The Texas Hazelwood Act is one of the most generous state education benefits for veterans in the entire country. It provides eligible Texas veterans with up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at public colleges and universities—and unused hours can even be transferred to dependents.
What the Hazelwood Act Covers
- Tuition: Exempt from tuition charges
- Fees: Exempt from most required fees
- Credit Hours: Up to 150 semester credit hours
- Institutions: All Texas public colleges and universities
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Hazelwood Act, you must meet ALL of the following:
- Texas Resident: Entered the military as a Texas resident, OR resided in Texas for at least one year before enrolling
- Military Service: Served at least 181 days of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Discharge: Received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions
- GI Bill Status: Have attempted all available federal education benefits (GI Bill) OR be ineligible for those benefits
Important: GI Bill Requirement
Texas requires you to attempt using federal GI Bill benefits before using Hazelwood. This doesn’t mean you must exhaust them—you just need to have applied for and attempted to use them. If you’re ineligible for the GI Bill, you can use Hazelwood without this requirement.
Legacy Program: Transfer to Dependents
One of the best features of the Hazelwood Act is the Legacy Program, which allows veterans to transfer unused hours to their children:
- Transfer Amount: Unused hours (up to 150 total between veteran and dependents)
- Eligible Dependents: Biological children, adopted children, stepchildren, or dependent claimed on tax return
- Requirements: Child must be a Texas resident and meet academic requirements
What’s NOT Covered
The Hazelwood Act does not cover:
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Student services fees at some institutions
- Private university tuition
- Out-of-state institutions
How to Apply
- Gather Documents: DD-214, proof of Texas residency, transcripts
- Apply for GI Bill: Complete your federal benefits application first
- Contact School: Work with your school’s Veterans Affairs office
- Submit Hazelwood Application: Complete the application through your institution
- Certification: School certifies your eligibility each semester
Using Hazelwood with GI Bill
You can use Hazelwood and GI Bill together, but there are strategic considerations:
- Option 1: Use GI Bill first (includes housing allowance), then Hazelwood for remaining hours
- Option 2: Use Hazelwood for tuition, save GI Bill for graduate school
- Housing Note: Hazelwood does NOT include a housing allowance—GI Bill does
Participating Institutions
All Texas public institutions participate, including:
- University of Texas System schools
- Texas A&M System schools
- Texas State University
- University of Houston System
- All Texas community colleges
- Texas Tech University
Tips for Maximizing Hazelwood
- Plan strategically: Decide whether to use GI Bill or Hazelwood first based on your needs
- Consider housing: If you need the housing allowance, use GI Bill first
- Think about dependents: If you might transfer to children, preserve hours
- Community college first: Complete basics at community college to maximize university hours
- Apply early: Process your application well before the semester starts
Contact Information
For questions about the Hazelwood Act:
- Texas Veterans Commission: tvc.texas.gov/education
- Your School’s VA Office: Contact directly for application assistance
