Good Neighbor Program
(Students from Other Nations of the American/Western Hemisphere)

Program Purpose

The purpose of this program is to:

  • Provide a tuition exemption to students from certain nations of the Western Hemisphere
  • Encourage students to pursue higher education in the state of Texas and establish beneficial relationships between the state of Texas and the students’ home countries

NOTE: This webpage is intended to provide basic information for the public by highlighting requirements that appear in the Texas Education Code (TEC) and Texas Administrative Code (TAC). When reviewing eligibility requirements this exemption program, you should always refer to the relevant statutes and rules. The information on this webpage is to be used solely as a resource and does not override the statute or rules for this exemption program. It is not intended as, and does not constitute, legal advice.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this exemption, the applicant must:

  • Be a native-born citizen and resident of an eligible country.
  • Be lawfully present in the United States.
  • Intend to return to the eligible country to live after completing the program of study.
  • Have resided in the Western Hemisphere for at least five years.
  • Not be a member of the Communist Party.
  • Have met the basic scholastic and other admissions requirements of the applicant’s institution.
  • Have filed a Selective Service statement of registration status with their institution.
  • Be recommended for the exemption by a participating institution that the applicant currently attends or will attend.

If selected for the exemption, the recipient must:

  • Meet the institution’s financial aid GPA requirement following each semester or term during the 12-month award period.
  • Not have attempted an excessive number of semester credit hours as an undergraduate student (see TEC Section 54.014).

Note: A recipient who does not meet the GPA requirement or excessive hour restriction may qualify for a hardship exception; contact your participating institution for more information.

Eligible Institutions

Texas public colleges and universities can choose to participate in the exemption program but are not required to participate.

Access a list of all public institutions of higher education in Texas.

Exemption Amount

An eligible student will receive an exemption from the payment of tuition for 12 months beginning with the fall term or semester.

Exemption from tuition is only for courses in which the institution receives formula funding (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs).

Students may be eligible to reapply for the tuition exemption in subsequent years and should check with their participating institution regarding the process.

Application Process

If interested in this program, contact the student financial aid office or the international student affairs office at the institution. The student deadline for this program can vary; check with the institution to confirm specific submission deadlines.

The deadline for participating institutions to submit student recommendation forms to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is March 15.

Additional Information

  • For questions, contact the specific Texas public college or university.
  • Program statute: TEC Section 54.331
  • Clarifying rules: TAC, Title 19, Chapter 13, Subchapter P, Section 13.471
  • For general questions, call 888-311-8881 or submit an online inquiry through Contact Us (select “Financial Aid Question” for the subject under Contact Reason).