Dependent Child Tuition Program

Texas State University recognizes that employees and their families are at the heart of what we do. Supporting Texas State families helps us all succeed. As part of our continuous goal of enhancing the Texas State University employee benefits package, we are pleased to share a valuable addition to an already rich program.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, Texas State University will provide a 25% undergraduate designated tuition benefit to dependent children of benefit-eligible employees.

Effective in the Fall 2024 semester, this benefit will increase from 25% to 50%.

Before applying, please explore the eligibility requirements, benefits breakdown, and frequently asked questions below.

Dependent Child Tuition Applications

Spring 2025

Eligibility

Process

FAQs

Eligibility

This program is open to qualified dependent children (as defined by the IRS) of active, benefit-eligible employees of Texas State University (TXST) and the Texas State University System (TSUS) housed at TXST who have:

been admitted as an undergraduate student of Texas State University
and
submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)*

*Offer and acceptance of financial aid is not required in order to receive the dependent child tuition benefit; however, a completed FAFSA must be on file.

Provided you meet all other eligibility criteria, there is:

no waiting period for the dependent child tuition benefit
no limit or cap on the number of dependent children who may qualify for the dependent child tuition benefit
no minimum or maximum semester credit hour (SCH) to qualify for the dependent child tuition benefit
no degree-seeking classification requirement (i.e., the benefit may be applied to students enrolled as non-degree-seeking (non-matriculating))

Process

Step 1: Qualified dependent child is admitted to TXST as an undergraduate student through the admissions process.
If already admitted, skip to Step 2.

Step 2: Student submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrolls in classes.

Step 3: Employee completes and submits the Dependent Child Tuition Benefit Application and Tax Attestation form along with supporting documentation* to Human Resources for verification of dependent child relationship. Human Resources notifies employee of application approval/denial.

Step 4: If approved, Student Business Services applies dependent tuition benefit to the student’s account.

Step 5: Student Business Services reports the tuition benefit amount to the Payroll and Tax Compliance Office. Based on the information provided by the employee on the Dependent Child Tuition Benefit Application and Tax Attestation form, Payroll and Tax Compliance Office will determine if the benefit is taxable.
If taxable, the applicable amount will be added to an employee’s gross taxable wages on the employee’s next paycheck for the appropriate payroll tax withholding.

*Required Supporting Documentation

Dependent	Supporting Documentation
Biological Child	Government-issued birth certificate
Adopted Child	Adoption certificate OR Adoption Placement Agreement AND Petition for Adoption
Stepchild	Government-issued marriage certificate OR Declaration of Informal Marriage with the county courthouse AND Government-issued birth certificate
Child of Managing Conservator	Managing conservatorship court document signed by a judge
Foster Child	Placement order AND Affidavit of Foster Child
Legal Ward	Court order signed by a judge appointing participant as the child's guardian (documentation of legal custody) AND Government-issued birth certificate
Other Child	Government-issued birth certificate OR Government-issued marriage license to prove family relationship

Dependent

Supporting Documentation

Biological Child

Government-issued birth certificate

Adopted Child

Adoption certificate
OR
Adoption Placement Agreement AND Petition for Adoption

Stepchild

Government-issued marriage certificate OR
Declaration of Informal Marriage with the county courthouse
AND
Government-issued birth certificate

Child of Managing Conservator

Managing conservatorship court document signed by a judge

Foster Child

Placement order AND Affidavit of Foster Child

Legal Ward

Court order signed by a judge appointing participant as the child's guardian (documentation of legal custody) AND Government-issued birth certificate

Other Child

Government-issued birth certificate
OR
Government-issued marriage license to prove family relationship

All forms must be submitted prior to the academic term census date.
Census dates occur on the twelfth-class day for the fall or spring semesters and the fourth-class day for the summer term. For specific calendar dates, please see the Academic Calendar.

