About STA

State Tuition Assistance

Read about this program in the sections below

See the Phase 1 section to find the application for the Spring 2024 term.

Funded by the State of Texas, the State TA program is an education benefit that provides money for college to eligible members of the Texas Military Department pursuing their educational and career goals. This benefit is available during Fall and Spring semesters to actively drilling Texas Guard Members of any of the 3 following Texas components:

  • Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), 
  • Texas Air National Guard (TXANG), 
  • Texas State Guard (TXSG)

Applicants interested in requesting aid must:

  • Have completed Basic Training (or its equivalent)
  • Be attending an accredited Texas college or university
  • Be pursuing:
    • an academic certificate
    • an undergraduate degree (associate or bachelor)
    • a graduate or professional degree (master's, PhD, Doctorate)
  • A State TA application must be submitted each semester that aid is needed 

The application review process is divided into 5 phases of review, which runs the duration of the semester. Be aware that this is a reimbursement program. Approved award payments may take up to several months after the end of the semester to be paid. The linked sections on this page provide some details about each of these phases. Read these sections to learn more about the State TA program.

Additional Questions?

Send your questions about State TA by email: ng.tx.txarng.mbx.trp@army.mil

 

 

 

 

 


State Tuition Process Status
Figure 1. The 5 phase process for State TA.

The basics of how this program works goes something like this.

  • Applicants must apply for aid each semester. 
  • Awards are intended to reimburse the out-of-pocket expenses incurred from qualifying tuition and mandatory fee charges.
  • If approved for a State TA award, then after the semester is over an award payment is sent to the school.
  • The school will either apply the funds to new charges or refund the appropriate amount to the student.

 

Status updates are sent to all applicants throughout the review process. If you submit a request for aid, you should receive at least one status update by the end of the first month of classes. If you do not receive something by the end of the first full month of classes, contact our office to inquire about the status of your application. Our office breaks the review process down into 5 phases:

  • Phase 1 Applying for aid;
  • Phase 2 Determining eligibility;
  • Phase 3 Calculating an award amount;
  • Phase 4 Reporting grades; and
  • Phase 5 Issuing award payments.

 

The basics of how this program works goes something like this.

  • Applicants must apply for aid each semester. 
  • Awards are intended to reimburse the out-of-pocket expenses incurred from qualifying tuition and mandatory fee charges.
  • If approved for a State TA award, then after the semester is over an award payment is sent to the school.
  • The school will either apply the funds to new charges or refund the appropriate amount to the student.

 

Status updates are sent to all applicants throughout the review process. If you submit a request for aid, you should receive at least one status update by the end of the first month of classes. If you do not receive something by the end of the first full month of classes, contact our office to inquire about the status of your application. Our office breaks down the review process into 5 phases:

  • Phase 1 Applying for aid
  • Phase 2 Determining eligibility
  • Phase 3 Calculating an award amount
  • Phase 4 Reporting grades
  • Phase 5 Issuing award payments.

Our first phase of processing revolves around the application for aid. The process begins when a student submits an application form to request aid. When the form is received in our office, the information is added to our database system and an update message is emailed to the applicant confirming initiation of the review process.

You, the student, must Submit an application form before the beginning of each semester that you want aid. Aid does NOT automatically carry over from one semester to the next. The window to submit an application opens approximately 2 months prior to the beginning of each semester and closes around the 2nd week of the semester. See the section on “Due Dates/Deadlines” for specific dates. 

The application form is available through MS 365 Forms. CAC Login is NOT required.  Members of the Texas Guard members can access the online application form beginning 11 December 2023.  If any member has a problem filling out the form, please email our office for assistance, ng.tx.txarng.mbx.trp@army.mil. 

Find the online application form here:  https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/yJZRW8YCXM

 

Our first phase of processing revolves around the application for aid. The process begins when a student submits an application form to request aid. When the form is received in our office, the information is added to our database system and an update message is emailed to the applicant confirming initiation of the review process.

