Just thought I would pass along to anyone who may be considering Texas Tech that contrary to what the website states (actually, the regulations contradict themselves) it is not necessary for anyone who is not a Texas resident to take the TASP before enrolling in degree programs at Texas Tech. This was per Linda McDonough, Director of TASP, at the Texas Department of Higher Education (if I have the agency name correct). This of course does not apply to anyone who happens to be temporarily living away from Texas but is considered a permanent resident of the state. The barrier of having to travel to Texas to take the TASP now removed, I will be applying to Tech. Melissa
It's spelled out pretty clearly at the bottom of this page. I agree that in some other places they don't make it clear that it's only applicable to Texas residents.
Yet another reason not to live in Texas (although, having spent 10 months in Sheppard AFB, I already have plenty). <g> Thanks for sharing the information! Cordially, Richard Kanarek
That's not exactly true That's true only if those exceptions they list happen to apply to one's personal situation. In my own case, my (quite old) ACT and SAT scores, while higher than the minimum, were lopsided enough that I didn't qualify for their exemption, nor was any of my college-level work completed before 1989. I'm feeling rather frustrated at the moment, anyway, as Tech's statement that they are now able to provide financial aid turns out to be not true - there is some sort of reason for putting a halt to the program - and that pretty much puts an end to my plans to enroll there. There are days I just don't know why i'm doing this. Melissa
In the first paragraph of that section it does say, "Students who reside outside of Texas and are not Texas residents are not required to take the TASP." The other exemptions are only necessary if you're a Texas resident. If you live in Texas then it wouldn't be hard to just take the TASP. That's too bad about the financial aid; I wonder what the deal is with that. I know that other Texas schools are able to provide financial aid to distance learning students. I'd check with several sources at the school just to make sure.
Yep, that statement in the first paragraph, coupled with the exemption listings toward the bottom, nearly drove a lovely lady from the TASP skills assessment office at Tech crazy. She did her best to interpret the regulations in a way that would help me, but in the end (reading from her own book, which of course I couldn't see) decided it was no use, I would just have to travel to Texas and take that test. I just thought I'd post the information in case anyone else ran into that same dilemma, and save them the call to Austin. The information on financial aid came from the financial aid office; I can't recall the person's name at the moment. With the cost of any programs within driving distance of me at $10,000 and up (that would be per year, and I have at least 3 more to go before I earn a Bachelor's degree), I'm looking for alternatives. Just haven't figured out what they are yet. Melissa
I think that they are confused about the TASP requirements. I know that SWT allows people to enroll in correspondence courses without taking the TASP, if they are out of state. It's written on that page of the TTU site, so someone there has to be aware of it. You may want to contact someone higher up in the financial aid office. I know that I've been given a lot of misinformation from people who answer the phones or general email in various offices at large universities. Good luck!
