Hazlewood Act

Earn your degree with less debt by understanding and applying your Hazlewood Exemption.
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Military and Veteran Services Resources
contact Phone: 254.519.5423 Email: [email protected] Location & Hours: Founders Hall
2nd Floor, Suite 221
M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
contact Phone: 254.519.5423 Email: [email protected] Location & Hours: Founders Hall
2nd Floor, Suite 221
M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

A Veteran Must:

a. At the time of entry into active duty of the U.S. Armed Forces, (DD Form 214 required) & (40 TAC §461.40)

b. designated Texas as Home of Record;

c. or entered the service in Texas;

d. or was a Texas resident;

e. 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,

f. Served at least 181 days of active duty service (excluding training);

g. Currently reside in Texas; (40 TAC §461.40) & (40 TAC §461.70)

h. 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;

i. Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;

j. 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

k. 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.

Child (Legacy Act) must:

a. Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident; (40 TAC §461.70)

b. Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year;

c. 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); and

d. 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) for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits; (40 TAC §461.70) & (40 TAC §461.90)

e. Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;

f. 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

g. 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.

Spouse/Dependent must:

a. Be the spouse/dependent of an eligible veteran who is determined by the VA to be 100%, total and permanent, service-connected veteran or one who became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of a service-related injury or illness. The spouse/dependent(s) of an eligible veteran who meets the requirements below are entitled to receive a 150 credit hours exemption, each, under certain conditions as drawn from the Hazlewood Act Statute and Texas Administrative Code §461

b. Be a spouse / child of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, (DD Form 214 required),
(40 TAC §461.50) & (40 TAC §461.60)

c. Designated Texas as Home of Record,ter or term for which the exemption is claimed (unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition); and

d. or entered the service in Texas;

e. or was a Texas resident;

f. Be a spouse / child of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard who:

i. died as a result of service-related injuries or;
ii. became totally and permanently disabled or meets the eligibility requirements for individual unemployability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a result of a service-related injury, or
iii. Missing in action (MIA), or
iv. Killed in action (KIA).

g. 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) for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;

h. Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident;

i. Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;

j. 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

k. 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. This requirement does not apply to the spouse / child of a MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran. 
(40 TAC §461.50) & (40 TAC §461.60)

A. Veteran

  1. DD214 (Member 4 copy)
  2. Certificate of Eligibility or Ineligibility for federal education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs
    • a. Required if the veteran served after 9/11/2001
    • b. The COE must be dated no more than three (3) months before submitting your Hazlewood Application.
  3. Printed confirmation page of online Hazlewood database registration: Sign Up Online

B. Legacy Program (Dependent Children using Transferred Hours)

  1. DD214 (Member 4 copy)
  2. Certificate of Eligibility or Ineligibility for federal education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs
    • a. Required if the veteran served after 9/11/2001
    • b. The COE must be dated no more than three (3) months before submitting your Hazlewood Application.
  3. Proof of Dependency
    • a. Birth Certificate
    • b. Marriage Certificate
    • c. Adoption Documentation
    • d. IRS Transcript of Tax Return
  4. Proof that the veteran is currently residing in Texas;
    1. Only if the exemption for the first time is after Fall 2011.
      • a. Current utility bill
      • b. Current Lease
      • c. Mortgage Agreement
  5. Printed confirmation page of online Hazlewood database registration: Sign Up Online

C. Spouse or Child (Other than Legacy)

  1. DD214 (Member 4 copy)
  2. For Deceased Veterans
  3. Certificate of Eligibility or Ineligibility for federal education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs
    • a. Required if the veteran served after 9/11/2001
    • b. The COE must be dated no more than three (3) months before submitting your Hazlewood Application.
  4. Proof of Dependency
    • a. Birth Certificate
    • b. Marriage Certificate
    • c. Adoption Documentation
    • d. IRS Transcript of Tax Return
  5. VA Disability Ratings Letter showing 100% disability OR rated unemployability
  6. Printed confirmation page of online Hazlewood database registration: Sign Up Online

Complete the following steps to utilize your Hazlewood Benefits

1. Apply for Admission to TAMUCT:

a. Apply Online
b. Schedule an appointment to meet with an Enrollment Specialist

2. Apply for VA Education Benefits and Financial Aid:
Learn about the different VA Education Benefits and Apply Online.

a. How to: obtain a DD214 or equivalent
b. How to: obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Post 9/11 GI Bill®

Veterans and military affiliated students may be eligible to receive additional Financial Aid while attending college. 

The application is free and doesn’t impact your VA Benefits.
Complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA):
Apply Online and Schedule an appointment to meet with the Financial Aid Office.

3. Create a MyCT Account: Warrior Tech Desk Instructions

4. Submit College and Military Transcripts:
TAMUCT is committed to providing you with credit for your prior college and/or military service.

Request Military Transcripts:

a. Air University
b. Joint Service Transcript

5. Attend New Student Orientation:
New Undergraduate students are required to complete orientation prior to registering for classes.
Register for an online or in-person session

6. Meet with an Academic Advisor:
Your Academic Advisor is here to assist you in building an educational plan that aligns with your interests and career goals.
Find your Academic Advisor

7. Register for Classes and Request Hazlewood Benefits:
After determining which classes to take, it’s time to register and request your Hazlewood Benefits.

a. Register: How to Enroll in Classes
b. Submit an Enrollment Certification Request

Complete Hazlewood Application:

a. Veteran and 100% Disability Spouse/Dependent Children: Initial Hazlewood Exemption Application
b. Legacy Dependent Children of Veteran (less than 100% disabled): Initial Legacy Hazlewood Exemption Application

Note: The Enrollment Certification Request and Hazlewood Application need to be submitted each semester and lets our office know you would like to use your benefits.  Your benefit will not be processed without these documents, causing delays in your payments.

Additional Information:

a. Parking Services
b. VA Work Study Application
c. National Resource Directory
d. Warrior Scholars Program
e. SALUTE Honor Society
f. Veteran Stole Program
g. VetSuccess on Campus
h. Disability Access and Accommodations

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Contact Us

Ted and Diane Connell Military and Veteran Service Center

Contact us by phone, email or visit us in person.
We are located in Founders Hall, 2nd floor, Suite 221. M-F 8 a.m to 5 p.m.



Our mailing address is Texas A&M University–Central Texas,  ATTN: Military and Veteran Services, 1001 Leadership Place, Killeen, TX 76549.  

Phone: 254.519.5423 Email: [email protected]