--- title: "The Texas First Program: Rewarding Texas' Early Graduates" description: Hello educators! We had a wonderful Professional Learning session on February 11 showcasing updates and data related to the Texas First Program. image: https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/TXOC%20Professional%20Learning%20Series%20Header_1200x675_01%20Updated-1.png --- ![magnifying glass](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/search-icon.svg) Search [![Texas OnCourse](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/Texas%20OnCourse.png)](https://texasoncourse.org) - About - [About Us](https://texasoncourse.org/about/) - [Our Response to COVID-19](https://texasoncourse.org/about/the-texas-oncourse-response-to-covid-19-and-college-and-career-readiness/) - [Our Team](https://texasoncourse.org/about/our-team/) - [Our Story](https://texasoncourse.org/about/our-story/) - [Advisory Committee & Partners](https://texasoncourse.org/about/advisory-committees-and-partners/) - [Texas House Bill 18](https://texasoncourse.org/about/texas-house-bill-18/) - [Contact Us](https://texasoncourse.org/about/contact-us/) - What's New - [What's New](https://texasoncourse.org/whats-new/) - [Blog](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator) - [Newsroom](https://texasoncourse.org/whats-new/newsroom/) - [Join Our Email List](https://texasoncourse.org/whats-new/newsletter-sign-up/) - Educators - [Curriculum Resources →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/) - [Curriculum](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/texas-oncourse-college-and-career-readiness-curriculum/) - [MiddleGalaxy](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/middlegalaxy/) - [MapMyGrad](https://texasoncourse.org/tools/mapmygrad/) - [Family Guide](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/texas-oncourse-family-guide/) - [Educator Development →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/) - [Academy](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/texas-oncourse-academy/) - [Webinars](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/monthly-webinar-series/) - [Blog](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/blog/) - [Professional Development](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/professional-development-from-texas-oncourse/) - Popular Links - [Endorsements Basics](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/endorsements-basics/) - [Webinar: TSIA2](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/webinar-tsia2/) - [Financial Aid Basics](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/financial-aid-basics/) - [The New Financial Aid Graduation Requirement](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/the-new-financial-aid-graduation-requirement/) - [Additional Resources →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/additional-resources/) - [Resources for Students and Families →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/resources-for-students-and-families/) - District Leaders - Programs For Your District - [District-Wide Solutions](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/district-wide-solutions/) - [Middle School Programs](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/middle-school-programs/) - [High School Programs](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/high-school-programs/) - [District Partners](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/district-fellowship/) - [Resources for You →](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/resources-for-you/) - [DataDive](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/resources-for-you/datadive/) - [The College & Career Strategist](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/resources-for-you/the-college-career-strategist/) - [Accountability and CCMR →](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/accountability-and-ccmr/) - Students & Families - Grade - [Middle School](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/grade-middle-school/) - [Early High School](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/grade-early-high-school/) - [Late High School](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/grade-late-high-school/) - Goal - [Jobs and Careers](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-jobs-and-careers/) - [College Planning](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-college-planning/) - [Applying to College](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-applying-to-college/) - [Endorsements](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-endorsements/) - [Finances](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-finances/) - [Graduation Requirements](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-graduation-requirements/) Search - About - [About Us](https://texasoncourse.org/about/) - [Our Response to COVID-19](https://texasoncourse.org/about/the-texas-oncourse-response-to-covid-19-and-college-and-career-readiness/) - [Our Team](https://texasoncourse.org/about/our-team/) - [Our Story](https://texasoncourse.org/about/our-story/) - [Advisory Committee & Partners](https://texasoncourse.org/about/advisory-committees-and-partners/) - [Texas House Bill 18](https://texasoncourse.org/about/texas-house-bill-18/) - [Contact Us](https://texasoncourse.org/about/contact-us/) - What's New - [What's New](https://texasoncourse.org/whats-new/) - [Blog](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator) - [Newsroom](https://texasoncourse.org/whats-new/newsroom/) - [Join Our Email List](https://texasoncourse.org/whats-new/newsletter-sign-up/) - Educators - [Curriculum Resources →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/) - [Curriculum](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/texas-oncourse-college-and-career-readiness-curriculum/) - [MiddleGalaxy](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/middlegalaxy/) - [MapMyGrad](https://texasoncourse.org/tools/mapmygrad/) - [Family Guide](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/texas-oncourse-family-guide/) - [Educator Development →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/) - [Academy](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/texas-oncourse-academy/) - [Webinars](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/monthly-webinar-series/) - [Blog](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/blog/) - [Professional Development](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/educator-development/professional-development-from-texas-oncourse/) - Popular Links - [Endorsements Basics](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/endorsements-basics/) - [Webinar: TSIA2](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/webinar-tsia2/) - [Financial Aid Basics](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/financial-aid-basics/) - [The New Financial Aid Graduation Requirement](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/popular-links/the-new-financial-aid-graduation-requirement/) - [Additional Resources →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/additional-resources/) - [Resources for Students and Families →](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/resources-for-students-and-families/) - District Leaders - Programs For Your District - [District-Wide Solutions](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/district-wide-solutions/) - [Middle School Programs](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/middle-school-programs/) - [High School Programs](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/high-school-programs/) - [District Partners](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/programs-for-your-district/district-fellowship/) - [Resources for You →](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/resources-for-you/) - [DataDive](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/resources-for-you/datadive/) - [The College & Career Strategist](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/resources-for-you/the-college-career-strategist/) - [Accountability and CCMR →](https://texasoncourse.org/district-leaders/accountability-and-ccmr/) - Students & Families - Grade - [Middle School](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/grade-middle-school/) - [Early High School](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/grade-early-high-school/) - [Late High School](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/grade-late-high-school/) - Goal - [Jobs and Careers](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-jobs-and-careers/) - [College Planning](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-college-planning/) - [Applying to College](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-applying-to-college/) - [Endorsements](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-endorsements/) - [Finances](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-finances/) - [Graduation Requirements](https://texasoncourse.org/students-and-families/goal-graduation-requirements/) # The Texas First Program: Rewarding Texas' Early Graduates Posted by [Jared Garza - Network Marketing Coordinator](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/author/jared-garza-network-marketing-coordinator) on Feb 20, 2025 2:05:25 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### *Digital Learning Opportunities for Educators* Hello, educators! We had an amazing session on February 11 showcasing updates and data related to the Texas First Program. Our expert guest speakers from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) highlighted informational resources to help keep Texas’ best and brightest students on track for postsecondary success [including a student scholarship story](https://youtu.be/9NA1ulIbh3E?si=iiAWqDVyUGnIY-ja&t=2900) that offered educators a unique perspective to the Texas First Program process. Here’s a brief recap of our session:     Overview of Texas First Diploma Program:  The Texas First Early High School Completion program, established by the 87th Texas Legislature, honors Texas’ high achieving students. THECB’s Suzane Morales-Vale highlighted the program’s [minimum requirements](https://txoc-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/PLE+Marketing+Materials/Minimum+Requirements+for+Texas+First+Early+High+School.pdf) and introduced the [FLATS test](https://txoc-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/PLE+Marketing+Materials/Foreign+Language+Achievement+Testing+Service+(FLATS).pdf), which students can use to fulfill the Languages Other Than English requirement. Additionally, TEA’s Ashley Hermes provided an [informational handout](https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-publication/miscellaneous/texas-first-diploma-program-flyer/) outlining the Texas First Program for educators to share with students and their families.  