If you’re a Texas public administrator, you have access to an amazing resource that can cover the cost of your college education: tuition reimbursement.  

Thanks to the State Employees Training Act, state agencies can use public funds for employee training and education. Here’s how it works: Your employer covers some or all of your tuition. In return, you gain valuable skills to bring back to your career, and you walk away with a respected degree or certificate. It’s a win-win!   

You’ve devoted your career to serving the people of Texas. The least we can do is lend a helping hand. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed (but not exhaustive) list of tuition reimbursement opportunities available to Texas employees.  

What Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities Are Available for Texas Employees?   

You’ve got a few ways to explore tuition reimbursement. Start by reaching out to your employer: HR or your manager are good places to begin. They’ll have the most up-to-date information on what’s available and how it can help advance your career.  

As for searching on your own, you can either:  

  • Check online to see if your employer offers any tuition reimbursement programs; or 
  • Look into opportunities your city might provide. 

Search By Employer  

Texas has 113 government agencies, each with its own approach to tuition reimbursement. Here’s a breakdown of what some of the larger agencies in the state offer when it comes to covering educational costs. 

Full-time employees of The University of Texas System can take courses at accredited colleges or universities to sharpen their skills and elevate their performance in current or future roles. After successful completion of approved undergraduate or graduate courses, employees are eligible for up to $4,500 in reimbursement for tuition and related fees. 

Visit the UT System’s Tuition Assistance page for a complete rundown on eligibility requirements and the application process.  

Eligible employees can receive tuition reimbursement for courses, including online courses, taken at accredited colleges and universities. The policy covers up to $5,000 in tuition expenses per fiscal year, so long as courses are related to an employee’s current or future role.  

For more on eligibility requirements and applying, read the Texas Health and Human Services Tuition Reimbursement Policy.    

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offers tuition reimbursement for full-time employees looking to sharpen job-related skills or prepare for changes in duties resulting from technological advancements or procedural improvements. TDCJ covers up to $5,000 in tuition expenses per fiscal year.  

To learn more about eligibility requirements and apply, visit the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s EmpowerEdu page.   

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) offers tuition assistance to eligible employees pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university. TxDOT covers up to $5,000 in tuition expenses per semester, but a maximum of 10 employees are accepted to the program each year.  

Click here for an overview of TxDOT’s Tuition Assistance Program, including information on degree paths, eligibility requirements, and repayments.  

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) provides tuition reimbursement for employees taking courses at accredited institutions, subject to available funding. Courses must directly benefit the agency, and employees must submit a written request for reimbursement to their division management and the Human Resources Division before finishing the coursework.  

Visit the OAG’s Employee Development page to learn more about tuition reimbursement and other training and educational opportunities.  

Search By City  

There are over 1,200 municipalities in Texas, from metropolises like Houston to local communities like Odessa and Midland. Here’s a look at the tuition reimbursement policies available in some of these Texas cities: 

Odessa offers tuition reimbursement to employees looking to sharpen job-related skills and competencies. Employees must submit evidence of satisfactory course completion (a grade of C or above). If courses are taken at a local university, such as UT Permian Basin, employees receive full tuition reimbursement and 50% coverage for fees and book costs.  

Click here for additional information on Odessa’s tuition reimbursement policies.  

Midland encourages employees to further their education in areas that will enhance their contributions to city services. To help, the city offers tuition reimbursement, subject to available department funding. Reimbursement totals depend on prior approval, course completion, and grades.  

Additional information on Midland’s Educational Assistance Program can be found here.  

San Antonio offers tuition assistance to full-time employees, grant-funded workers, and police and fire academy trainees. Reimbursement is available for both in-person and online undergraduate or graduate courses at accredited institutions, as long as the courses are tied to the employee’s career growth within the city. 

Click here to learn more about San Antonio’s Tuition Assistance Program, including how to apply.  

Dallas encourages its employees to seek out professional development, offering tuition reimbursement for those looking to build new skills and knowledge that benefit both themselves and the city. 

To learn more about Tuition Reimbursement policy, visit the Dallas Educational Partnerships SharePoint site or email HR Compensation at hrcompensation@dallas.gov.  

Austin offers tuition reimbursement to employees looking to enhance their job skills and career potential. Once past the new hire probationary period, employees in non-temporary positions are eligible for reimbursement after their new hire probationary period, provided they take courses at an accredited college or university.  

To learn more about Austin’s Tuition Reimbursement Program and the application process, visit the Compensation page on CitySpace. You can also contact the Tuition Reimbursement Coordinator by phone at 512-974-3227 or email at tuitionreimbursement@austintexas.gov.  

Maximize Your Tuition Reimbursement 

No matter your role, whether you’re in management, administration, or social services, there’s a place for you at UT Permian Basin.  

Our online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program will empower you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials you need to advance your career in the public sector. You can align your studies to match your career goals by choosing one of three focus areas:  

Not seeing a focus area that fits? You can choose elective courses in areas such as marketing, organizational behavior, public relations, law, education, healthcare, and criminal justice. Whichever path you choose, your courses will be entirely online and, with a little effort on your part, covered by tuition reimbursement.  

Head over to our online MPA program page to see how UT Permian Basin can help you take your career to the next level.