Dependent Tuition Assistance

Beginning in Fall 2025, tuition and mandatory fee assistance opportunities are available for the spouses and dependents of Texas A&M University – San Antonio (A&M SA) employees.

Purpose

The purpose of the Texas A&M University – San Antonio Dependent Education Benefit Program is to encourage and assist immediate family members (spouse and dependent children) of eligible employees* in obtaining a university-level education. As an institution of higher education, encouraging and supporting higher learning for and among its employees and their dependents is essential.

Benefit

Texas A&M University – San Antonio (A&M SA) offers a 50% reduction on assessed tuition (statutory, designated, differential and board authorized) and mandatory fees (excluding costs associated with room and board, meal plans, textbooks, supplies, transportation and parking) as a benefit for dependent family members of eligible employees. This is a grant program that pays as “last dollar” and will not exceed charged tuition and fees. The student is eligible for other aid and scholarships as determined by Financial Aid. This grant benefit will not be included in the student’s financial aid refund package. Enrollment will be verified consistently with existing procedures leveraged for other Financial Aid.

General Admission, Enrollment and Academic Standing Requirements

Dependents and spouses of eligible employees who have applied and been accepted to an A&M SA degree program and are enrolled may apply for the A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit Program. The dependents of eligible employees must maintain a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA (undergraduate) and must meet satisfactory academic progress and maintain eligibility at A&M SA to receive this benefit.

Deadlines for Dependent Tuition Assistance Program

The deadline to submit the fully completed Dependent Education Benefit Request Form is the payment deadline of the requested term which can be found on the Academic Calendar. Eligible employees will complete the A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit Request Form for each term their dependent or spouse is enrolled.  The employee must apply and submit by the deadline to receive the benefit for the specified term. No payments will be applied retroactively. No credits will be applied for prior terms. No refund will be included in your financial aid refund package for this benefit.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Financial Aid Office has final determination following federal rules regarding what is reduced first if over- rewarded on aid. Financial Aid will assist with determining eligibility for other scholarships and financial aid for unmet need.

• In the event of an eligible employee's approved leave of absence, the employee's eligible dependent(s) will remain eligible until no longer reported as a dependent on the employee's tax return. Dependent's eligibility will also terminate if the employee does not return to work after the approved leave of absence.
• In the event of any change in employment status under which an employee no longer meets the eligibility criteria under the tuition plan protocols, the employee's eligible dependent(s) will remain eligible to receive A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit through the end of the most current enrolled academic term.

The A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit will be allocated after federal financial aid. In some cases, the A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit may affect the amount awarded in federal or state aid, or institutional scholarships (except for Pell). However, the student may be eligible for other financial aid awards to augment the A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit based upon a student’s unmet need:

• Need-based scholarship and related funding (e.g., Pell Grant);
• Scholarship funds directly awarded from the academic department or college of the major of the employee or dependent(s);
• Talent scholarships (e.g., athletics, distinguished scholar, etc.) at levels approved by the awarding division.

Requirements:
1. Dependent Tuition Assistance form must be submitted by the A&M SA eligible employee*.
2. The A&M SA employee must be a full-time employee in a budgeted, benefits-eligible position for at least one year.
3. The deadline to submit the fully completed Dependent Education Benefit Request Form is payment deadline of the requested term which can be found on the Academic Calendar.
4. Eligible degrees: First baccalaureate degree.
5. Dependent must have Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form on file.

Employee Eligibility             

TAMUSA has defined eligibility for this benefit as follows:

• Full-time Faculty or Staff working in a budgeted, benefits-eligible position with A&M SA. Employees in full or partly funded grant positions are not eligible.
• A&M SA employees must have completed one (1) year of employment in a budgeted, benefits-eligible position to be eligible for this program.
• Student Workers, Graduate Student Employees, Adjuncts, and Visiting Professors are not eligible.

Dependent Eligibility

• IRS Code Section 132(h) allows spouses and qualified dependents to be considered when receiving this benefit. IRS guidelines define a qualified dependent in Publication 501. Employees will be required to certify the eligibility of each dependent requesting this benefit.

Program Considerations and Limitations

A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit Program will apply to current term charges for courses enrolled after the employee reaches eligibility and obtains approval.

• Students will be notified if the application is denied at any of the steps subject to the application review process outlined above.
• Retroactive applications for previous terms will be automatically denied.
• The employee must reapply for each subsequent term to continue with the tuition and fees benefit.
• The employees’ dependent will be eligible for a total of 8 semesters and 4 summer sessions which must be consecutive. *
  • * The dependent will be limited to only one semester request exception to utilizing the dependent benefit consecutively.
• The A&M SA Dependent Education Benefit Program is applicable to the pursuit of a first baccalaureate degree by the employee's eligible dependent(s).
• Certificate programs, non-degree seeking enrollment, or second degrees at any level are excluded from the tuition and fees benefit.
• The University reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate the A&M Dependent Education Benefit Program at any time.

Tax Considerations and Limitations

The University does not provide individual tax advice to participants in the tuition and fee reduction benefit; however, a summary of general information regarding the federal tax treatment of benefits under the program is below. Individuals with questions about the tax treatment of benefits provided under the plan should contact a personal tax consultant or advisor.

• This Tuition and Fee reduction benefit is classified as a remission and meets the definition of a qualified tuition reduction under IRS Code Section 117(d).
• IRS Code Section 132(h) allows spouses and qualified dependents to be considered as employees for purposes of receiving this benefit.
• Generally, an employee and their tax-qualifying dependent(s) can earn their first undergraduate degree without incurring any taxable benefit liability as per Section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• There may be tax implications on the 1042S for international employees and their dependents

*Eligible employees – full-time employees who have completed one year of service to Texas A&M University – San Antonio and are in a budgeted position.  Employees in full or partly funded grant positions are not eligible.

*Jaguar Promise Grant – recipients of Jaguar Promise are not eligible for the Dependent Education Benefit Program.

* The dependent will be limited to only one semester request exception to utilizing the dependent benefit consecutively.  

To request dependent tuition assistance, visit the link below, click on Human Resources, then select Request Dependent Education Benefit, and complete the form.

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