The terms 'exemption' and 'waiver' refer to situations in which an entity pays all or part of a student’s tuition and fee bill directly (i.e. not through normal financial aid programs or scholarships). Examples include ROTC exemptions, valedictorian exemptions, and out-of-state waivers. All exemptions and waivers are processed through Special Billing in the Student Accounts Receivable office. See their web site, under Tuition Adjustments, for more information about specific exemptions and waivers. Also, see the HHLoans website, a project of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, for information regarding state tuition exemptions.

The Student Accounts Receivable office notifies our office of all tuition exemptions and waivers. Since these awards are resources (like any other financial aid), we must take them into account when awarding financial aid. As such, it is very important to notify our office as soon as possible if you know you will be receiving a tuition exemption or waiver! We may have to adjust your other awards due to waivers or exemptions.

An NRTE is an exemption of the non-resident portion of a student's tuition bill. Students who receive NRTEs are responsible for paying Texas resident tuition. Under Texas Education Code Sec. 54.064 (a) the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) and UT Schools/Colleges and Departments are able to award a limited number of competitive scholarships to out-of-state students in order to qualify them for NRTEs.

Initial Awards: The incoming freshman candidate pool is highly competitive, and UT OSFS is restricted to awarding NRTEs to approximately 10% of all non-resident candidates. OSFS evaluates NRTE candidates using a combination of factors: SAT/ACT test score, ApplyTexas application data, and, in some cases financial need.

Renewals: Continuing Non-Resident students, with a UT cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, who have been awarded an NRTE by OSFS, will have their NRTE renewed for a maximum of four years, or upon obtaining an undergraduate degree, whichever comes first. NRTE renewal is contingent on maintaining full time enrollment and the continued availability of NRTEs.

For application information and selection criteria, visit TexasScholarships.org.