Hazlewood

The Hazlewood Act

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas tuition exemption created to provide education benefits to honorably discharged or separated Texas veterans and to eligible dependent children and spouses of Texas veterans. While veterans and dependents using VA federal education benefits can use Hazlewood concurrently, with Chapter 33 if less than 100%, the value of the two combined cannot exceed the student's tuition and fees.

Hazlewood Act Eligibility Requirements 


 

  • Texas residents at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, or Designated Texas as their Home of Record, or
  • Entered the service in Texas
  • Have received an honorable discharge of separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions
  • Are not in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas
  • Reside in Texas during term of enrollment
  • Certificate of Eligibility for Federal GI Bill® benefits (COE) – Required for veterans who served after September 11, 2001.
  • For each subsequent semester that they apply, are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) per the institution's financial aid policy. Specifically, this means that the dependent must: maintain a financial aid GPA of at least a 2.0 (Financial Aid GPA includes grades from developmental courses) SAP is run at the end of EACH semester.
     
    Note: Chapter 33 and 31 Veterans who are eligible for Hazlewood can use Hazlewood to "stack" on top of their 33/31 benefits to pay any remainder of tuition and fees ONLY not paid by Chapter 33/31 benefits. Students eligible for CH 31 may not use Hazlewood unless they are taking CE classes that are not covered by VA


Collin College Veterans Hazlewood Checklist


Children & Spouses of Veterans who are 100% disabled for reasons of employability.

  • Are the child or spouse of a veteran who was either:
  • A Texas resident at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, or
      • Designated Texas as their Home of Record, or
      • Entered the service in Texas, and
      • Received an honorable discharge of separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions, and is rated by the VA as 100% disabled for reasons of  employability

 

The child or spouse:

  • Must be a resident of Texas as of the term or semester in which they enroll
  • Must not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas
  • For each subsequent semester that they apply, are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) per the institution's financial aid policy. Specifically, this means that the dependent must: maintain a financial aid GPA of at least a 2.0 (Financial Aid GPA includes grades from developmental courses) SAP is run at the end of EACH semester.
     
    Note: Chapter 33 Dependents who are eligible for Hazlewood can use Hazlewood to "stack" on top of their 33 benefits to pay any remainder of tuition and fees ONLY not paid by Chapter 33 benefits. The benefit may not be used for correspondence courses unless the courses are part of the student's degree plan.

 

Collin College Children & Spouse Unemployable Veterans Checklist


Children & Spouses of Veterans who are MIA, KIA, or died of a service-related illness or injury.

  • Are the child or spouse of a veteran who was either:
  • A Texas resident at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, or     
                   - Designated Texas as their Home of Record, or     
                   - Entered the service in Texas, and
  • Received an honorable discharge of separation or a general discharge under  honorable conditions, and
  • Was a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or Texas Air National Guard who was killed in action (KIA), missing in action (MIA), died in service or whose death is documented to be a direct result of injuries or illness connected with service in the armed forces.

    The child or spouse:
  • Must be a resident of Texas as of the term or semester in which they enroll
  • Must not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas
  • Must enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support

Collin College Children & Spouse Deceased Veterans Checklist


Eligible veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain conditions.

 

To be eligible, the child must:

  • Be 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 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
  • For each subsequent semester that they apply, are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) per the institution's financial aid policy. Specifically, this means that the dependent must: maintain a financial aid GPA of at least a 2.0 (Financial Aid GPA includes grades from developmental courses) SAP is run at the end of EACH semester.
    Veterans who transfer benefits to an eligible dependent must reside in Texas during the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed.

 

If a child to whom hours have been delegated fails to use all of the assigned hours, a veteran may re-assign the unused hours that are available to another dependent child.

 

Only 1 person may use benefits at a time. All parties only have 150 hours between them, not each.

Veteran's spouses are not eligible to receive a transfer of unused hours.

Collin College Legacy Checklist

 

First Time using Hazlewood at Collin College Application Process


Step 1: Fill out: Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Initial

  • Veterans applying for the exemption for their own use:   
    • The Term and Year must be filled in
  • Sections labeled, "I am applying as:" and, "I am:" must be filled in
    • Parts A, C and D; all spaces must be completed
  • Form must be signed and dated in ink.

 

  • Chapter 33 students MUST be enrolled at the time they submit their application, because we have to calculate what percentage of tuition and fees the Hazlewood exemption will pay for.

 

Step 2: Provide the following supporting documentation:

  • Provide a copy of the veteran's DD-214 (Member 4 copy.)
  • Submit a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA showing the value of the federal tuition and fees benefits if served after September 11, 2001.
  • Males- if you have not filled out a FAFSA, please fill out the following Selective Services Statement

    Step 3: Hazlewood Online Database Registration:

  • Veterans must register into the Hazlewood online database to use the Hazlewood exemption. In addition, at least once each year, all Hazlewood recipients must provide a copy of the Hazlewood hours used which can be obtained through the student's Hazlewood account. Register or log into your account

    Step 4: Upload your documents by submitting your request by clicking on the Financial Aid Tab and selecting Veterans Services Exemptions (read more).

