Hazlewood

Hazlewood

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

HAZLEWOOD UPDATE

Hazlewood Act Exemption Eligibility Requirements

The Texas Veterans Commission released the following statements:    

On January 26, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the requirement that Veterans must have entered service in Texas in order to be eligible to receive the Texas Hazlewood exemption of tuition and fees at public schools (the fixed point residency requirement) was unconstitutional.

On May 12, 2015, the office of the Texas State Attorney General filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Note: The Texas Veterans Commission is not a party to appeal.

Current Hazlewood eligibility requirements remain unchanged, except for the individual specifically named in the lawsuit.

Initial Eligibility Requirements

Provided below are the basic eligibility requirements to quality for the Hazlewood Act Exemption. For more details, go to the TVC’s website at http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx.
 

Veterans: (1) Entered the military service from Texas, or Home of Record at the time of entry is Texas, or was a Texas Resident at the time of entry into military service. (2) Served more than 180 days of federal military services excluding basic training. (3) Received an Honorable Discharge or General Discharge under Honorable Conditions. (4) Exhausted GI Bill benefits if eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100% rate. (5) Reside in Texas during term of enrollment. (6) Provide DD214 showing criteria 1-3 or equivalent supporting documentation. (7) Meet the GPA requirement of the institution's SAP policy.

Legacy—Transfer of Hazlewood Benefit to a Child. (1) Veteran must qualify for the Hazlewood Exemption. (2) Provide death certificate if veteran is deceased. (3) Recipient must be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as dependent for current or previous tax year on IRS 1040 and (a) must be 25 years old or younger on the first day of class, (b) enroll in a degree or certificate program and maintain satisfactory academic progress, and (c) meet the institution’s resident tuition requirements. (4) Provide a DD214 or equivalent supporting documentation.

Child or Spouse—of a Totally and Permanently Disabled or Individually Unemployable Veteran. (1) Veteran must qualify for the Hazlewood Exemption. (2) Veteran’s disability must be verified by a current VA disability rating letter. (3) Recipient must (a) be a dependent of a qualifying veteran, (b) meet federal financial aid SAP (satisfactory academic progress) requirements, and (c ) meet the institution’s resident tuition requirements. (4) Provide a DD214 or equivalent supporting documentation.

Child or Spouse—of a Service-Related Deceased, Missing in Action, or Killed in Action Veteran. (1) Veteran must meet Hazlewood Exemption eligibility criteria. (2) Recipient must meet the institution’s resident tuition requirements. (3) Provide DD 1300 Report of Casualty form. (4) Provide DD 214 if veteran’s service-related death was after being discharged.

All students using the Hazlewood Exemption must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards as defined by the institution's Financial Aid policy.  Please review Central Texas College's SAP policy.