You, the student, must Submit an application form before the beginning of each semester that you want aid. Aid does NOT automatically carry over from one semester to the next. The window to submit an application opens approximately 2 months prior to the beginning of each semester and closes around the 2nd week of the semester. See the section on “Due Dates/Deadlines” for specific dates. 

The application form is available through MS 365 Forms. CAC Login is NOT required.  Members of the Texas Guard members can access the online application form beginning 11 December 2023.  If any member has a problem filling out the form, please email our office for assistance, ng.tx.txarng.mbx.trp@army.mil. 

Find the online application form here: (Check back on 11 December 2023)

Our office reviews each application to determine whether an applicant meets all the qualifications for a State TA award and to calculate the qualifying amount for reimbursement. The review process focuses on 3 categories of eligibility. An applicant must get a GO in all 3 in order to be approved to receive a State TA award. The 3 categories are Military Service Eligibility, Financial Eligibility, and Scholastic/Academic Eligibility.  Phase 2 of our process focuses specifically on Military Service Qualifications. The other 2 categories are reviewed in phases 3 and 4.

Military Service qualifications are essentially the items listed on the Statement of Understanding page that an applicant signs as part of the application form. Those detailed items can be summarized in these 6 general terms that are verified each semester of a person applies for aid:

  • Currently serving Guard member (not IRR or ING)
  • Completion of Basic Training
  • Military service will continue beyond the end of the semester
  • Qualifying pay grade
  • Qualifying degree program
  • Satisfactory participation with military unit

 

We reach out to a representative of each component to verify the specific military criteria. This provides leaders in any of the 3 TMD components with a mechanism to utilize the State TA benefit as a tool to manage and reward their members that are consistently maintaining the military standards of performance.

 

More Information

Our office reviews each application to determine whether an applicant meets all the qualifications for a State TA award and to calculate the qualifying amount for reimbursement. The review process focuses on 3 categories of eligibility. An applicant must get a GO in all 3 in order to be approved to receive a State TA award. The 3 categories are Military Service Eligibility, Financial Eligibility, and Scholastic/Academic Eligibility.  Phase 2 of our process focuses specifically on Military Service Qualifications. The other 2 categories are reviewed in phases 3 and 4.

Military Service qualifications are essentially the items listed on the Statement of Understanding page that an applicant signs as part of the application form. Those detailed items can be summarized in these 6 general terms that are verified each semester of a person applies for aid:

  • Currently serving Guard member (not IRR or ING)
  • Completion of Basic Training
  • Military service will continue beyond the end of the semester
  • Qualifying pay grade
  • Qualifying degree program
  • Satisfactory participation with military unit

 

We reach out to a representative of each component to verify the specific military criteria. This provides leaders in any of the 3 TMD components with a mechanism to utilize the State TA benefit as a tool to manage and reward their members that are consistently maintaining the military standards of performance.

 

More Information

The Phase 3 review focuses on calculating an eligible award amount. To do this we must have supporting documents that show the tuition and fees charged by the school, the number of classes registered, and any other financial aid received. Without sufficient information, we cannot make a valid calculation for an award.

Once all documents are received, then we do a detailed review of the information. There are certain charges that are eligible for reimbursement, while others are not. Eligible charges include “tuition and mandatory fees.” Mandatory fees are defined by each institution. Charges for room, meals, books or supplies are not qualify to be included in a State TA award. Basically, "mandatory fees" are registration fees charged to all students at a college, that are not tied to a specific class or major.

There may be additional limits to the amounts that can be reimbursed. Only resident tuition rates qualify for an award. At a community college resident tuition can be either an in-district or out-of-district tuition rate, depending on the student’s home address. Additionally, if a Guard member chooses to maintain residency outside of Texas, they will be charged non-resident tuition rates. State TA will cover only up to the tuition amount charged to a Texas resident.  

