Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students
Offered by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board · Free to apply
Texas residents who are blind or deaf are exempt from all tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities. It is a statutory entitlement rather than a competition, so a certified student receives it. Of all the Texas exemptions this one probably has the largest qualifying population and the lowest awareness, which makes it the highest-reach item in the state for a family that does not know to look. Room and board are not covered. The gate is state certification of the condition rather than any academic or financial test.
How hard is the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~3 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Texas residents
- Fewer rivalsRequires a specific life circumstance
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Texas
- Open to high school seniors, current college students, and transfer students
- For students with a documented disability
- Requires certification of blindness or deafness by the relevant Texas state agency. Start that certification early, because it gates everything else.
- Must be a Texas resident attending a Texas public institution.
- IMPORTANT for undocumented and DACA students: Texas in-state tuition on the residency-affidavit route was blocked by a federal court in 2025 and the case is still being litigated. Campuses are applying this inconsistently, especially for DACA recipients. Do not assume you qualify or that you do not. Get your residency classification in writing from the specific institution before relying on any Texas state aid.
- Covers tuition and fees only. Room and board are excluded.
- There is no financial need test and no academic threshold.
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is August 31, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around August 31 each year. Handled through your institution's financial aid or registrar office. Obtain the state certification during senior year so it is in hand before your first term.
- Applications close
- August 31, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students
How much is the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students worth?
The Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students awards exempts all tuition and fees at Texas public institutions and is renewable in later years.
When is the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students deadline?
The current deadline is August 31, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around August 31 each year. Handled through your institution's financial aid or registrar office. Obtain the state certification during senior year so it is in hand before your first term.
Who is eligible for the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Texas; Open to high school seniors, current college students, and transfer students; For students with a documented disability.
Does the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 3 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 3 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students free to apply?
Yes. The Texas Tuition Exemption for Blind or Deaf Students is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.