Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School

Assistantship Non-Resident Tuition Waivers allow students employed as Graduate Assistants (GAT, GAR, GAL, or GANT)* and their spouses/dependents to pay tuition at the in-state rate. Non-Resident Tuition Waiver requests must be submitted each semester.
*Exceptions to these title codes include Graduate Hall Directors (Title Code 9020)  and Veterinary Residents (Title Code 6162) which are also eligible for a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver.

Texas Education Code Rule

Texas Education Code, Sec. 54.212. TEACHING OR RESEARCH ASSISTANT. A teaching assistant or research assistant of any institution of higher education and the spouse and children of such a teaching assistant or research assistant are entitled to register in a state institution of higher education by paying the tuition fees and other fees or charges required for Texas residents under Section 54.051 of this code, without regard to the length of time the assistant has resided in Texas, if the assistant is employed at least one-half time in a teaching or research assistant position which relates to the assistant's degree program under rules and regulations established by the employer institution. Transferred and redesignated from Education Code, Section 54.063 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 359, Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2012.

Obtaining a non-resident tuition waiver

Graduate Assistants (and spouses/dependents of Graduate Assistants) employed by an academic department must work with their employing department to request and obtain a non-resident tuition waiver.

The Graduate and Professional School is responsible for reviewing and processing requests when:

  • the graduate assistant is enrolled at one campus (CS, GV, and HSC) and employed at another, or
  • the graduate assistant is employed in a non-academic department, or
  • ​the graduate assistant (and spouses/dependents of graduate assistants) is submitting a request and or a late request (regardless if the employing unit is in an academic or non-academic department. 

 

Requirements for the non-resident tutition wavier

To be eligible for a non-resident tuition waiver tied to employment as a Graduate Assistant (GA), the student must be:

  • Employed at 50% effort in an eligible GA position prior to the 20th class day of fall/spring or 15th class day of the summer session in which the student is enrolling. These dates provide a grace period from the semester census date to account for any issues with hire and on-boarding that may be outside of the employer/employee’s control.
  • Making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Meet GA registration requirements by the census date.

For waivers submitted to the Graduate and Professional School, it is strongly recommended that the graduate assistant identify the names and TAMU emails for the designated Authorized Signers in a) the employing department and b) the student’s home academic department.

Ensuring that you collect the contact information for the correct persons will enable the Graduate and Professional School to process your Non-Resident Tuition Waiver request without unnecessary delays. If you need help identifying the appropriate person(s), contact the academic advisor in both your employing department and home academic department (if they are distinct).

Upon confirming the designated Authorized Signers, graduate students submitting a request for a Non-Resident Tuition Wavier to the Graduate and Professional School must initiate the Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Request Form or the Non-Resident Tuition Spouse or Dependent Form.

Upon completion of the form, a digital workflow will be created. After all designated Authorized Signers on the form have signed, the form will be routed to the Graduate and Professional School for processing. If approved, the waiver will be entered in the student’s account. If the waiver is not approved, the Graduate and Professional School will notify the student via the student’s TAMU Email address. 

Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Request Form

Non-Resident Tuition Spouse or Dependent Form

Non-Resident Tuition Waiver FAQs

Do I have to submit a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver every semester?
Yes. Non-Resident Tuition Waivers must be submitted, along with the required supporting documents as necessary, at the beginning of each semester. Non-Resident Tuition Waivers for non-academic units, HSC units, and waivers for spouse/dependent(s) should be submitted to the Graduate & Professional School.
How many hours do I need to be registered for to qualify for a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver?
Graduate students must meet the Graduate Assistant registration requirements to be eligible for a Graduate Assistant Non-Resident Tuition Waiver. Student Business Services runs the Assistantship NRTW audit. If the student drops below the required registration requirements after an Assistantship waiver is posted, but before census, the waiver will be dropped.
I am funding my Ph.D. GAR on endowed funds. Who is responsible for paying the resident tuition and required fees?

Resident tuition and required fees should be paid from the endowed funds if the endowment allows payment of tuition and/or fees, If not, other sources such as GS, college funds, department funds, IDC or agency funds should be used.

What happens if a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Request is submitted late?

Non-resident tuition waiver requests received after the 12th class day in a regular fall/spring term or after the 4th class day in a summer term are considered late and must route through the Graduate and Professional School to verify eligibility. Late NRTW requests do require additional documentation. 

Late Non-Resident Tuition Waivers must include the following items: 

  • Non-Resident Tuition Waiver request form. 
  • Copy of the job details screen in Workday verifying employment in an eligible title code. 
  • Memo from the employing department stating the reason the waiver is being submitted late. 
  • Outline of the department/unit procedures to prevent late waivers in the future.
When will I see my Non-Resident Tuition Waiver applied to my account?
Non-Resident Tuition Waivers submitted by deadlines have a processing time of 3-5 business days. Once processed, they are immediately entered into (https://sbs.tamu.edu/info-for/departments/twapmts/) and should post to your account within 24 hours. Late Non-Resident Tuition Waivers have a processing time of 7-10 business days and are sent to Student Business Services to be applied to a student’s account, which typically takes about 3 business days.
I am the spouse of a graduate assistant. Do I qualify for a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver?
A spouse or dependent(s) of eligible graduate assistants qualifies to receive Non-Resident Tuition Waivers. With spouse/dependent waivers, students must provide proof of legal marriage/dependency. Download the Spouse Waiver Form on this page under the "Quick Links" tab.
What is the deadline to submit a Non-Resident Tuition Waiver?
Non-Resident Tuition Waivers must be submitted by the 12th class day of the Spring and Fall semesters and by the 4th class day of each Summer session.
I’m employed as a GANT in a non-academic unit. Do I qualify to have my resident tuition and required fees paid?
Payment of resident tuition and required fees for GANTs is at the discretion of the employing unit.