Background

Increasing access to higher education for all students is a priority for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Approximately 6000 Texas students graduating in the top 10% are missing from our higher education enrollments. As a result, institutions are losing opportunities to serve academically talented students, especially African American, Hispanic, and other underrepresented populations.

In turn, these students may be missing out on earning credentials of value that will help them compete in an ever-changing and demanding workforce.

To help combat this problem, THECB worked with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and enrollment and admission leadership at institutions of higher education (IHEs) in Texas to develop and launch the Texas First Program.

This program comprises two parts:

• A diploma program, which allows students to graduate high school early with a Distinguished Level of Achievement by demonstrating early readiness for college
  
• A scholarship, which awards scholarship credit equivalent to up to one year of the TEXAS Grant at all Texas public institutions.
  

What is the Texas First Diploma Program?

Early graduation has long been an option for high school students in Texas. School districts have developed local policies that allow students to earn credits and meet state graduation requirements on a timeline that best fits the needs of individual students.

The new Texas First Program sets state-wide standards that promote efficiency in public education and incentivizes the enrollment of high-performing students at eligible universities. By creating this pathway, THECB hopes to increase access to higher education for high-achieving students who otherwise may not take this path.

A student who graduates early through the Texas First Program is considered to have earned a diploma with a Distinguished Level of Achievement! Districts are required to provide this designation on students’ Academic Achievement Record and/or diploma.

Students who graduate early and earn a Texas First Diploma receive a scholarship at participating institutions.

FAFSA or TAFSA Completion

Students must complete the FAFSA or TAFSA during the school year in which they intend to graduate.

Part of fulfilling the Texas First Diploma requirements involves demonstrating subject area mastery in 5 subjects - English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies & World Languages. Students only need to show mastery by completing ONE of the items from each subject area. The following is a list of ways TVAH students can show mastery in each of the 5 subject areas in order to fulfill this diploma requirement.

Students are responsible for sending in score reports as documentation to their counselors to track progress on subject mastery.

The following graduation plans are examples of what a student who is pursing the Texas First Diploma could follow. Students would begin 9th grade on the Multidisciplinary Endorsement track and then at the end of 9th grade declare their intention to pursue the Texas First Diploma. The Texas First Program does not specifically define all of the required coursework, but students must earn at least 22 high school credits. Graduation plans will need to be individualized based on the student’s interests, needs, strengths & weaknesses. Students also have the option to take core classes at an advanced level (honors, advanced placement or dual credit) if they choose to do so.

In this plan, the student could take the ACT test at the end of Year 2 & show subject area mastery in 4 subjects with the following ACT scores - English: 18+, Math: 22+, Science: 23+, Reading: 22+. To show subject area mastery in World Languages the student could take either the AP Spanish exam and score a 3+ or one of the 2 CLEP Spanish exams and score a 50+.

In this plan, the student could take the ACT test at the end of Year 2 & show subject area mastery in 4 subjects with the following ACT scores - English: 18+, Math: 22+, Science: 23+, Reading: 22+. To show subject area mastery in World Languages the student could take either the AP Computer Science Principles exam or the AP Computer Science A exam and score a 3+.

Texas First Program: Scholarship Requirements

In addition to early graduation, the Texas First Program provides students with a financial incentive to meet these requirements.

Students who graduate on the Texas First Program are considered to have met the eligibility requirements for a scholarship credit equivalent to up to one year of the TEXAS Grant, or a maximum of $16,137, at all Texas public institutions.

Note: Admission is not guaranteed to colleges and universities based on completion of the Texas First Program. Students must still complete the application and admission process in order to receive scholarship funds. Additionally, students should be aware that the top 10% calculation for the Texas First Program may also qualify for Texas’ Automatic Admissions Policy.

Students who graduate early with a Texas First Diploma may apply to any college or university they choose. However, the scholarship will apply only at the Texas public institution of higher education where they have been admitted.

The scholarship offer will expire at the end of the first academic year following a student’s graduation, so students are encouraged to attend college directly after high school.

School counselors must verify that the student’s top 10% ranking meets the requirements for Automatic Admission, and provide notification of eligibility.

Steps to Complete the

Texas First Diploma

Step 1: Carefully review ALL program requirements and information found in this site PRIOR to deciding to pursue this diploma.

Step 2: Review additional documentation posted by the state at the following links -

• The Texas First Program (by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board)
  
• Texas First Diploma Flyer
  
• Texas First Early High School Completion Program (by TEA)
• Texas First by the Texas Administrative Code
• Texas First Scholarship

Step 3: Begin 9th grade on the Multidisciplinary Endorsement track

Step 4: At the end of 9th grade, complete the survey (will be sent out by counselors) to declare your intention to pursue the Texas First Diploma.

Step 5: Maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, pass all STAAR EOC tests

Step 6: Demonstrate subject area mastery in each of the 5 required subjects and submit your test scores as documentation to your counselor

Step 7: Complete the FAFSA or TAFSA during the school year that you intend to graduate.

Step 8: The student’s counselor submits student information and documentation to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for review. Once THECB confirms the student’s eligibility, the student is issued a Certificate of Eligibility by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Once the student is a confirmed recipient of the Texas First Diploma, they must enroll in a Texas Public University in order to receive their scholoarship.