Adult Education and Literacy Eligibility

Before you begin enrolling in our Adult Education Literacy (AEL) program, find information eligibility requirements below.

Who is eligible for the AEL program?

You may be eligible for the AEL program if you lack:

  • Basic academic skills, or
  • English language skills, as shown by an approved assessment

Eligibility requirements may vary by age.

Applicants 19 Years Old or Older

Applicants who are 19 years old or older must have all of the following:

  • A REAL ID or passport, and
  • A Social Security card

Additional Documentation Required

Additional documentation is required if your Social Security card states:

  • "Not Valid for Employment", or
  • "Valid for Work Only with DHS Authorization"

In this case, you will also need to provide:

  • A valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or
  • Other official document verifying U.S. work authorization, including:
    • U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
    • Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
    • Foreign passport with Form I-94 or Form I-94A (Arrival-Departure Record) containing an employment endorsement

Applicants 17–18 Years Old

Applicants who are 17–18 years old must have all of the following:

  • REAL ID or passport
  • A Social Security card
  • Completed parent/guardian signature and verification form
  • A self-attestation form stating the applicant is not enrolled in high school and is unable to obtain a signature from their home school
  • Withdrawal paperwork from the most recent school or school district attended

Applicants 16 Years Old

Applicants who are 16 years old must have all of the following:

  • An appointed court order from a Tarrant County Judge
  • REAL ID or passport
  • A Social Security card
  • Completed parent/guardian signature and verification form
  • A self-attestation form stating the applicant is not enrolled in high school and is unable to obtain a signature from their home school
  • Withdrawal paperwork from the most recent school or school district attended

How do I get started?

Read the instructions on AEL Enrollment to get started with the AEL program.

Contact

Have more questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for help or contact by email.

District Office

Tarrant County Residents

Educational Outreach

Call 817-515-2568

Email ael_inquiries@tccd.edu

Erath, Hood, Johnson, and Somervell County Residents

Visit 1005 S. Anglin Street
Cleburne, TX 76031

Call 817-526-5175

Email aelsouthern_inquiries@tccd.edu

Updated May 12, 2026