TTU K-12 Program Now Tuition-Free to Texas Residents

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

TTU K-12, part of Texas Tech University’s eLearning & Academic Partnerships announced in July it can now offer a tuition-free program to eligible Texas residents.

The State of Texas has designated TTU K-12 eligible to receive state funding, and beginning in August, the online school will offer a tuition-free K-12 academic program. Officials say however, enrollment will be limited. State law requires that selection be conducted through a lottery to choose students for existing admission slots each semester.

“We are happy and excited to be able to offer our nationally ranked kindergarten through 12th-grade program free to Texas residents,” said Justin Louder, interim superintendent for TTU K-12. “This program will be offered in addition to the current options we provide our students.”

Louder said there are specific requirements students must follow for the tuition-free program that are different from the paid program, so he urges potential students and parents to read them carefully.

The first lottery selection took place on Aug. 2. TTU K-12 received nearly 600 applications from all grade levels by the date of the lottery. Because enrollment is limited, the program was able to select about 500 students for the first semester. Once a student has been accepted, they are part of the free program until they graduate or withdraw.

Applications received during the Aug. 2-12 lottery were placed on a waiting list, and those students will be admitted as slots become available. At this time, applications for all full-time programs are closed until the next lottery selection on Dec. 15.

TTU K-12 began in 1993 as a “Special Purpose District” designed to help students whose educational needs were not adequately met by traditional school districts. Since then, it has grown to serve students across the country and more than 70 nations around the world.

In addition to its full-time diploma track, the school offers individual courses and credit by exams that help students graduate on time or early, make up failed credits, take courses not offered in their school, earn credits during the summer without attending traditional summer school, supplement their school or homeschool curriculum, and work at a pace that is right for them.