If the deadline (i.e., academic term census date) in a semester has passed, the benefit will apply in the next academic term, provided there are no changes in an employee or dependent’s eligibility. Employees must submit a new Dependent Child Tuition Benefit Application and Tax Attestation form each calendar year; however, documentation of dependent child relationship is only required once, upon initial application. Documentation will be held in a secure file in the Human Resources department.
The dependent child tuition benefit program starts in Fall 2023 for a pilot period of one year. Benefits will be applied from Fall 2023 forward through the duration of the program. The dependent child tuition benefit program cannot be applied retroactively.
The dependent child tuition benefit should apply to the student account within 3 days of application approval. Please contact Student Business Services if the benefit isn't applied after 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand FAQ List

Eligibility Questions
- What happens to the dependent child tuition benefit if my child will turn 25 years old during the current calendar year?
  
  The dependent child tuition benefit applies to children up to age 24. If the dependent child is turning 25 years old during that calendar year, they are not eligible to receive the benefit.
- What if I separate from employment during the semester?
  
  Following the census and application of the dependent child tuition benefit, the benefit will remain on the student(s) account through the end of the academic term in which you meet the eligibility criteria.
- What if I work for another university within the TSUS system; am I eligible?
  
  No. This benefit is available to TSUS employees who are housed at and serve Texas State University (i.e., Office of General Counsel, Internal Audit, etc.).
Financial Questions
- Is the dependent child tuition benefit taxable to the employee?
  
  Employees who receive the dependent child tuition benefit and complete the Dependent Child Tuition Benefit Application and Tax Attestation form indicating they are exempt from taxation, and the dependent child is considered a full-time student within the calendar year, will not be taxed on the benefit.
  
  For employees who attest on the form that the benefit is taxable to them, the benefit will be reported as wages and is subject to appropriate tax withholding in accordance with IRS guidelines.
  
  If the dependent child was not considered a full-time student within the calendar year, the benefit will be reported as wages and the same withholding rules apply.
- How will an employee know if this benefit is taxable?
  - If your student is younger than 19, they are eligible for the benefit without it being a taxable fringe benefit regardless of full-time enrollment.
  - If your student is 19 years to 24 years:
    1. Full-time: Tuition Waiver Eligible and the benefit is a non-taxable fringe benefit.
    2. Part-time: Tuition Waiver Eligible and the benefit is a taxable fringe benefit.
- My spouse and I are both TXST benefit-eligible employees. Does the dependent child tuition benefit double?
  
  The dependent child tuition benefit is capped at 25% of the designated tuition per student.
- Will this affect my financial aid?
  
  The 25% dependent child tuition benefit will be considered in your total financial aid need and cost of attendance calculations and will be applied as a first-dollar benefit.
- If my dependent child has a scholarship or other combination of financial aid that already covers 100% of the amount billed by the university for tuition, can I get a refund for some or all of the 25% tuition benefit?
  
  The dependent child tuition benefit is not refundable, but other forms of financial aid may become refundable after the benefit is applied.
- What is "designated" tuition?
  
  Designated tuition is used for faculty & staff salary positions, new academic programs, other strategic initiatives, and financial aid.
  
  To learn more about tuition and fee definitions, please visit the Student Business Services website.
- Do I have to qualify for financial aid to get the tuition benefit?
  
  You must submit a FAFSA, but you do not have to qualify or accept the financial aid to receive the benefit.
Academic Performance Questions
- What happens to the dependent child tuition benefit if the student does not make satisfactory academic progress (SAP)?
  
  The dependent child tuition benefit is not contingent upon SAP and will continue to be applied if all other eligibility criteria are met.
- What happens to the dependent child tuition benefit in the instance where my child withdraws from a class(es)?
  
  If a student with a dependent child tuition benefit withdraws between the 100% and 0% withdrawal period, the 25% tuition benefit will be applied proportionately towards the designated tuition owed.
- What if my dependent child needs to repeat a course(s)?
  
  Course repeats are permitted; however, all fees including course repeats are the responsibility of the student. This benefit does not cover any fees.