Educational Aide Exemption Program

How Much Is It Worth?

The program from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board exempts eligible students attending public colleges or universities in Texas from the payment of tuition and fees (other than class or laboratory fees) per year of eligibility.

Spring term exemptions are conditional upon meeting program requirements in the fall.

Summer awards are dependent upon the availability of funds. Individuals who receive awards in one year may apply for awards in subsequent years. The maximum award is tuition and fees (other than class or laboratory fees) or the student’s financial need, whichever is less.

This exemption DOES cover remedial or developmental classes.

Who Can Apply?

Individuals may apply who:

• have applied for financial aid through the college to be attended, including filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid through the college to be attended or by qualifying on the basis of adjusted gross income (see Coordinating Board rules),*

• are residents of Texas

• have at least 1 school year experience as an educational aide during the five years preceding the term or semester for which the individual receives the award,

• be a school employee serving in any capacity,

• will be enrolled in courses required for teacher certification at the time they receive the exemption, and

• meet the academic progress requirements of the college’s financial aid office.

How Do You Get An Application?

Contact the school district where the educational aide is employed, the financial aid office of the college the aide will attend, or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at 1-800-242-3062 x6387. Download an application at http://www.collegefortexans.com/paying/edaide.cfm

What Is the Application Process?

1) Complete the admissions and financial aid process for your college, including the filing of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

2) The educational aide completes Part I of the application reflecting the academic year he/she is applying and delivers the form to an official of his/her school or school district.

3) The school (district) official completes Part II of the form and sends it to the Director of Financial Aid of the college the aide will attend.

4) The Financial Aid Office completes Part III and forwards the form to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

5) The Board selects recipients and announces the awards for the fall term.

6) November, the Board sends out rosters to school districts to verify the student’s employment in the Spring term, due back to the Board by December 1.

7) The Board will announce spring awards as soon as verifications from school districts are received.

8) March 1, the Board will announce whether there will be summer awards by sending out revised application packets to school districts, financial aid offices and previous certified aide applicants.

When Must Applications Be Submitted?

Applications must be completed and received by the Coordinating Board before the term the aide is applying for ends.

What is Financial Need?

Financial need is a calculated amount based upon information provided by a student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or their adjusted gross income (see Coordinating Board rules). There is not enough money to give awards to all students who qualify. Preference will be given to applicants with high financial need.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is a student who has defaulted on a loan eligible to receive this exemption?

Yes.

How does an institution determine if a student is taking classes leading to teacher certification?

Major must be declared as education. If attending a community college, there must be a clear

understanding that he or she is going to enroll in a university to get their teacher certification.

When should an institution award the exemption?

As soon as the Institution receives the eligibility letter from the Board or the student.

Are institutions supposed to be the "police officer" for this program, in verifying the aide’s

employment?

No. The person who signs Part II of the application is verifying the aide’s employment and we will take

their word for it. If the institution finds out the aide is no longer employed, then the CB must be notified.

Is there a certain number of hours an aide must be enrolled or employed?

No.

Is the Building Use Fee, which is now considered Tuition at the Universities, covered under this

exemption?

Yes. It has been re designated as Tuition.

When does the one year of experience need to be completed in order for the student to be

eligible?

Before he or she applies for the exemption. Summer is not included.

What if a student is co-enrolled, can he/she receive the exemption at both institutions?

Yes. A separate application must be submitted for each college.

*This also includes school employees serving in any capacity.

Download an application at http://www.collegefortexans.com/paying/edaide.cfm