Educational Aide Exemption

The Educational Aide Exemption (EAE) is a state-administered program for students who demonstrate financial need and are currently employed with a school district to assist in preparing these students to become qualified teachers. If awarded, applicants are exempt from the payment of tuition and certain mandatory fees and may be exempt from Student Teaching.

Funding is limited, and completed applications are considered in the order received.

How to Apply

Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) as early as possible after October 1 and ensure all subsequent action items are complete.
Review exemption requirements and Frequently Asked Questions.
Complete the Educational Aide Exemption application and upload it through our secure document uploader.

Eligibility

Be a resident of Texas.
Be registered for the Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement.
Be employed in some capacity by a public school district in Texas during the full term for which you receive the award unless granted a hardship.
Show financial need.
Be previously employed by a public school district in Texas working full-time in a classroom directly with the students in a teaching capacity as:
- An Educational Aide for at least one school year of the past five school years preceding the term or semester for which you are awarded an initial exemption, or
- A substitute teacher for 180 days of the past five school years preceding the term or semester for which the you are awarded an initial exemption.
Meet academic requirements established by the college or university.
Be enrolled in courses required for teacher certification in one or more areas that the Texas Education Agency has determined to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at public schools in Texas in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, 21.1083 (6).