There can be various types of tuition charges. “Designated tuition” and “state tuition” charges may appear on a fee statement. These are eligible for an aid award. The extra tuition charged for excessive credit hours or repeated classes is not eligible.

The Phase 3 review also looks at the types of other assistance an applicant is receiving. One of the goals of the State TA program is to reimburse eligible service members for at least some of their out-of-pocket expenses of pursuing their adult education goals. If an applicant receives grants or scholarships that reduce the out-of-pocket burden, this may reduce the amount that is eligible for a State TA tuition award. Aid sources that typically reduce the qualifying amount for State TA includes military aid like Federal TA, GI Bill tuition payments and Hazlewood benefits. Some civilian aid like Pell Grants, and other grants or scholarships may reduce a State TA award while others do not.

 

Here is an example to illustrate how we calculate an award amount.

PVT Joe submits an application for State TA before the start of the semester. The financial review of his file shows he is being charged $5,000 in tuition and mandatory fees. It is also found that he is receiving $1,000 in Federal TA and $3,000 in a tuition grant. He is also receiving a student loan for $4,000. Doing a little math (5,000 – 1,000 – 3,000) gives an amount eligible for reimbursement of $1,000. PVT Joe sends in an official transcript after the end of the semester showing he passed all 12 credit hours of classes, and he met all other eligibility criteria. PVT Joe was approved for a State TA award of $1,000.

 Note that the loan amount in the above scenario was not factored into the calculation. Only “gift aid” assistance is used in the calculation of a State TA award.

Academic or Scholastic Eligibility is the final factor in qualifying for State Tuition Assistance. This is accomplished by students sending an OFFICIAL transcript AFTER the semester is over to report final grades. Only OFFICIAL transcripts will be accepted. Unofficial versions or screen shots of your grades will NOT be accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE: Send in your official transcript AFTER your grades have posted. If a transcript is received without the grades showing, a new transcript will have to be ordered.

Electronic transcripts.

The general rule is to send your transcript to our office in an electronic/digital format. Most schools now provide an electronic PDF version that can be ordered online and sent electronically to our office. If this option is available to you, this is the method you should use. Find the online transcript order site for your college/university. On the transcript order page, you must manually enter our information as the recipient: 

  • Name: Texas Military Dept. State Tuition Assistance
  • Email address: statranscripts@gmail.com 

Non-Electronic transcripts

If your school does not offer electronic transcripts, order a paper copy for yourself. Pickup in person or have it mailed to YOUR OWN ADDRESS. Once you have it, scan it and upload a copy to the State TA SharePoint page. If you cannot access that page, email a copy to our office.

Once we receive your transcript, we will record your grades into our system and then email you a confirmation. At certain points it may take a few days from receiving the transcript to update the grades. Please be patient, but if a week passes or the deadline approaches with no confirmation from our office please send an email to confirm if we received your transcript.

 

More Information

Academic Eligibility is the final factor in qualifying for State Tuition Assistance. This is accomplished by students sending an OFFICIAL transcript AFTER the semester is over to report final grades. Only OFFICIAL transcripts will be accepted. Unofficial versions or screen shots of your grades will NOT be accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE: Send in your official transcript AFTER your grades have posted. If a transcript is received without the grades showing, a new transcript will have to be ordered.

Electronic transcripts.

The general rule is to send your transcript to our office in an electronic/digital format. Most schools now provide an electronic PDF version that can be ordered online and sent electronically to our office. If this option is available to you, this is the method you should use. Find the online transcript order site for your college/university. On the transcript order page, you must manually enter our information as the recipient: 

  • Name: Texas Military Dept. State Tuition Assistance
  • Email address: statranscripts@gmail.com 

Non-Electronic transcripts

If your school does not offer electronic transcripts, order a paper copy for yourself. Pickup in person or have it mailed to YOUR OWN ADDRESS. Once you have it, scan it and upload a copy to the State TA SharePoint page. If you cannot access that page, email a copy to our office.

