Texas Hazlewood Act: tuition exemption, credit-hour limits, and how to apply

Hazlewood is a Texas benefit for eligible veterans, their spouses, and certain dependent children: it exempts up to 150 semester credit hours of tuition and most fees at Texas public higher-education institutions. It does not pay living costs, books, or supplies, and the college makes the final eligibility determination. The credit-hour limit is tracked across use of the benefit.

For veterans, state criteria include having listed Texas as home of record upon entry, entered service in Texas, or been a Texas resident; an honorable or general-under-honorable-conditions discharge and at least 181 days of active duty excluding training are also required. Spouses and dependents follow separate criteria, and other rules may affect simultaneous federal benefits.

There is no single application that guarantees an exemption at every campus: students submit a Hazlewood packet to the financial-aid office at the school where they enroll. Documents may include a DD-214, residency evidence, service record, and, for dependents, proof of relationship and eligibility. The school reviews the case and tracks hours used; apply well before each term.

Ask the public college in writing how it processes Hazlewood and whether veterans, spouses, and dependents need different documents. The exemption can affect other aid and hour tracking; submit before the campus deadline even though the state law does not set one nationwide closing date.

Before applying, confirm that the school and program participate, check cycle requirements and dates, keep a copy and submission receipt, and ask how the award coordinates with FAFSA and other benefits. Do not budget funds that have not been awarded.

When comparing options, identify whether the benefit is a scholarship, grant, tuition exemption, or loan: not all aid must be repaid or applies to the same charges. Ask the college for a written estimate after FAFSA and other awards, check renewal and academic-progress rules, and do not accept a loan thinking it is a scholarship.

Read the program profile and the federal FAFSA guide; confirm with the administrator how the aid coordinates.

Hazlewood Act — Texas Military Department.

Hazlewood Act — Texas Veterans Commission.

Guide checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Cycles, funding, and eligibility can change; confirm the cycle for your academic year with the administrator and your school financial-aid office.

Bottom line

Confirm eligibility, current terms, and application steps with the official source before relying on aid for college costs.

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