Texas First Scholarship:  The Texas First Scholarship is available to all Texas public institutions of higher education, including all public colleges, universities, and technical colleges. THECB’s Alex Bobe joined our session to explain the [Texas First Scholarship process flow](https://txoc-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/PLE+Marketing+Materials/Texas+First+Scholarship+Process+Flow+.pdf) and provided educators with details on scholarship amounts and eligibility requirements. Additionally, Bobe showcased the informational [Texas First Program Factsheet](https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-publication/guidelines-manuals/texas-first-program-fact-sheet/) that outlines eligible institutions, program eligibility, scholarship certificate, and award amounts.    Student Scholarship Story: During our session, we had the pleasure of introducing Josie Brunner, who shared a successful student scholarship story and offered a unique perspective on the Texas First Scholarship process. She provided tips and strategies for guiding students through the process, [highlighting valuable resources](https://txoc-academy.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/implementation/Professional+Learning+Series/February+2025+Texas+First+Session/Texas+First+Diploma+Resource+Document+(3).pdf) such as FAFSA tools, the Subject Assessment Rubric, and the Texas First Diploma Requirement Checklist.   For those of you who couldn’t attend our session, do not worry! You can view our most recent session by clicking [here.](https://youtu.be/9NA1ulIbh3E?si=vnCIoMV90jtPbXEQ) Our next Professional Learning session on the [Texas OnCourse College and Career Readiness Curriculum](https://texasoncourse.org/educators/curriculum-resources/texas-oncourse-college-and-career-readiness-curriculum/) will take place on [March 18](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wB6nX9cbQMe8jHWVkBBYbA#/registration). Curriculum writers from Texas OnCourse will share the structure of a lesson and teaching strategies, the curriculum scope and sequence, online student learning modules that support unit content, and how to use the Texas OnCourse Academy to enhance curriculum lessons. We hope to see you there!  Topics: [Webinar](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/webinar), [College Planning](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/college-planning), [Educators](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/educators), [High School](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/high-school), [Financial Aid](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/financial-aid), [Scholarships](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/scholarships) ### Subscribe Here! ### Posts by Tag - [High School (15)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/high-school) - [Webinar (15)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/webinar) - [College Planning (10)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/college-planning) - [Educators (9)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/educators) - [College and Career Readiness Resources (8)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/college-and-career-readiness-resources) - [Applying to College (3)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/applying-to-college) - [Financial Aid (3)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/financial-aid) - [My Texas Future (3)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/my-texas-future) - [CCMR and Accountability (2)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/ccmr-and-accountability) - [Dual Credit (2)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/dual-credit) - [Middle School (2)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/middle-school) - [Scholarships (2)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/scholarships) - [Texas OnCourse Academy (2)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/texas-oncourse-academy) - [Curriculum Resources (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/curriculum-resources) - [Data Resources (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/data-resources) - [Entrance Exams (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/entrance-exams) - [Jobs and Careers (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/jobs-and-careers) - [Military Enlistment and Careers (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/military-enlistment-and-careers) - [Special Education (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/special-education) - [Texas Transfer Framework (1)](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/educator/tag/texas-transfer-framework) See all ![Texas OnCourse](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/Texas%20OnCourse%20Footer%20Logo.png) - [![facebook icon](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/social-fb-icon.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/texasoncourse/) - [![linkedIn icon](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/social-li-icon.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-oncourse/) - [![Pinterest icon](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/social-pi-icon.svg)](https://www.pinterest.com/texasoncourse/) - [![twitter icon](https://blog.texasoncourse.org/hubfs/Texas_OnCourse_February2019/Images/social-tw-icon.svg)](https://twitter.com/TexasOnCourse) - [Support & FAQ](https://texasoncourse.org/main-faq/) - [Partners](https://texasoncourse.org/about/advisory-committees-and-partners/) - [Legislators](https://texasoncourse.org/legislators/) - [Employers](https://texasoncourse.org/employers/) - [Media](https://texasoncourse.org/media/) - [Terms of Service](https://texasoncourse.org/terms-of-service/) - [Careers](https://texasoncourse.org/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://texasoncourse.org/about/contact-us/) © 2024 The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board