Once we receive your transcript, we will record your grades into our system and then email you a confirmation. At certain points it may take a few days from receiving the transcript to update the grades. Please be patient, but if a week passes or the deadline approaches with no confirmation from our office please send an email to confirm if we received your transcript.

 

More Information

Academic Eligibility is the final factor in qualifying for State Tuition Assistance. This is accomplished by students sending an OFFICIAL transcript AFTER the semester is over to report final grades. Only OFFICIAL transcripts will be accepted. Unofficial versions or screen shots of your grades will NOT be accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE: Send in your official transcript AFTER your grades have posted. If a transcript is received without the grades showing, a new transcript will have to be ordered.

Electronic transcripts.

The general rule is to send your transcript to our office in an electronic/digital format. Most schools now provide an electronic PDF version that can be ordered online and sent electronically to our office. If this option is available to you, this is the method you should use. Find the online transcript order site for your college/university. On the transcript order page, you must manually enter our information as the recipient: 

Non-Electronic transcripts

If your school does not offer electronic transcripts, order a paper copy for yourself. Pickup in person or have it mailed to YOUR OWN ADDRESS. Once you have it, scan it and upload a copy to the State TA SharePoint page. If you cannot access that page, email a copy to our office.

Once we receive your transcript, we will record your grades into our system and then email you a confirmation. At certain points it may take a few days from receiving the transcript to update the grades. Please be patient, but if a week passes or the deadline approaches with no confirmation from our office please send an email to confirm if we received your transcript.

 

More Information

Academic Eligibility is the final factor in qualifying for State Tuition Assistance. This is accomplished by students sending an OFFICIAL transcript AFTER the semester is over to report final grades. Only OFFICIAL transcripts will be accepted. Unofficial versions or screen shots of your grades will NOT be accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE: Send in your official transcript AFTER your grades have posted. If a transcript is received without the grades showing, a new transcript will have to be ordered.

Electronic transcripts.

The general rule is to send your transcript to our office in an electronic/digital format. Most schools now provide an electronic PDF version that can be ordered online and sent electronically to our office. If this option is available to you, this is the method you should use. Find the online transcript order site for your college/university. On the transcript order page, you must manually enter our information as the recipient: 

Non-Electronic transcripts

If your school does not offer electronic transcripts, order a paper copy for yourself. Pickup in person or have it mailed to YOUR OWN ADDRESS. Once you have it, scan it and upload a copy to the State TA SharePoint page. If you cannot access that page, email a copy to our office.

Once we receive your transcript, we will record your grades into our system and then email you a confirmation. At certain points it may take a few days from receiving the transcript to update the grades. Please be patient, but if a week passes or the deadline approaches with no confirmation from our office please send an email to confirm if we received your transcript.

 

More Information

The final step in our processing cycle is to issue payment of an award to a college. We combine award payments as much as possible. This means for an example, all students receiving State TA and attending classes at the University of Texas will have their award payments combined into a single lump-sum transaction issued to UT. This means we cannot issue the payment until ALL of the UT students have provided an official transcript to our office.

Yes, the payment is issued to the college, not to the student. Once UT receives the funds, the appropriate amount will be credited to each student account. When appropriate, the college can issue a refund out to the student or the funds can be applied to new charges on the student account.

The overall payment of all awards to all the colleges will normally run from 6 to 12 weeks after the end of the semester. Because of the time it takes to receive all transcripts and the time it can take for the college to apply an award to a student account, it is impossible to predict when a payment may be applied to a student’s account any more accurately. Once the TMD accounting office issues the payment transaction, an email notice goes out to a student advising that payment is on the way. This marks the end of this phase and the end of the overall process for the semester. 

The final step in our processing cycle is to issue payment of an award to a college. We combine award payments as much as possible. This means for an example, all students receiving State TA and attending classes at the University of Texas will have their award payments combined into a single lump-sum transaction issued to UT. This means we cannot issue the payment until ALL of the UT students have provided an official transcript to our office.

