Hazlewood Act

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, supply fees, or student services fees.

While veterans and dependents using Veterans Affairs federal education benefits may be used Hazlewood concurrently, with Chapter 33 and Chapter 31, the value of the two combined cannot exceed the student’s tuition and fees. The 83rd Texas Legislative Session authorized new provisions that are effective with the Fall 2014 semester.

If the value of federal benefits that may be used only for the payment of tuition and fees and are received in a semester or other term does not equal or exceed the value of the exemption for the same semester or other terms, the person is entitled to receive both those federal benefits and the exemption in the same semester or other term.  The combined amount of the federal benefit that may be used only for the payment of tuition and fees plus the amount of the exemption received in a semester or other term may not exceed the cost of tuition and fees for that semester or another term.

Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Veteran

Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Legacy, Child, or Spouse

Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application For Continued Enrollment

Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Initial Eligibility Requirements

Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Documentation Checklist

Revocation of Previously Assigned Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Hours

Tuition Deferment Request for Eligible Texas Veterans and Their Families

Hazlewood Act Application Process

A Veteran must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university of his/her choice. Go to Galveston College Admissions to apply; 
• At the time of entry into active duty of the U.S. Armed Forces, (DD Form 214 required) & (40 TAC §461.40)
  • designated Texas as Home of Record;
  • or entered the service in Texas;
  • or was a Texas resident;
• Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions as indicated on the Veteran’s Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,
• Served at least 181 days of active duty service (excluding training);
• Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill® benefits (Chapter 31, 33/Post-9/11) by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from https://www.va.gov/  (if Veteran has active duty service after 9/11/2001). You will need to create a username and password to request your certificate of eligibility; 
• Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;
•  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 cost), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let Veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses; and
• Meet the GPA requirement of the institution’s satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution’s financial aid policy and, as an undergraduate student, not be considered to have attempted an excessive amount of credit hours.
• Fill out the Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Veteran; and
• Turn in the Hazlewood Exemption application form, a copy of your letter of eligibility/ineligibility, and a copy of your DD214 into the Financial Aid Office Veterans Affairs at Galveston College.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by Galveston College no later than the last day of class in order to be evaluated for the semester per Texas Veterans Commission.

Legacy Act (Child)

Eligible Veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain qualifications:

A child (legacy recipient) must:

• Be classified by the Galveston College Admissions Office as a Texas resident;
• Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year;
• Be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester for which the exemption is claimed (unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition); and
• Have no federal Veteran’s education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31; for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits; (40 TAC §461.70) & (40 TAC §461.90)
• Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;
• 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 cost), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let Veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses; and
• Meet the GPA requirement of Galveston College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by Galveston College’s financial aid policy and, as an undergraduate student, not be considered to have attempted an excessive amount of credit hours.

Legacy recipients will receive an exemption for the number of degree certified hours reported by Galveston College for that semester. Maximum degree certified hours awarded to the Legacy recipient will be dependent upon the degree or certificate program in which the student is enrolled for that semester and shall be consistent with the program length as defined within the school catalog as approved by the regional accreditation commission. *If a child to whom hours have been delegated fails to use all of the assigned hours, a Veteran may re-assign the unused hours that are available to another child. Only one child will use Hazlewood Legacy benefits at a time. 

Legacy Act Application Process

A child (legacy recipient) of a Veteran must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university. Go to Galveston College Admissions to apply;
• Fill out the Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Legacy, Child, or Spouse;
• Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill® benefits (Chapter 31, 33/Post-9/11) by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from VA.gov . You will need to create a username and password to request your certificate of eligibility;
• Take both applications, letter of eligibility/ineligibility (if needed), along with a copy of the Veteran’s DD214, to the financial aid office at Galveston College.
• Meet the GPA requirement of the institution’s satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution’s financial aid policy and, as an undergraduate student, not be considered to have attempted an excessive amount of credit hours.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by Galveston College no later than the last day of class of a term in order to be evaluated for that semester.

Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child

Spouses and dependent children of eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and Texas National Guard who died in the line of duty or as a result of injury or illness directly related to military service, are missing in action, or who became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of a service-related injury or illness are entitled to each receive a 150 credit hours exemption.

A spouse must:

• Be a spouse of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, be classified by the Galveston College Admissions Office as a Texas resident, designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas;
• Be a spouse of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual employability (IU) due to a service-connected injury or illness;
• Have no federal Veterans education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31) for semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;
• Be classified by the Galveston College Admissions Office as a Texas resident; and
• Meet the GPA requirement of Galveston College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by Galveston College’s financial aid policy and, as an undergraduate student, not be considered to have attempted an excessive amount of credit hours. This requirement does not apply to the spouse of a MIA, KIA, or service connected deceased Veteran.

A child must:

• Be a child of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, be classified by the Galveston College Admissions Office as a Texas resident, designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas;
• Be a child of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or Texas Air National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of a service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual employability (IU) due to a service-connected injury or illness;
• Have no federal Veterans education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31; for semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;
• Be classified by the Galveston College Admissions Office as a Texas resident; and
• Meet the GPA requirement of Galveston College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by Galveston College’s financial aid policy and, as an undergraduate student, not be considered to have attempted an excessive amount of credit hours. This requirement does not apply to the spouse of a MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran.

Application Process for Spouse/Child

A spouse or child of a Veteran whose death was service-connected is MIA, or is/was 100% permanently disabled must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university. Go to Galveston College Admissions to apply;
• Provide a DD214 and a disability rating letter or a DD1300 Report of Casualty regarding the Veteran’s death;
• Fill out the Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Legacy, Child, or Spouse;
• Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill® benefits (Chapter 31, 33/Post-9/11) by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from VA.gov You will need to create a username and password to request your certificate of eligibility;
• Meet the GPA requirement of Galveston College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by Galveston College’s financial aid policy and, as an undergraduate student, not be considered to have attempted an excessive amount of credit hours. This requirement does not apply to the spouse of a MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by Galveston College no later than the last day of class of a term in order to be evaluated for that semester.

How Much can be Awarded?

Eligible veterans, their children, and spouses may receive an exemption from the payment of all tuition, dues, fees, and other required charges, including fees for correspondence courses, but excluding deposit fees, student service fees, and any fees or charges for books, lodging, board, or clothing for up to 150 semester credit hours.

Texas Veterans Commission

http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act

Official Hazlewood Act Exemption Website

eBenefits

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage

Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-888-442-4551

Download VA Benefit Letters

https://www.va.gov/records/download-va-letters/

Request Certificate of Eligibility or Benefits Letter if Veteran served on or after 09/11/2001

National Archives

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

Request DD214 and other military documents
314-801-0800/866-272-6272
[email protected]

Texas Veterans Commission Database for Hazlewood Hours

https://hazlewood.tvc.texas.gov/students/Account/Login

Online database of Hazlewood hours used by student and/or veteran

Veterans Crisis Line                   

Contact - 988 press 1                                                                                                                       

Combined Arms 

• Combined Arms streamlines the connection between veterans and their families from all branches of the military with organizations that serve them.
• LGBTQ Veteran Group   832-390-1249

2-1-1 

• 2-1-1 Texas is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need.

Grace After Fire   

888-737-3112

• "Helping Veteran Women help themselves”

Gulf Coast Galveston 

409-944-4437                                   

Next Op   

832-735-0051

2929 McKinney Street, Houston, Texas 77003

• Next Op recruits, trains, and places high performing middle-enlisted military leaders into Industry careers.

TEXVET  

Resource & Crisis Center Hotline

409-765-7233 or 1-888-919-7233 

1802 Broadway Suite 122, Galveston, TX 77550

Free and Confidential

• Family Violence and/or Sexual Assault assistance
• Emergency Shelter
• Transitional Housing
• Legal Advocacy/Protective Orders
• Support/Counseling
• Resource Distribution (food, clothing, school supplies, etc.)
• Information & Referral to other services and agencies

Salvation Army of Galveston County                                              

 409-763-1691

601 51^st St., Galveston, TX 77551

American GI Forum of Texas- Houston         

713-666-4796

• Personalized Case Management
• Employment Counseling
• Direct Job Placement
• Support Services
• Suits for job interviews

Texas Veterans Commission 

Download VA Benefit Letters

Other Veteran Employment Resources 

• Learn about employment resources that can help you find a career or get job training as you transition to civilian life. 

