1. (a) Authority. Authority for this section is provided in the Texas Education Code, §54.363.

2. (b) Definitions. In addition to the words and terms defined in §13.460 of this subchapter (relating to Definitions), the following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   1. (1) Educational Aide--A person who has been employed by a public school district in Texas in a teaching capacity working in the classroom directly with the students for at least one year on a full-time basis. It may include substitute teachers who have been employed by a public school district in Texas for 180 or more full days in a teaching capacity working in the classroom directly with students.
   2. (2) Program--The Educational Aide Exemption Program.

3. (c) Eligible Institutions.

   1. (1) Eligibility. Any institution of higher education, as defined in §13.1 of this chapter (relating to Definitions), is eligible to participate in the Program.

   2. (2) Participation.

      1. (A) Agreement. Each eligible institution must enter into an agreement with the Board, the terms of which shall be prescribed by the Commissioner, prior to indicating its intent to participate in the program.
      2. (B) Intent to Participate. Subject to subsection (c)(2)(A), to receive an allocation for the forthcoming fiscal year, an eligible institution must indicate its intent to participate in the program in the applicable year in the manner prescribed and by the deadline established by the Coordinating Board.
   3. (3) A participating institution shall offer an exemption under this section to a student meeting the eligibility requirements established in subsection (e) of this section, except that an institution is not required to offer exemptions beyond those funded through appropriations specifically designated for this purpose. An institution may establish criteria by which applicants are prioritized if appropriated funds are insufficient to offer an exemption to all eligible students for a given term.
   4. (4) A participating institution shall use institutional matching funds to cover at least 10 percent of each recipient's exemption.
4. (d) Institutional Responsibilities. Institutions participating in the Program shall disburse funds in accordance with §22.2 of this title (relating to Timely Disbursement of Funds), retain records in accordance with §22.4 of this title (relating to Records Retention) and comply with the provisions of §22.9 of this title (relating to Institutional Responsibilities) with respect to the Program.

5. (e) Eligible Students. To be eligible to receive an exemption under this section, a student must:

   1. (1) Submit a completed application for an exemption to the student's institution;
   2. (2) Be a Resident of Texas, as defined in §22.1 of this title (relating to Definitions);
   3. (3) Have met the definition of Educational Aide established in subsection (b) of this section at some time during the last five years preceding the term or semester for which the student would receive an initial exemption;
   4. (4) Be employed in any capacity by a school district or open-enrollment charter school in Texas during the full term for which the student would receive the exemption;
   5. (5) Show financial need, as defined in §13.460 of this subchapter;
   6. (6) be enrolled at an eligible institution in courses required for teacher certification in one or more subject areas determined by the Commissioner of Education to be experiencing a critical shortage at the public schools of this state;
   7. (7) meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements described by §13.463 of this subchapter (relating to Satisfactory Academic Progress) unless granted a hardship waiver by the institution in accordance with §13.464 of this subchapter (relating to Hardship Provisions); and
   8. (8) meet applicable standards outlined in §22.3 of this title (relating to Student Compliance with Selective Service Registration).

6. (f) Notwithstanding subsection (e)(6) of this section, a student who previously received an exemption under this section remain eligible if the student:

   1. (1) is enrolled at an eligible institution in courses required for teacher certification; and
   2. (2) meets the eligibility requirements of subsection (e) of this section other than the requirement in subsection (e)(6).
7. (g) Exemption Amount. A student receiving an exemption under this section is exempt from the payment of resident tuition and required fees, other than laboratory and class fees, taken during the relevant term.

8. (h) Allocations. Allocations are to be determined on an annual basis as follows:

   1. (1) All eligible institutions will be invited annually to participate in the program allocation process, as described by subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section.
   2. (2) The annual appropriation will be divided equally between all participating institutions.
   3. (3) Allocation calculations will be shared with all eligible institutions for comment prior to final posting. Institutions will be given 10 business days, beginning the day of the notice's distribution and excluding state holidays, to confirm their interest in participating in the program.
9. (i) Exemption from Student Teaching. A person who has not previously received a baccalaureate degree and who receives a baccalaureate degree required for a teaching certificate on the basis of coursework completed while receiving an exemption under this section may not be required to participate in any field experience of internship consisting of student teaching to receive a teaching certificate.

Source Note:The provisions of this §13.472 adopted to be effective November 13, 2025, 50 TexReg 7253.