Yes, the payment is issued to the college, not to the student. Once UT receives the funds, the appropriate amount will be credited to each student account. When appropriate, the college can issue a refund out to the student or the funds can be applied to new charges on the student account.

The overall payment of all awards to all the colleges will normally run from 6 to 12 weeks after the end of the semester. Because of the time it takes to receive all transcripts and the time it can take for the college to apply an award to a student account, it is impossible to predict when a payment may be applied to a student’s account any more accurately. Once the TMD accounting office issues the payment transaction, an email notice goes out to a student advising that payment is on the way. This marks the end of this phase and the end of the overall process for the semester. 

Due Date/Deadline Summary for the 2023-2024 Academic Year:

If you are applying for:

 

Fall Semester 

Spring Semester
1)  Application Submission Deadline September 15, 2023 February 16, 2024
2) Supporting Documents Due Date September 30, 2023 March 1, 2024
3) Official Transcript Due Date January 16, 2024 June 5, 2024

** NOTE: If you request State TA for Fall and Spring, you must provide separate supporting documents and an official transcript for each semester, by the due dates listed above for each semester.

 

 

  • Applicants will receive multiple email status updates throughout the semester. If you are not receiving status updates, contact the Education Office to ensure that your application was received and is being processed. 
  • The tuition award will only reimburse classes that are successfully completed. Classes that are withdrawn, incomplete or failed will not be reimbursed.
  • Official transcripts are required to confirm grades.
  • This program does not pay until after the end of the academic semester. Therefore, it is the applicant’s responsibility to work with the school to satisfy the payment requirements at the beginning of the semester. Most schools will not defer charges based on your application for State Tuition Assistance. 
  • Schedule changes should be reported by submitting an updated course schedule and fee statement to the Education Office.
  • The State TA award will be issued at the completion of the academic semester and only after an official transcript is received in the Education Office.
  • By Texas State law, this program is only authorized to issue payments directly to a college or university in Texas. We cannot issue payments to out of state institutions or to individual persons.
  • Payments are sent as a bulk payment that includes all awards for all approved recipients at a given school. Schools may take days or weeks from the date the payment is received in their accounting system before process the payment. It may take additional time for the school to update the student’s account.
  • If the STATE TA payment creates a positive balance on the student’s account, then the school may issue a refund of the appropriate amount. The school may offer other options to handle the positive account balance.

MISSION:

In alignment with the TMD Strategic Plan, The State Tuition Assistance Program supports TMD’s overarching goals of Retention, Building Resiliency and enhancing Community Support. 

GOALS

  • Recruitment and Retention of highly qualified Soldiers, Airmen and State Guard Members.
  • Increase the number of TMD Members who complete an undergraduate degree. 
  • Promote postsecondary education which accelerates military readiness and resiliency as well as personal and professional development. 
  • Improve and expand upon the quality of services offered to the state’s workforce and community. 
  • Increase representation in the STEM disciplines such as cyber space security, computer science, natural or biological sciences, education, engineering, mathematics, physics, public health and the sciences.  
  • Develop a cadre of future leaders for Texas and America by facilitating the completion of higher education. 


VALUES

  • Military Service
  • Scholastic Eligibility
  • Successful completion of classes
  • STEM Degrees that increase employee knowledge and skills that contribute to the TMD Agency and Mission.

FAQ

  • Active drilling members in “Good Standing” with TXARNG, TXANG or TXSG.

  • Eligible ranks are: Enlisted (E1-E9), Officers (O1-O5) and Warrant Officers (W1-W3).

  • Applicants must be accepted and registered in a Texas qualifying college or university. Part-time or full-time students are eligible.

  • Applicants must have completed Basic Training prior to the start of the semester. TXSG must complete BOT, RBOT or AIT.

