Texas Hazlewood Act

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.

To compare this benefit with other options, ask financial aid for an estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and excluded expenses. Confirm whether it renews annually, what GPA or course load it requires, and whom to contact if the student account does not show the payment. Keep award letters and receipts until the school confirms disbursement.

Official program information and application