# Admissions

**Source**: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/academic-fresh-start
**Parent**: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/admitted-students

# Academic Fresh Start

## Academic Fresh Start (AFS)

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Section 51.931 of the Texas Education Code provides Texas residents who apply for admission (or readmission) as an undergraduate an opportunity to begin a new course of study with a clear academic record. In 2025, SB 365 amended the law to allow public institutions of higher education in Texas to allow applicants to apply to have academic course credit earned by the applicant more recently than ten years. Texas A&M University created the following policy:\
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Credits (and grades) for college courses taken 7 or more years prior to the date of enrollment may be ignored for admission purposes under the Academic Fresh Start law. Applicants who choose to apply using Academic Fresh Start forfeit ALL course credit earned prior to 7 years from the date of enrollment. The forfeited courses cannot be used to meet prerequisite requirements and will not be applied towards the new degree.\
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Academic Fresh Start applicants who have no coursework beyond the 7-year period will be considered for admission based on the guidelines for new entering freshman. All Academic Fresh Start applicants must submit a [transfer application](https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/transfer) (or readmission if they attended Texas A&M in the past) and the [Academic Fresh Start Form](https://admissions.tamu.edu/getattachment/50876fa1-4ee2-4c14-b0b3-8d0d4d3fd9b7/Academic-Fresh-Start-Acknowledgment.pdf) along with transcripts for all college level coursework taken as well as all additional required documents by the posted deadlines. Academic Fresh Start applicants who have no coursework beyond the seven-year period will be considered for admission based on the guidelines for new entering [freshmen](https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/freshman).\
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Applicants considering Academic Fresh Start are encouraged to contact an admissions representative at a [Prospective Student Center](https://admissions.tamu.edu/connect/connect-with-an-advisor) prior to applying.\
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Please note: For financial aid purposes all previously taken coursework will be included when evaluating aid eligibility. Please check with [Scholarships & Financial Aid](mailto:financialaid@tamu.edu) if you have specific questions.\
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## Additional AFS Information

## [Transcript](#a-transcript-IwM3g8)

The Texas A&M University official transcript will have a notation beginning the semester of entry that the individual has been admitted under — the AFS policy and that coursework and grades earned prior to this time are not used for degree audit or computed in the GPR.

## [TSI](#a-tsi-5dycRO)

All students will be required to satisfy TSI requirements prior to enrollment.

## [Catalog](#a-catalog-uFHtgT)

For a student electing to use AFS the catalog that will be in effect for degree purposes will be the catalog of record at the time the student enters Texas A&M under the AFS policy.

## [Prerequisites](#a-prerequisites-OFCKID)

If a student elects to enter Texas A&M under the AFS policy, all academic coursework that has been forfeited prior to 7 years cannot be considered as prerequisites for courses currently required in the degree plan.

## [Credit by Exam](#a-creditbyexam-EgyzRJ)

A student will be allowed to take placement examinations for courses for which they previously had credit. All placement examinations will be handled in accordance with university placement and credit by exam policies.

## [Veteran Education Benefits](#a-veteraneducationbenefits-7GE8M3)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not recognize the academic fresh start program. Students cannot be certified for courses they have successfully completed. Students using VA Educational benefits should coordinate with the [Veteran Services Office](mailto:Veterans@tamu.edu).

## [Conclusion](#a-conclusion-BAgtYf)

If a student is admitted to Texas A&M under the AFS policy and his or her credentials are evaluated based on those criteria, they cannot subsequently request that the AFS policy be removed so that they can use coursework that was forfeited under the AFS policy. This includes the legal requirements in History and Political Science. If a student transferring to Texas A&M elects to use the AFS policy at a previous school, the AFS policy will remain in effect at Texas A&M. A student will not be allowed to revoke the election of AFS once it has been acted upon by any institution.

## Contact

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Any questions concerning Academic Fresh Start should be directed to the [Aggieland Admission Center](https://admissions.tamu.edu/connect/connect-with-an-advisor/aggieland-admissions-center) 979-458-0950.\
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Download [Academic Fresh Start Form](https://admissions.tamu.edu/getattachment/50876fa1-4ee2-4c14-b0b3-8d0d4d3fd9b7/Academic-Fresh-Start-Acknowledgment.pdf).\
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## Aggie Honor Code

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## [Acts of Dishonesty](#a-actsofdishonesty-1gJO7j)

*"An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do."*

The Aggie Code of Honor is a way of life and a tool our admissions team uses to judge prospective students. Those who have lived the Aggie Code of Honor long before they knew it was the Aggie Code of Honor will fit in perfectly at Texas A&M. Applicants found to have misrepresented themselves or submitted false information on the application will receive appropriate disciplinary action.

In accordance with Texas A&M student rule 24.4.1, acts of dishonesty include but are not limited to:

- Withholding material information from the University, misrepresenting the truth during a University investigation or student conduct conference, and/or making false statements to any University official.
- Furnishing false information to and/or withholding information from any University official, faculty member, or office.
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University document, record, or instrument of identification.

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The submission of false information at the time of admission or readmission is ground for rejection of the application, withdrawal of any offer of acceptance, cancellation of enrollment, dismissal or other appropriate disciplinary action.