Tuition Waivers and Exemptions

There are ways to pay for college in addition to obtaining financial aid. Check the information below for programs that may apply to you.

Tuition exemptions and waivers allow special groups of Texas residents or nonresidents to pay less tuition and/or fees. You must meet the specific requirements to receive the exemption, including academic requirements listed below.

Tuition exemptions are not retroactive to a paid enrollment. Based on the exemption, additional documentation may be required.

For more information or to update your student information, contact any campus Admissions and Enrollment Office

Exemptions Available to ACC Students

Exemptions listed below are available to ACC students. Details are available directly from the state’s College for All Texans webpage. Additional exemptions listed on the state website are currently not available to ACC students.

  • Students who are blind or deaf
  • Children of disabled firemen/Peace Officers
  • Children in foster or other residential care
  • Children adopted who were formerly in foster or other residential care
  • Children of professional nursing faculty
  • Children of POWs and MIAs
  • Dependents of deceased public servants
  • Ex-Prisoners of War
  • Firefighters taking fire science courses
  • Hazlewood
  • Highest-ranking high school graduate
  • National Guard waiver
  • Peace Officer Exemption
  • Clinical preceptors and their children
  • Senior Citizens – 65 or Older, free tuition for 6 credit hours per semester, during add/drop, on space available basis 
  • Students enrolled in courses for dual high school and college-level credit

Waivers Available to ACC Students

Find waiver program details on the College for All Texans webpage.

  • College teachers, professors, etc.
  • Economic Development
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Military personnel and their dependents
  • NATO Members and Families
  • Teaching or Research Assistant
  • Texas Tomorrow Fund Contract

Academic Eligibility for Exemptions/Waivers

Effective fall 2014, Senate Bill 1210 (83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session) requires students to meet the GPA and excessive hour requirement of ACC’s satisfactory academic progress in a degree or certificate program determined by our financial aid policy. See Maintaining Your Financial Aid.

This requirement does not apply to students who are exempt, including foster care alumni, co-enrolled high school students, or the dependent child or spouse of a Texas veteran who is missing in action, killed in action, or died as a result of service.

Tuition exemption/waiver appeal

You may appeal the loss of a tuition exemption/waiver in consultation with an ACC Academic Guidance Specialist. An appeal is considered when students have made substantial progress toward completing a certificate/degree and provide sufficient documentation to support continuing the tuition waiver.

Education Tax Benefit Programs

Several tax benefits can help students and families meet the cost of higher education, including:

  • Tax credits – Hope and Lifetime Learning;
  • Above-the-line deduction for higher education expenses;
  • Deduction of student loan interest;
  • Tax-free withdrawals from education savings accounts (ESAs);
  • Tax-free withdrawals from state-sponsored and private tuition savings plans; and
  • Tax-free, employer-provided tuition benefit.

Save your records of all education-related payments and financial aid for tax purposes. Institutions are required to provide Form 1098T Tuition Statement, to students (except Continuing Education students and nonresident alien students). Banks, institutions, and other lenders that collect student loan interest payments must issue annual information returns (Form 1098E Student Loan Interest Payments to individuals) from whom they collect more than $600 in interest during the tax year.

Visit the IRS website for more information (IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education and Publication 520, Scholarships and Fellowships). You can also call 800-TAX-FORM.

Texas Public University Tuition Rebate Program

You may qualify for a $1,000 rebate earn a bachelor’s degree if you:

  • Are enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education in fall 1997 or thereafter;
  • Are a resident of Texas and entitled to pay in-state tuition at all times while pursuing the degree;
  • Received a bachelor’s degree from a Texas public university; and
  • Attempted no more than 3 credits in excess of the minimum number of credits required to complete the degree in the catalog under which you graduated. Hours attempted includes transfer credits, course credits earned exclusively by examination, courses that are dropped after the official census date, and for-credit developmental/remedial courses.

ACC advisors can help you plan your course of study to maximize your chances of qualifying for this rebate. Learn more about the program at the College for All Texans.

Workforce Investment Act Program

You may qualify for help in meeting you educational expenses through the Workforce Investment Act program. Prior to enrollment at ACC, contact a WIA office to determine eligibility and types of assistance. Learn more at Workforce Solutions Capital Area or Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.

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