Texas First Program

Program Details (Website)

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

Students who graduate two or more semesters before their class receive a two-semester scholarship, equivalent to the amount of the TEXAS grant, to a participating college, university, or technical college. Students who graduate one semester early receive a one-semester scholarship to a participating institution of higher education. Students may also be eligible for additional financial aid at most of these institutions. 

The Texas First Diploma does not guarantee automatic admission for students. Students should ask their counselor if their grade point average at graduation qualifies them for automatic admission under the state’s top 10 percent law. 

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. 

Program Overview (PDF Flyer)

Senate Bill 1888, 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, added Texas Education Code §28.0253, which establishes the Texas First Early High School Completion Program to allow public high school students who demonstrate early readiness for college to graduate early from high school. 

The purpose of the Texas First Early High School Completion Program, in conjunction with the Texas First Scholarship Program (Texas Education Code, Chapter 56, Subchapter K-1), is to promote efficiency in the state public education system and incentivize the enrollment of high-performing students at eligible institutions within the state of Texas. 

More information regarding the Texas First Early High School Completion Program is available on the Texas Education Agency’s Texas First Early High School Completion Program page and on THECB’s The Texas First Program page.  

For additional information, please contact the THECB at studentsuccess@highered.texas.gov. 

Eligible students must demonstrate college readiness in academics and attitude. Eligibility requirements include the following: 

• Texas residency 

• Completion of the graduation requirement related to financial aid applications. (Texas Education Code, Title 2, Section 28.0256)

• At least 22 high school credits 

• Final GPA equivalent to 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale 

• Overall score in at least the 80th percentile on one or more of the following assessments: ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, TSIA/TSIA2, or GED; or, alternatively, a GPA in the top 10 percent of the student’s class. (see chart below in the 'Approved Tests & Required Scores' section)

• Completion of the STAAR EOC exams in English I or II, Algebra I, and Biology, or completion of eligible substitute assessments 

• Demonstration of mastery in each subject area of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and a language other than English 

Students should contact their counselor to learn more about this program and verify their eligibility.