Peace Officer and Firefighter Exemptions Information

Applications will not be accepted until semester charges are posted to student accounts. Applications may be
accepted until census day. 

In order to qualify, a Firefighter must:

  • Apply for the exemption after the semester fees have applied to the student's account.
  • 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 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 Section 419.071, Govt Code.
  • Apply for admission and be accepted
  • Provide a copy of your employee ID that shows you are a Firefighter
  • Provide the university Registrar proof of employment as a currently paid Firefighter (required each semester in which the exemption will be used) in the form of a letter on letterhead dated within 30 days of application that you are a Firefighter, or a copy of pay stub within 30 days of application.
  • You must be enrolled as a student pursuing one of the following degrees:
    • Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences with a minor in Industrial Safety
    • Bachelor of Science or Arts in Political Science
    • Master of Public Administration
    • Emergency Management Certification courses are also eligible for the exemption, if pursuing with the approved degree program
  • Submit completed Registrar's Application for Texas Peace Officer and Firefighters Exemption each semester
  • Be in compliance with the institution's financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement 
  • Maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher 

In order to qualify, a Peace Officer must:

  • Apply for the exemption after the semester fees have applied to the student's account.
  • Be employed as a Peace Officer by the state of Texas or by a political subdivision of Texas
  • Apply for admission and be accepted
  • Provide a copy of your employee ID that shows you are a Peace Officer
  • Provide the university Registrar proof of employment as a currently paid Police Officer (required each semester in which the exemption will be used) in the form of a letter on letterhead dated within 30 days of application that you are a Peace Officer, or provide a copy of pay stub within 30 days of application.
  • Be enrolled in an eligible criminal justice or law enforcement-related degree at the institution
    • BA, Criminal Justice
    • BS, Criminal Justice
    • BA, Victim Studies
    • BS, Victim Studies
    • UG Certificate in Management and Leadership in Criminal Justice
  • Submit completed Registrar's Application for Texas Peace Officer and Firefighters Exemption each semester 
  • Be in compliance with the institutions financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement
  • Maintain a Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher (institutional GPA and overall GPA)
  • The exemption cannot be received for more than 12 terms while the student is enrolled in an undergraduate program or while attending only undergraduate courses 

Eligible courses:

  • Only undergraduate courses pertaining to Criminal Justice are eligible for the tuition and laboratory fees exemption.
  • No more than 20 percent of the maximum student enrollment designated by the institution for a given law enforcement or criminal justice class may receive an exemption under this program (the application fore Texas Peace Officer and Firefighter Exemptions will be used to determine the 20% max student enrollment).
  • Pursuant to Texas Education Code, Section 54.545, the exemption does not apply to courses that do not receive Texas Education Code Section 61.059 formula funding.

Excess Hours:

  • Additional information is available for persons who have reached the limit of undergraduate hours.

Additional Information: HERE (College for All Texans)

Disabled Texas Firefighter and Peace Officer Exemption:

  • Apply for the exemption after the semester fees have applied to the student's account.
  • Submit a letter from your employer on official letterhead, stating the student was permanently disabled during the line of duty and unable to continue employment as a peace officer/firefighter due to their disability, with this application.
  • Apply for admission and be accepted
  • Must be a resident of Texas (resided in this state for the 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of the semester)
  • Undergraduate students require a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Graduate students require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) score of 3 or lower.
  • A student may not receive the exemption for more than 12 semesters while the student is enrolled in an undergraduate program or while the student is attending only undergraduate courses.
  • Submit completed Registrar's Disabled Texas Firefighter and Peace Office Exemption each semester

    • STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL TUITION AND FEES THAT MAY NOT BE COVERED.

    For information please contact:

    The Office of the Registrar at registrar@shsu.edu or 936-294-1040