  • Members must continue to serve in their component through the end of the semester. The Service Member’s Expiration of Term of Service (ETS) or Mandatory Retirement Date (MRD) must be a date after the official last day of class. State Guard Members do not have a contract ETS date, but must serve through the end of the semester in order to receive the award payment.

  • ROTC (GRFD and DANG) Cadets utilizing the Room & Board scholarship option or non-scholarship contracts are eligible.

  • Applicant must attend a public or private college or university with headquarters in Texas as defined in Texas Education Code Section 61.003. For profit schools are not eligible.

  • Must have and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

  • STA is available for Fall and Spring academic semesters only. If you are in classes that do not align with the standard Fall and Spring semester, your classes will be assigned to either semester for processing based on the start and end date of your classes. Payments are issued out only at the end of the standard Fall and Spring semesters.

  • Undergraduate applicants are prioritized to receive aid prior to graduate students during periods of limited funding. The program is currently not in a limited funding status.

  • Awards at a public college can be a maximum amount equivalent to 12 credit hours worth of tuition and mandatory fees, not to exceed $4,500 per semester.

  • Private school awards are calculated based on the average size of awards for public schools each semester. The maximum possible is $4,500 per semester.

  • Public school students charged Non-Resident tuition rates will have tuition awards approved at the in-state, resident rate only.

  • Students pursuing a second degree at the same level (lateral degree) will be prioritized after first-time undergraduate students.

  • Incomplete, Dropped or Failed classes are ineligible for reimbursement.

  • Yes, State TA can be used or “stacked” with other federal tuition assistance or state programs to cover up to 100% of tuition and eligible fees.

  • If other programs are covering 100% of the tuition and eligible fees, then there is no remaining amount that qualifies for a State TA award. State TA will not be awarded in this circumstance.

  • State TA can be awarded for the tuition and fee charges not paid by other military sources of tuition aid.

  • Yes, however, your Pell, SEOG, grants and/or scholarships will be included when calculating your eligible award amount. Grants and Scholarships may reduce the amount of qualifying charges that State TA can pay. If there is any doubt, go ahead and apply for State TA. We will review your information during our normal processing and let you know if you have any remaining charges that qualify for a State TA award.

  • Loans will not be included in the calculation of eligible award amount. In other words, if you accept student loans to pay your tuition, State TA can still be approved to cover those tuition charges, as long as there are no other grants or scholarships paying your tuition. 

  • State TA is NOT a student loan repayment program. State TA cannot be used to directly pay off student loans. Accepting student loans does not by itself qualify a person to be approved for State TA aid. 

  • If we do not receive information on all the financial aid you are awarded, then our calculation for a State TA award may exceed the maximum amount of aid that your school is allowed to apply to your account. In this case, your school may not accept all or part of your State TA award payment based on the total amount in financial aid that you have been awarded. Additionally, intentional failure to disclose other financial aid, grants or scholarships may be grounds for denial, permanent disqualification from the program as well as prosecution under the Texas Military Code of Justice.

  • When the Texas Legislature established this program, the statute included a limit of 30 awards for Texas State Guard members each semester. It’s a statutory requirement that can only be changed by the Texas Legislature. 

  • The statute does grant authority to the TAG to waive this limit in any given semester, to allow additional Texas State Guard Members to receive aid.

  • The most common reason that applicants are not approved for a State TA award is failure to meet financial eligibility. This happens when other aid has paid all the qualifying tuition and fee charges, leaving no qualifying charges that can be reimbursed by State TA.
  • Some common sources of aid that get applied to tuition charges before State TA include Pell Grants, Federal TA, tuition payments from Post 9-11 GI Bill, Hazlewood, and other sources of tuition assistance. 
  • A less frequently occurring reason to not be approved for aid is not submitting required documents. Multiple attempts are made to reach applicants when information is needed before cancelling out a request. If no response is received back, eventually the request is cancelled out. It is important to monitor your email inbox for messages from our office.