Important: Please check with the cashier's office after Hazlewood posts each semester to pay the student services fee.
If you do not pay this fee, you could be dropped for non-payment.


Step 1: Fill out Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Initial 

  • The Term & Year must be filled in
  • Sections labeled, "I am applying as:" and, "I am:" must be filled in Parts A (with the exception of veteran's ID number and the address, phone and email IF the veteran is deceased), B, C and D; all spaces must be completed
  • Form must be signed and dated in ink (does NOT need veteran's signature)

    Step 2: Provide the following supporting documentation:

  • Provide a copy of the veteran's DD-214 (Member 4 copy.)

  • If the veteran died while in service: Report of Casualty, Form DD 1300

  • If the veteran is deceased (not service connected): Death Certificate (for a Legacy transfer by legal guardian)

  • If the veteran is totally disabled or rated 100% disabled for reasons of employability: You must have a current (within 1 year) disability ratings letter from the VA indicating that rating

  • If you are not the veteran, you must provide relationship documentation: Submit either a marriage license (for spouses), a birth certificate, adoption paperwork or a recent tax return transcript showing dependent status (for children).
    Males- if you have not filled out a FAFSA, please fill out the following Selective Services Statement

Step 3: Hazlewood Online Database Registration:

  • All Applicants must register into the Hazlewood online database to use the Hazlewood exemption. In addition, at least once each year, all Hazlewood recipients must provide a copy of the Hazlewood hours used which can be obtained through the student's Hazlewood account. Register or log into your account


Step 4: Upload your documents by submitting your request by clicking on the Financial Aid Tab and selecting Veterans Services Exemptions (read more).

 

Important: Please check with the cashier's office after Hazlewood posts each semester to pay the student services fee. 
If you do not pay this fee, you could be dropped for non-payment.


Step 1:  Fill out Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Initial

 

  • The Term & Year must be filled in
  • Sections labeled, "I am applying as:" and, "I am:" must be filled in Parts A (with the exception of veteran's ID number and the address, phone and email IF the veteran is deceased), B, C, D and E all spaces must be completed
  • Form must be signed and dated by both student and veteran in ink.

    Step 2: Provide the following supporting documentation:

  • Provide a copy of the veteran's DD-214 (Member 4 copy.)
  • If you must provide relationship documentation: Submit either a birth certificate, adoption paperwork or a recent tax return transcript showing dependent status.
  • Veterans must reside in the State of Texas during the term the exemption will be used by themselves and in the case of transfer of benefits to an eligible child (Legacy).
  • Males- if you have not filled out a FAFSA, please fill out the following Selective Services Statement

    Step 3: Hazlewood Online Database Registration:

All Applicants must register into the Hazlewood online database to use the Hazlewood exemption. In addition, at least once each year, all Hazlewood recipients must provide a copy of the Hazlewood hours used which can be obtained through the student's Hazlewood account.
Register or log into your account

 

Step 4: Upload your documents by submitting your request by clicking on the Financial Aid Tab and selecting Veterans Services Exemptions (read more).

 

 

Important: Please check with the cashier's office after Hazlewood posts each semester to pay the student services fee.
If you do not pay this fee, you could be dropped for non-payment.

 

Hazlewood Renewal Application Process

  1. Complete the renewal application

    A Renewal Application needs to be completed each academic year. 

    Renewal Application
  2. Obtain Hazlewood Hours

    A copy of the Hazlewood Hours can be obtained from the TVC Online Database.

  3. Upload Documents

    Upload your documents by submitting your request by clicking on the Financial Aid Tab and selecting Veterans Services Exemptions

A Renewal Application needs to be completed each academic year. 

Renewal Application

A copy of the Hazlewood Hours can be obtained from the TVC Online Database.

Upload your documents by submitting your request by clicking on the Financial Aid Tab and selecting Veterans Services Exemptions

Important Notes:

  • Please check with the cashier's office after Hazlewood posts each semester to pay the student services fee. If you do not pay this fee, you could be dropped for non-payment.
  • Note on SAP:  Please realize that each subsequent semester, your exemption MAY be posted prior to SAP running for that semester. If, upon the SAP program running, you are NOT meeting the SAP requirements, the exemption will be removed from your account and you will be responsible for paying your tuition and fees out-of-pocket.

Hazlewood Award Amount

Eligible veterans, their children and spouses may receive an exemption from the payment of tuition, dues and fees, excluding deposit fees, student services fees, and any fees or charges for books, lodging, board or clothing for *up to 150 semester credit hours.  

Legislature

Visit the Texas Veterans Commission website and read more about the Hazlewood Exemption.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site.

 

Additional Links