Tuition Assistance Overview/ Eligibility

The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier’s professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and is part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are registered in ArmyIgnitED, are accredited by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU).

For Academic Programs, Certificate’s, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree, TA may not be used for a lower or lateral degree program from the one the Soldier currently possesses. In addition to degree programs, TA is available to Soldiers to complete a high school diploma and certificate programs. TA is not authorized for programs of study beyond a master’s degree.

All eligible Soldiers will request TA through ArmyIgnitED.

By law, officers who use TA incurs a service obligation. Active Duty officers incur an Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) of two years, and Reserve Component officers incur a Reserve Duty Service Obligation (RDSO) of four years. The ADSO/RDSO is calculated from the date of completion of the last course for which TA was used.

Further details on the provisions of TA are found in AR 621-5 and policy documents signed by the Director, Army Continuing Education System.

Tuition Assistance Rates/Fees

The Department of Defense (DoD) has directed a uniform per semester hour cap of $250 for tuition assistance (TA) and an annual ceiling of $4,500. The Services are authorized to establish Service specific eligibility criteria to manage TA funds. The Army will pay 100 percent of tuition costs up to the DoD semester hour cap of $250 per semester hour cap for up to 16 semester hours of TA funded courses not to exceed $4,000 per fiscal year.

Current Army policy limits TA to 130 semester hours of undergraduate credit or baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first and 39 semester hours of graduate credit or master’s degree whichever comes first. The 39 semester hour limit applies to all credits taken after completion of a baccalaureate degree.

New Students Create ArmyIgnitED Account

All TA for Active Duty, USAR, and ARNG Soldiers must be requested through ArmyIgnitED. Click here to start.

Tuition Assistance Procedures

Soldiers’ TA enrollment requests must be submitted and approved through www.armyignited.army.mil prior to the course start date; any enrollments requested on or after the class start date will be approved as Soldier funded.

TA is requested on a course-by-course basis, and each course must be part of an approved degree program.

ArmyIgnitED will notify the Soldier, whether the TA is approved or not. If the TA request is not approved, ArmyIgnitED will advise the Soldier of the reason and next steps.

All drops/withdrawals must take place through ArmyIgnitED. Soldiers who do not successfully complete a class will be required to repay the TA. Soldiers who are unable to successfully complete a class due to military reasons must request a Withdrawal for Military Reasons through ArmyIgnitED and complete all required steps to ensure that they will not be charged.

If the Soldier wishes to take a class with a school that does not participate in the electronic ArmyIgnitED class schedule, a TA Request Authorization form must be completed in ArmyIgnitED. The TA Request Authorization will be routed to an Army Education Counselor to be reviewed and approved. Soldiers should allow extra time for this. If the TA Request Authorization is approved, the Soldier will be notified by email. Soldiers must print the approved TA Request Authorization form in ArmyIgnitED, provide it to the school and enroll directly with the school.

Soldiers must acknowledge and electronically sign the TA Statement of Understanding (TA SOU) each quarter they wish to use TA.

Educational institutions will comply with these requirements for the return of Tuition Assistance funds:

(a) Return any Tuition Assistance Program funds directly to the Military Service, not the Service member.

(b) Up to the start date, return all (100%) Tuition Assistance funds to the appropriate Military Service when the Service member does not:

(i) Begin attendance at the institution; or

(ii) Start a course, regardless of whether the student starts other courses.

