Veterans Educational Benefits
Each DCCCD college has a veteran services office to assist veterans and their dependents (spouses and children) with completing the required documentation to apply for applicable federal and state education benefits. The college veteran services office may provide information about educational benefits and assist with accomplishing enrollment and arranging tutoring services. Individual college offices may also offer a variety of additional services to support the student veteran community to assist in the achievement of their educational and career goals.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers a variety of programs supporting the educational pursuits of veterans and their dependents and is the sole determining authority for eligibility of these programs. The DCCCD college veteran services office are staffed to assist veterans and their dependents (spouses and children) with completing the application and certification procedures required to receive the appropriate VA educational benefit. For more information about specific VA benefits please visit the GI Bill website: www.gibill.va.gov.
VA regulations are subject to change without notice. Contact the college veteran services office for information about current regulations and procedures. Direct questions about specific financial benefits to the VA Regional Office at 1-888-442-4551.
Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption
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.
Veteran Qualifications
To be eligible a Veteran must:
- At the time of entry into active duty the U.S. Armed Forces, designated Texas as Home of Record; or entered the service in Texas; or was a Texas resident;
- 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 (DD Form 214);
- Served at least 181 days of active duty service (excluding training);
- 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;
- Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;
- 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
- Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy.
Veterans who are granted their first Hazlewood Act exemption beginning fall, 2011 must reside in Texas during the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed. This requirement does not apply to the Veterans who either received the exemption prior to the 2011-2012 academic year, have reenlisted into active duty, or reside with a spouse who is on active duty.
Legacy Act (Child)
Eligible Veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain conditions.
Qualifications
A child (legacy recipient) must:
- Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident;
- Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or 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); and
- Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirements of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy.
For more information regarding Hazlewood Exemptions for Veterans, Spouses and Dependents go to http://www.tvc.texas.gov/Hazlewood-Act.aspx.
Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child
Spouses and dependent children of eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and Texas National Guard who died in the line of duty or as a result of injury or illness directly related to military service, are missing in action, or who became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of a service-related injury or illness are entitled to each receive a 150 credit hours exemption.
Qualifications
A Spouse/Child spouse must:
Be a Spouse/Child of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, be classified by the institution as a Texas resident, - designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas;
- Be a Spouse/Child of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual employability (IU) due to a service connected injury or illness;
- 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 or 31) for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;
- Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident; and
- Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirements of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy. This requirement does not apply to the Spouse/Child of a MIA, KIA, or service connected deceased Veteran.
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