Academic Fresh Start (AFS)
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:
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.
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 (or readmission if they attended Texas A&M in the past) and the Academic Fresh Start Form 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.
Applicants considering Academic Fresh Start are encouraged to contact an admissions representative at a Prospective Student Center prior to applying.
Please note: For financial aid purposes all previously taken coursework will be included when evaluating aid eligibility. Please check with Scholarships & Financial Aid if you have specific questions.
Additional AFS Information
Contact
Any questions concerning Academic Fresh Start should be directed to the Aggieland Admission Center 979-458-0950.
Download Academic Fresh Start Form.