The Hazlewood Act: Free Education Benefits for Texas Veterans

Texas is unique among American states in so many ways, but one distinctive aspect of living in The Lone Star State is taking pride in its commitment to its military veterans.

Texas stands alone as the exclusive state that provides extensive education benefits to its veterans and their dependents.

Through the state's Hazlewood Act, veterans, their spouses, and their children can get funding for a college education.

In this article, we explain what the Hazlewood Act in Texas is, who is eligible for this benefit, and how to apply. Keep reading to find out answers to your questions.

What Is the Hazlewood Act in Texas?

A State of Texas benefit dating back to 1943, The Hazlewood Act enables qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children to receive up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at the state's many public colleges and universities.

While encompassing most fee charges, the benefit does not, however, cover living expenses, books, or supply fees while attending college.

These may be covered by other forms of financial aid, though, so prospective students should always submit a FAFSA form to receive eligible aid.

Who Is Eligible to Benefit from the Hazlewood Act in Texas?

Let's look at three categories of recipients of tuition exemptions through the Hazlewood Act.

1. Veterans

The Hazlewood Act Statute and 40 Texas Administrative Code §461A define the eligibility of veterans as follows:

• They must currently be a Texas resident
• At the time they entered into active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, they must have been either Texas residents; entered the service in Texas; or designated Texas as their Home of Record
• Their Veteran's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty must indicate that they received (a) an honorable discharge or separation or (b) a general discharge under honorable conditions
• Their total length of active-duty service must have been at least 181 days (excluding training)
• They must not be receiving federal veteran's education benefits (from the VA or the GI Bill for the payment of tuition and fees
• They must not be in default on a student loan that the State of Texas made or guaranteed
• They must enroll in courses for which the college receives tax support--that is, those that do not depend exclusively on student tuition and fees to cover their costs)

For more information, veterans should contact hazlewood@tvc.texas.gov, keeping in mind that each college or university maintains final decision-making authority on student eligibility.

2. Spouses or Dependent Children of Those Who Served

Spouses and dependent children are entitled to each receive a 150 credit hours exemption if their marital partner or parent:

• (a) died in the line of duty or as a result of injury or illness directly related to military service,
• (b) is missing in action, or
• (c) became disabled and unemployable as a result of a service-related injury or illness.

Spouses or dependent children's eligibility depends upon the veteran (marital partner or parent) meeting the same criteria listed above, except item No. 7 in the case of the spouse or child of a MIA, KIA, or veteran who died from service-related causes.

3. Children of Veterans (Legacy Act)

Under certain specific conditions, veterans may assign or transfer their unused benefits to one of their children, who becomes a 'legacy recipient.'

The legacy recipient must:

• Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child of the veteran or otherwise claimed as a tax-dependent
• Be less than 25 years old at the beginning of the term in which they claim the exemption
• Be a Texas resident
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in a degree or certificate program

The maximum number of tuition-exempt hours the Legacy recipient can receive each term depends on the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

If one child of the veteran fails to use up all of their assigned hours, the veteran parent may re-assign the unused hours to another child.

How To Apply for the Hazlewood Act Texas Benefits?

Whether the applicant is a veteran, their spouse, or their dependent child, the first step is to apply to and become accepted by the Texas public college or university where you desire to study.

Be sure to follow application and financial aid deadlines.

The veteran will need to fill out the Hazlewood Exemption application form and provide Department of Defense proof (DD214) of their military service and the nature of their discharge, as well as proof of eligibility (or lack of eligibility) for GI Bill benefits.

These should be submitted to the financial aid office of the university you plan to attend.

Those who qualify for Hazlewood benefits but have delays with verification paperwork may apply for deferment of tuition and fees for up to 60 days by submitting a Deferment Request Form.

The same process applies to spouses and children of eligible veterans for Hazlewood exemptions.

The History of the Hazlewood Act in Texas

In 1923, state legislators in Texas passed legislation that exempted World War I veterans from having to pay tuition and fees at the state's public universities and colleges.

This forward-thinking act contributed to increasing the educational level of the state's workforce while also rewarding veterans for their service.

In turn, having better-educated veterans increased the skilled workforce within the state and boosted its economy.

During World War II, in 1943, the Texas Legislature amended the law to include returning new veterans as well as the children of veterans who died in service.

At that time, the bill's strongest advocate was Senator Grady Hazlewood of Amarillo, for whom the act was named.

In the ensuing 80 years, the act has been modified and updated several times.

In 2007, Hazlewood beneficiaries became eligible to qualify for both state and federal veteran educational benefits simultaneously.

Two years later, in 2009, the 'Legacy Program' was added, which enabled living veterans to transfer up to 150 unused credit hours to a child under 26.

The same year, spouses of deceased veterans became eligible to receive the educational benefits of the Hazlewood Act in Texas.

Find Out Your Eligibility for the Hazlewood Act in Texas

To learn more about how you or your family members might benefit from a college education funded by the tuition exemptions of the Hazlewood Act in Texas, be sure to contact the Texas Veterans Commission as well as the financial aid office of the state university you wish to attend.