Peace Officer
Purpose of the program
The Peace Officer Loan Repayment Assistance Program helps peace officers repay eligible student loans.
For more details, review Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 23, Subchapter H.
How to apply
The application portal for the Peace Officer Loan Repayment Assistance Program is now available in the new Grant and Aid Processing Platform (GAPP) system. To complete an application, click here. Applications are accepted year-round.
You will need:
- An official copy of your transcript from each institution of higher education in Texas you have attended
- Your Personal Status Report
- Information about your student loan balances, account numbers, and loan holders
- The email address for your Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). You CAO may be your supervisor or other official who is authorized to verify employment information. After you have submitted your application, we will email a service verification form to your CAO.
FOR CONTINUING POLRAP PARTCIPANTS: When creating an account in GAPP, you must use the same email address, first name, and last name entered on your prior application. Once your account has been created, please clear your cache, and then log in. If your email or name has changed, please contact us through the GAPP Help Desk prior to creating a new account.
Please note that changing your email address within the GAPP system will not change your GAPP username.
Eligibility requirements
To receive loan repayment assistance a peace officer must:
- Meet the definition of “peace officer” as described in Article 2.12, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
- Be initially hired as a full-time peace officer on or after September 1, 2019
- Have earned at least 60 semester credit hours at an eligible institution of higher education in Texas before first appointment as a peace officer
- Have completed at least one year of employment as a full-time peace officer in Texas
- Be currently employed as a full-time peace officer
Award amount
- Annual award amounts are 20% of the total unpaid eligible loan balance up to $4,000.
- An individual may not receive loan repayment help for more than five consecutive years.
- The total amount of loan repayment assistance is not to exceed $20,000 over a five-year period.
Please note that loan repayment awards are reported to the Internal Revenue Service by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Eligible loans
The following apply for a loan to be eligible for repayment:
- There must be a promissory note which required the loan to be used for educational expenses at an eligible Texas institution for a semester/term that ended in the five years before the individuals first job as a peace officer
- Must not be in default at the time of application
- Must not have an existing service obligation
- Must not be subject to repayment through another student repayment or loan forgiveness program
Frequently asked questions
I began service as a peace officer prior to September 1, 2019, am I eligible for loan repayment?
- No. The law states that your initial appointment as a peace officer must have begun on or after September 1, 2019.
Do I have to apply each year?
- Yes. Applicants who were enrolled in the program with their initial applications must submit a renewal application upon completion of each year of eligible service.
What is considered full-time?
- Full-time is at least 40 hours per week for a minimum of 45 weeks per year.
Can I receive payment for part-time service or reserve time?
- No. A recipient must be employed full-time to be eligible for loan repayment assistance.