(c) Return any Tuition Assistance funds for a course that is cancelled by the educational institution

(d) Have an institutional policy that returns any unearned Tuition Assistance funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. Tuition Assistance funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, which unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institutional will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

Army Credentialing Assistance Program

Much like Tuition Assistance (TA), Soldiers can request Credentialing Assistance (CA) for training that leads to a credential, license, or certification through ArmyIgnitED. CA will pay for training courses that lead to a credential, and also provides funding for books, materials, fees, exams, and recertification. Soldiers have a combined fiscal year limit not to exceed $4000 for use towards TA and CA.

More than 1600 credentials, licenses, and certifications are listed in Army COOL (www.cool.army.mil). COOL aligns credentials to Soldiers’ military occupational specialties (MOS), but for CA, Soldiers can select and earn credentials during their off-duty time that do not relate to their MOS.

The Army CA program will become effective Army-wide in FY 20. For more information on the Army CA program, Soldiers can contact their local Education Center or Education Office. To see a listing of all credentials offered go to www.cool.army.mil.

Unearned TA funds must be returned on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt forthe returned portion.

Withdrawal

A student’s official withdrawal date is used as the last date of attendance and to calculate earned percentage of TA. A student’s official withdrawal date is determined by using the last date of attendance that is documented and submitted to the Galveston College Admissions Office.

Once the last date of attendance has been determined, the Galveston College Business Office will recalculate a student’s TA eligibility based on the following formula:

The amount of TA funding that is earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. For example, if a student completed 30% of the course, they earned 30% of the TA funds that they were originally scheduled to receive. The remainder of the unearned funds (70%) would be returned to the TA program. If this results in an unpaid tuition balance, payment would be the responsibility of the student. Once a student has attended at least 60% of the period for which TA funds were approved, the student is considered to have earned 100% of the TA funds.

2-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1           100% return

During week 2                                         75%  return

3-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1           100% return   

During week 2                                         50% return

During week 3                                            0% return

4-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1                 100% return

During week 2                                     50% return

During week 3                                     40% return

During week 4                                     0% return

5-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1                 100% return

During week 2                                    50% return

During week 3                                     40% return

During week 4                                     0% return

During week 5                                     0% return

6-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1                 100% return

During week 2                                     75% return

During week 3                                     50% return

During week 4                                     40% return

During weeks 5-6                                      0% return

7-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1                100% return

During weeks 2-3                             75% return

During week 4                                   50% return

During week 5                                   40% return

During weeks 6-7                               0% return

8-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1                100% return

During week 2                                   75% return

During weeks 3-4                             50% return

During week 5                                   40% return

During weeks 6-8                               0% return

9-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-2            100% return

During weeks 3-4                             75% return

During week 5                                   50% return

During week 6                                  40% return

During weeks 7-9                             0% return

10-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-2            100% return

During weeks 3-4                             75% return

During week 5                                   50% return

During week 6                                  40% return

During weeks 7-10                           0% return

11-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-2            100% return

During weeks 3-5                             75% return

During week 6                                   50% return

During week 7                                  40% return

During weeks 8-11                           0% return

12-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-2            100% return

During weeks 3-5                             75% return

During weeks 6-7                             50% return

During week 8                                  40% return

During weeks 9-12                           0% return

13-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-3            100% return

During weeks 4-6                             75% return

During week 7                                   50% return

During week 8                                  40% return

During weeks 9-13                           0% return

14-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-3            100% return

During weeks 4-6                             75% return

During weeks 7-8                             50% return

During week 9                                  40% return

During weeks 10-14                        0% return

15-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-3            100% return

During weeks 4-7                             75% return

During week 8                                   50% return

During week 9                                  40% return

During weeks 10-15                        0% return

16-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-3            100% return

During weeks 4-7                             75% return

During weeks 8-9                             50% return

During week 10                                40% return

During weeks 11-16                        0% return

19-Week Course Withdrawal

Before or during week 1-4            100% return

During weeks 5-8                             75% return

During weeks 9-11                           50% return

During week 12                                40% return

During weeks 13-19                        0% return

• How to Apply for Federal and State Financial Aid 

• Available Aid 

• Galveston College Scholarships and Other Scholarship Programs

• Additional Aid Information