SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT
Texas Firefighter
Tuition Waiver

Background

Firefighters employed or volunteer with a political subdivision of the State of Texas qualify for a tuition waiver for all courses as outlined by Texas Education Code 54.353. This tuition waiver applies to any firefighter who meets the program requirements for a volunteer firefighter or works for a fire department, public safety agency, or other emergency response organizations and does so within a political subdivision in the state of Texas. To read this legislation, please visit the link below:

Information about the state tuition waiver program.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Texas Firefighter Tuition Waiver, a Firefighter must meet the following criteria:

  • Be employed as a paid firefighter by a political subdivision of the State of Texas; OR
    • Be an active member of an organized volunteer department for at least one year; AND
      • Meet credentialing requirements.
  • Apply for admission and be accepted to West Texas A&M University.
  • Enroll in the Emergency Management Administration program (BAAS).
  • Achieve satisfactory academic progress and maintain a GPA of at least 2.0.

Additional Information

  • The Texas Firefighter Tuition Waiver covers all tuition associated with courses in the EMA program. The list of covered courses can be found here
  • The waiver does not cover student fees, required textbooks, or tuition for courses outside of the EMA program. 

Application Process

  1. Submit the West Texas A&M University Firefighter Tuition Waiver form after successful admission to the university and course registration.
    1. Completed waivers should be sent to ema@wtamu.edu
    2. Waivers received before formal admission to the university or registration will not be processed.
    3. Waivers must be completed on departmental or agency letterhead.
  2. The Emergency Management Administration program director will verify eligibility and forward the waiver to the Registrar’s Office for processing.
  3. The Registrar and the Business Office will apply the waiver to the appropriate student account.

Additional Information

  • Students must submit a new waiver form each semester.
  • All required student information on the tuition waiver form must be provided. Forms without a signature and/or valid BuffID will not be processed.
  • Once processed by the EMA program director, students should contact the Business Office for all questions regarding waivers/benefits. Faculty do not have access to student accounts. 

Contacts

Business Office
West Texas A&M
(806) 651-2080
Dr. Justin Moeller
Associate Professor
(806) 651-2432