Welcome To Office Hours HAZLEWOOD ACT

Hazlewood Act Education Benefit o Introduction o What is the Hazlewood Act? o What does It cover? o Eligibility Requirements o Hazlewood Act Application o Q&A

Texas Veterans Commission Mission: To Advocate for and provide superior service to veterans in the areas of claims Representation and Counseling, Veteran Employment Services, Veteran Education Services, and Fund for Veteran Assistance grand funding that will significantly improve the quality of Life for all Texas Veterans and their Families.

o Claims Representation and Counseling o Employment Services o Education Services o Fund for Veterans Assistance o Veteran Entrepreneur Program o Women Veteran Program o Military Veteran Peer Network o Health Care Advocacy Program Texas Veterans Commission(Cont.)

What is the 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 fees charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas.

What does the Hazlewood Act cover? o Exemption from the payment of tuition, fees, dues, and required charges, except deposits and student services fees for 150 credit hours (books not included) o Only accepted at Texas Public college or university o Eligible classes must receive state tax support, known as “formula funding” * Private Institutions of higher education are not eligible. The institution must be a Texas Public College or University

Eligibility Requirements For Veterans Meet one of the following “time entry” requirements: o Entered the service in Texas; o Declared Texas as home of record at the time of entry; o Resident of Texas at the time of entry o Served at least 181 days of active duty service, this does not include basic training; o Honorably discharged or discharged under honorable conditions; o Not in default on state loan through the THECB.

Frequently Asked Questions Question Does basic training count towards the number of Active duty days? Answer No. Basic Training is excluded.

Frequently Asked Questions Question If a veteran joins in a another state but moves to Texas during their service and retires in Texas, do they qualify? Answer No. You must have entered the service in the state of Texas. The state you retire/discharge is not associated with the qualifications.

Frequently Asked Questions Question Is there a way to qualify if you did not enter the service in the state of Texas? Answer If you are a Texas Veteran that entered the service at a Military Entry Processing Station (MEPS) in another state but you can prove you were a Texas Resident at the time, you will qualify. You will need to provide a Texas High School transcript indicating graduation within one year of enlistment. If your enlistment date is one year or more after your graduation you will be required to provide proof of residency.

Eligibility Requirements for Spouse or child of Veteran KIA, MIA, or totally disabled for purpose of employability Must be Spouse or child of a Veteran who: o Killed in Action o Missing in Action o Became totally disabled for purpose of employability o Meets time of entry requirements Spouse/Child: o Must be a Texas Resident o Each recipient can apply for 150 hours o No age Limit *If the Veteran has multiple children, they can all apply to receive 150 hours.

Legacy Act Transferring unused hours to a child of a veteran that IS NOT KIA,MIA, or Totally disabled. 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 a dependent for current or previous tax year on IRS Recipient must be 25 years old or younger on first day of class 5. Recipient must enroll in a degree or certificate program and maintain satisfactory academic progress. 6. Recipient must meet the institution’s resident tuition requirements. 7. Provide DD 214 or equivalent supporting documentation. Veterans May: o Have only one child use hours at a time. o Transfer or revoke hours at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions Question If the Dependent turns 26 in the middle of the semester, will they still be able to finish out that term? Answer Yes. As long as the dependent is not older than 25 on the first day of the Semester, they will be able to use the benefit.

Application Process

Application Process Required for Veterans o Hazlewood Application o DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or o DD 215 Correction to the DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty o VA Certificate of Eligibility for GI Bill Benefits (required if Veteran served after 9/11/2001) *Turn all paperwork into your school’s Hazlewood Act administrator

VA Certificate of Eligibility

Application Process Spouse or child of a Veteran that has KIA, MIA, or totally disabled: o Hazlewood Application o DD 214 OR DD 215 OF Veteran o DD 1300 Report of Casualty form if the Veteran is KIA o VA rating Decision Letter if the Veteran is totally disabled o Birth Certificate, Adoption Documentation, or IRS o Marriage Certificate for Spouse

Application Process Required for Legacy Applicant o Hazlewood Application o DD 214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and/or o DD 215: Correction to DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty o Birth Certificate, Adoption Documentation, IRS 1040 from current or previous year indicating the child’s dependency o For step-children a combination of a birth certificate and marriage license to the spouse n lieu of IRS 1040 o Death Certificate if Veteran is deceased.

Can’t find your DD 214?

Hazlewood Online Database Registration Must be in accordance with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

Hazlewood Online Database Registration

Stacking Hazlewood benefits and Federal Benefits o Hazlewood eligibility will be based off of the Veterans current election of federal benefits o Federal benefits that are dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees such as Post 9/11 benefits must be considered when granting Hazlewood. o Stacking is allowed if the value of Ch.33 benefits is less than or equal to the value of Hazlewood.

Questions?