WT Offering Half-Off Tuition, Fees to All School Employees, Dependents in Region 16

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — In a major expansion of a popular program, West Texas A&M University now will offer half-off tuition and mandatory fees to employees and their dependents at all schools within the Region 16 Education Service Center.

WT President Walter V. Wendler announced the launch of the Region 16 Excellence Initiative today to area school administrators, making higher education more affordable to thousands across the Panhandle.

“Our partnership with Region 16 reflects our roots as the primary university that prepares educators to graduate and succeed throughout our area,” Wendler said. “By extending this offer to all full-time employees and their dependents within Region 16, we are being responsive to the needs of the communities in our backyard and caring for these employees as we do our own.

“This has, from the beginning, been the purpose of our long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World,” Wendler said.

The initiative follows in the footsteps of WT’s Employee and Family Tuition and Fees Reduction program, which was offered first to full-time University employees beginning in May 2022.

The Region 16 Excellence Initiative amplifies the offer made to the ESC’s full-time teachers, administrators, librarians, nurses, counselors or paraprofessionals through the WT Educators Excellence Initiative, which launched in June. It was later broadened to include full-time educators at Regions 17 and 18, community colleges and 1A and 2A schools.

The new Region 16 initiative—which is only in effect for this specific education service center—now includes full-time school employees who were previously not included, including cafeteria workers, custodial staff and others.

Most importantly, it includes spouses and all claimed dependents.

“By extending this incredible offer to every full-time staff member and their children, WT is demonstrating a profound commitment to the people who keep our schools running every day,” said Dr. Tanya Larkin, Region 16 executive director. “This initiative not only makes a degree more accessible but also strengthens the fabric of our educational community across the Panhandle.”

More than 300 Region 16 educators have taken advantage of the initial offer.

WT offers 66 undergraduate degrees and 44 graduate degrees, including doctoral degrees in agriculture and education.

Students may enroll for summer 2026 in undergraduate courses and through the WT Graduate School. Students interested in pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership can apply to join the January 2027 cohort.

Programs and certifications that are already offered at a discounted rate are not eligible for tuition reduction.

Both the Region 16 and the WT half-off waivers are considered to be among the most generous offered by any state college or university in Texas or The Texas A&M University System.

Other conditions, including financial aid benefits, may apply to the total cost of tuition. 

Region 16 school districts span the Texas Panhandle and have an average daily attendance of almost 80,000 students, ranging from fewer than 30 to more than 29,000 students in individual districts. Total regional school staff numbers more than 11,400.

WT opened in 1910 as West Texas State Normal College, a school that trained teachers. Today, about 75 percent of all teachers and administrators throughout the Panhandle region have at least one degree or certificate from WT.

Serving the Texas Panhandle and being responsive to its needs are key maxims of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

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