Exemptions for Texas Veterans The Hazelwood Act Presenter: Theresa A. Gibson Texas Veterans Commission

Purpose The purpose of the Hazlewood Exemption (Hazlewood Act) is to provide an education benefit to honorably discharged or separated Texas veterans or to qualified dependent children. The exemption will cover all up to 150 semester credit hours. This limit is not per institution, but is a cumulative total per eligible participant.

Eligibility Requirements – For a Veteran Veterans are eligible if they: Are Texas residents; Were Texas residents at the time they entered the U.S. Armed Forces; Have served at least 181 days of active military duty, as indicated as "net active service" (the sum of 12(c) and 12(d)) on the DD214); Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions; Have federal veterans education benefits for term or semester that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits; Are not in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas or on a federal education loan that affects their eligibility for GI education benefits; and Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses.

Eligibility Requirements – For a Dependent Dependents are eligible if they: Have a parent who was a resident of Texas at the time of entry who died as a result of service related injuries or illness or whose parent became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of service-related injury or illness; Are Texas residents; and Are not in default on a loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas or on a federal education loan that affects their eligibility for GI education benefits.

Eligibility Requirements The Hazlewood benefit cannot be used: for correspondence courses unless they are part of the student's degree plan; by veterans' spouses or veterans from other states; and anywhere but at a Texas public college or university.

Award Amount The award covers all dues, fees and charges, including fees for correspondence courses. It excludes fees or charges for property deposits, student services, books, lodging, board or clothing. No funds may be used to pay tuition for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support.

To use Hazlewood benefits, you must complete an application and release form. Please choose the appropriate application below: Application for Veterans New to Hazlewood Application for Dependent New to Hazlewood Application for Previous Hazlewood Recipients Veterans must provide proof of military service and nature of discharge in the form of discharge form DD214 from the Department of Defense. In addition, both veterans and dependents must also provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI and Montgomery benefits by requesting an education benefits letter from the VA office in Muskogee, OK at (888) or Dependents must provide proof from the Department of Defense or from Veterans Administration regarding parents’ death or parents’ disability related to service. Both groups should contact their college financial aid office regarding their status on prior federal student loans made or guaranteed by the State of Texas. All applicants must complete the appropriate application (see links above) and submit it to the college financial aid office. Application Process

HELPFUL CONTACT INFORMATION The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board P.O. Box Austin, TX ; OJT/APPRENTICESHIP OVERVIEW

Texas Veterans Commission Education Benefits For Texas Veterans Hazelwood Act: Frequently Asked Questions – February 2009 Prepared by the Texas Veterans Commission P.O. Box Austin, TX Toll-free Hotline: Fax: Connie Jacksits, Director The Hazelwood Act: Frequently Asked Questions Brochure