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 offers one of the most generous state education benefits in the country for veterans and their families — a benefit that extends not just to those who served, but to their spouses and children as well.

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 with roots dating back to 1923, 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 Chapter 461 define the eligibility of veterans as follows:

• They must currently reside in Texas (note that this is a residency-in-fact requirement, not the same as being classified as a Texas resident by the institution)
• 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 (DD Form 214) 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 have no federal veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only — such as Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) or Chapter 31 — for the term enrolled that meet or exceed the value of the Hazlewood benefit. Federal benefits not specifically designated for tuition and fees may be used alongside Hazlewood
• 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 — unless the college’s governing board has ruled otherwise
• They must meet the GPA requirement of the institution’s satisfactory academic progress policy, and undergraduates must not be considered to have attempted an excessive number of credit hours

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 each entitled to receive a 150-credit-hour 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 totally and permanently disabled, or meets the VA’s eligibility requirements for individual unemployability, as a result of a service-related injury or illness.

The veteran must also have designated Texas as their Home of Record, entered the service in Texas, or been a Texas resident at the time of entry into the Armed Forces.

In addition, the spouse or child must be classified as a Texas resident by the institution, must not have federal veterans education benefits dedicated to tuition and fees that meet or exceed the Hazlewood value, must not be in default on a state-made or state-guaranteed student loan, must enroll in tax-supported courses, and must meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress requirements. That last requirement — satisfactory academic progress — does not apply to the spouse or child of a veteran who is MIA, KIA, or whose death was service-connected.

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, or adopted child of the veteran, or have been claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year
• Be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed, unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition
• Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident
• Have no federal veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees that meet or exceed the Hazlewood value
• Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas
• Enroll in courses for which the college receives tax support
• 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.

Importantly, only one child may use Hazlewood Legacy benefits at a time. 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 in Texas

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, and check directly with your school, since deadline policies vary by institution.

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. Veterans with active-duty service after September 11, 2001, will need to request a certificate of eligibility from the VA.

All applicants — veterans, spouses, and children alike — must also register in the Hazlewood online database to comply with federal privacy requirements, and print out a record of hours previously used to submit with their application.

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 the decades since, 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 who is 25 or younger.

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

FAQs About the Hazlewood Act

Navigating state and federal veterans benefits can get complicated, especially when the two overlap. Below are answers to some of the most common questions students and families have about the Hazlewood exemption.

Can I Use the Hazlewood Act and the GI Bill at the Same Time?

In many cases, yes. Since 2007, Hazlewood recipients have been able to combine state and federal benefits. The key restriction is that federal benefits specifically designated for tuition and fees — such as Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 — are applied first, and if they cover the full cost, Hazlewood won’t apply for those hours. Federal benefits not tied to tuition and fees, such as housing allowances, don’t affect your Hazlewood eligibility at all.

Does the Hazlewood Exemption Ever Expire?

No. Unlike the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which has had delimiting dates for some beneficiaries, the Hazlewood exemption has no expiration. Eligible veterans can use their 150 hours at any point in their lives, as long as they continue to meet the other requirements.

Can I Use Hazlewood Benefits at a Private or Out-of-State School?

No. The exemption only applies at public institutions of higher education in Texas, including public universities, community colleges, and state-funded technical schools.

What Happens If I Only Use Part of My 150 Hours in a Semester?

Institutions deduct only the proportion of hours actually covered by the exemption. If Hazlewood pays for six credit hours in a given term, only six hours come off your lifetime total.

Does the Hazlewood Exemption Cover Online Courses?

Generally, yes, provided the online program is offered by a Texas public institution and the course is tax-supported. Because some online and extended-education programs are funded entirely by student tuition and fees, it’s worth confirming with your school’s financial aid office before you register.

Can a Veteran Take Back Hours They Already Assigned to a Child?

Yes. Under Texas Education Code §54.341(k-1), an eligible veteran may revoke the assignment of any unused hours by submitting the Revocation of Previously Assigned Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Hours form.

Does the Hazlewood Exemption Affect My Other Financial Aid?

It can. Many institutions treat the Hazlewood exemption as a financial resource when calculating aid packages, which may reduce eligibility for need-based grants and scholarships. Submitting the FAFSA is still worthwhile, since it opens the door to aid that covers costs Hazlewood doesn’t, such as books, supplies, and living expenses.

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.