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Click on the headings to the right to view the information provided about that specific portion of the Texas First Diploma opportunity.
Program Background Information
Program Background Information
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?
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.
Program Requirements Overview
Program Requirements Overview
High School Credits
The Texas First Program does not specifically define all of the required coursework, but students must earn at least 22 high school credits. In addition, students are not required to meet Foundation High School program credit requirements in order to graduate under this program. Besides credits earned through high school courses, students may also earn credits through dual credit, dual enrollment, credit-by-exam, or other district-approved programs.
Subject Area Mastery
Students must demonstrate mastery in the following subject areas:
English/Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Language other than English
Students can demonstrate mastery by meeting one or more of the following criteria:
Earn a C or higher in a dual credit or dual enrollment course that meets Texas Common Core Curriculum requirements.
Meet the college readiness standards on additional assessments such as SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP, and IB. To see the minimum required scores, download the Texas First Early High School Completion Program Subject Area Assessments and Benchmarks Table.
Texas Residency
Students must be residents of Texas in order to be eligible.
College Readiness Testing
Students must demonstrate college readiness by earning an overall scaled score in at least the 80th percentile on one or more of the following assessments: ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, TSIA/TSIA2, GED. Scores needed in order to meet the 80th percentile requirement can be found in the Subject Area Assessments & Benchmarks Chart.
Students can also meet this requirement by earning a GPA that ranks them in the top 10% of the student’s current class during the semester prior to the student’s graduation.
STAAR EOC Exams
Students must meet STAAR EOC exam requirements for the English 1 or English 2, Algebra 1, and Biology exams by either achieving Approaches Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, or Masters Grade Level for each test.
Students can also meet this requirement by achieving a passing score on a substitute assessment for that subject area authorized under Title 19 Texas Administrative Code.
Grade Point Average
Students must earn a final grade point average (GPA) equivalent to a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
FAFSA or TAFSA Completion
Students must complete the FAFSA or TAFSA during the school year in which they intend to graduate.
Subject Area Mastery
Subject Area Mastery
English Language Arts
CLEP Test - Any of the 6 options from Composition & Literature with score of 50+
Dual Credit English 3A, 3B, 4A or 4B - earn a grade of C or higher
On Ramps Rhetoric- earn grade of C or higher
Social Studies
AP World History- AP test score of 3+
AP US History- AP test score of 3+
CLEP Test - Any of the 12 options from History & Social Sciences with score of 50+
Dual Credit Government or Psychology - earn grade of C or higher
On Ramps US History- earn grade of C or higher
Mathematics
CLEP Test - Precalculus, Calculus, College Algebra, or College Mathematics with score of 50+
On Ramps College Algebra- earn grade of C or higher
On Ramps Pre-Cal- earn grade of C or higher
Science
CLEP Test - Biology, Chemistry, or Natural Sciences with score of 50+
On Ramps Chemistry- grade of C or higher
On Ramps Physics- grade of C or higher
**Students are responsible for sending in score reports as documentation to their counselors to track progress on subject mastery. **
Texas First & Graduation Information
Texas First & Graduation Information
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.
Students will need to work with their counselor to create a graduation plan that is tailored to their needs and post-secondary plans. *It is also good to note that the 22 credit requirements for the Texas First Diploma may not meet admissions requirements at all colleges and universities.
Students and families will need to work with the college or university directly to verify admissions requirements for their respective post-secondary institution.
Texas First Program: Scholarship Requirements
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 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.
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
Steps to Complete the Texas First Diploma
Step 1: Carefully review ALL program requirements and information PRIOR to deciding to pursue this diploma.
Step 2: Review additional documentation posted by the state at the following links -
Step 3: Begin 9th grade on the Multidisciplinary Endorsement track
Step 4: At the end of 9th grade, or ASAP, meet with your counselor to declare your intention to pursue the Texas First Diploma. They will give you an Early Graduation packet.
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.
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