New Bills Provide Peace Officers, Firefighters TAMIU Tuition, Fee Exemptions

The recent close of the 81st Legislature brings a new higher education opportunity at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) for peace officers and firefighters.

House Bill 2013 and HB 2342 amended Section 54.208 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) to make firefighters and peace officers holding specific credentials eligible for certain tuitions and fee exemptions.

Oscar Reyna, TAMIU registrar, explained the new opportunity.

“Briefly, these bills allow TAMIU to make available courses in identified programs for qualified firefighters and peace officers that are eligible for tuition and fee exemption. This provides a clear and financially advantageous opportunity for their professional advancement and career growth,” Reyna explained.

The new exemptions are in place for Fall 2011 at TAMIU. Detailed criteria must be met to qualify for the exemptions.

“Peace officers must be employed as a peace officer by the state of Texas or by a political subdivision of Texas; be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate criminal justice or law enforcement-related degree or certificate program; submit an Application for Exemption for Peace Officer in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses; apply for the exemption one week prior to the end or regular registration and comply with the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirement.

“Only undergraduate courses pertaining to the major requirements of law enforcement-related and criminal justice degree or certificate programs are eligible for the tuition and laboratory fees exemption. The exemption does not apply to courses that do not receive TEC Section 61.059 formula funding,” Reyna said.

Firefighters must be employed as a paid firefighter by a political subdivision of the State of Texas or active members of volunteer fire departments who hold an accredited advanced certification or equivalent, or a Phase V Firefighter II certification or equivalent; apply and be accepted for admission; provide proof of employment; be enrolled in courses considered part of a Fire Science Curriculum (BS, Chemistry; BSN, Nursing; Master of Public Administration and enrolled in the following courses: BIOL, CHEM, NURS, PADM and PHYS; submit an application for Exemption; apply for exemption by Census Day of the semester/session and be in compliance with the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirement.

Not all tuition and fees may be covered by the exemption and students will be responsible for uncovered tuition and fees.

For additional information visit the College for all Texans website at: collegeforalltexans.com/apps/financialaid

TAMIU Fall 2011 classes begin Thursday, Aug. 25.

To register, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 326.2250, e-mail registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the University Success Center, room 121.

Complete schedules, catalog and additional registration information is available at tamiu.edu

Additional information is available on uonline.tamiu.edu, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

University summer hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-12 noon on Fridays.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu