial aid or has reached the excessive hour rule limits, the person may not receive the exemption or waiver for the next semester or term in which the person enrolls. The continuation requirements do not apply to the child or spouse of a veteran who was killed in action, who died while in service, is missing in action, or whose death is documented to be directly caused by illness or injury connected with service in the armed forces of the U.S.
Application Process: Veterans or Legacy recipients (spouse or dependent) using Hazlewood for the first time at SFA, must complete the Hazlewood Application form. For each subsequent term, the Veterans or Legacy recipients (spouse or dependent) must complete the Hazlewood Worksheet for Subsequent Terms available at: http://www.tvc.texas.gov/additional-documents-.aspx.
Please review the list of required documents listed on the first page of the Hazlewood application. These items are to be submitted along with the application to the address below.
Hazlewood Application go to http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx.
Valedictorian (Highest Ranking High School Graduate): Texas Education Code § 54.301.
EXEMPTION APPLIES TO: Tuition only for first two semesters (fall/spring) following graduation.
Texas residents, non-residents, or foreign students.
Graduate with the highest ranking in their high school.
Competitive Scholarship Waiver: Texas Education Code § 54.213.
ELIGIBILITY: Non-resident or foreign students receiving a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 (or a combination of scholarships totaling at least $1,000). Students must have competed with other students, including Texas residents, for the award. The student may receive a waiver of non-resident tuition for the period of time covered by the scholarship, not to exceed 12 months. Waivers may be received in any year in which the student meets the competitive scholarship requirements.
HOW TO APPLY: Via mySFA. Complete Scholarship Application. If applicable, waiver will apply automatically.
Economic Development and Diversification Waiver: Texas Education Code § 54.222.
WAIVER APPLIES TO: Non-Resident Tuition (Student will pay resident tuition).
A non-resident person (including a Citizen, a permanent resident of the U.S., a person who is eligible to be a permanent resident of the U.S., and an eligible non-immigrant) whose family has been transferred to Texas by a company established as part of the state's Economic Development and Diversification Program not earlier than five years before the relevant enrollment date, and a person's spouse and children shall pay resident tuition as soon as they move to Texas, if the person provides the institution with a letter of intent to establish Texas as his or her home.
A person who moves to Texas to attend an institution before his or her family is transferred is permitted to pay the resident tuition beginning with the first semester or term after the family moves to the state.
Faculty and Dependents Waiver: Texas Education Code § 54.211.
ELIGIBILITY: Students who are non-resident faculty or who are the non-resident, dependent children or spouse of faculty who are employed at least half-time on a regular monthly salary basis by any Texas public college or university. Faculty and their dependents are not required to enroll at the same institution listed as the employing institution in order to receive this waiver.
Are Foreign Service officers employed by the U.S. Department of State.
Are enrolled in a public institution of higher education in Texas.
Non-immigrant aliens are not eligible for this program as they would not be serving as Foreign Service officers for the United States.
Graduate Research Assistants or Graduate Teaching Assistants: Texas Education Code § 54.212.
Individuals who are teaching or research assistants, their spouses, or children.
The teaching or research assistant must be employed at least half time by a public institution of higher education in Texas in a position related to his/her degree program under the rules and regulations established by the employer institution.
HOW TO APPLY: Contact Academic Department for available positions and complete SFASU employment application.
Military Personnel and Dependents: Texas Education Code § 54.241.
ELIGIBILITY: Individuals who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces or Commissioned Officers of the Public Health Service from states other than Texas, their spouses and/or children. Although non-residents, the member, spouse and children may pay the resident rate while stationed in Texas.
For the non-resident spouse or child that resides in Texas of a military personnel stationed outside of Texas, complete form § 54.241 (g).
NATO Agreement Member and Families: Texas Education Code § 54.232.
ELIGIBILITY: Individuals who are members of a family in Texas in accordance with the agreement between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Non-resident Tuition Rates at Certain Universities: (Border States) Texas Education Code § 54.0601.
WAIVER APPLIES TO: Non-Resident Tuition (Student will pay resident tuition plus $30 per semester credit hour).
ELIGIBILITY: Students who are residents of neighboring states (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma) enrolled in a Texas public university located within 100 miles of the Texas border. The institution must have been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer the lowered tuition rate.

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