NOTE: Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) students must visit their representative at the local VA office to begin their application process.

Hazlewood Benefits

A Texas veteran may qualify for benefits under the Hazlewood Act if he or she:

1. Was a United States citizen or a Texas resident at the time of entry into the armed forces of the United States.

2. Served at least 181 consecutive days of active military duty (calculated as the sum items in 12(c) and 12 (d) on the Member 4

copy of the DD214) not including the training days.

3. Received an honorable discharge, a general discharge under honorable conditions, or an honorable release from active duty.

4. Has resided in Texas for at least 12 months or otherwise meets the state requirements for being considered a resident of Texas at the time of enrollment in UHCL.

5. Has attempted fewer than 150 credit hours of college courses since the fall of 1995 using the Hazlewood exemption.

6. Has exhausted eligibility for federal veteran’s educational benefits during the semester/term in which they are enrolled.

7. Is not in default on any education loans made or guaranteed by the Federal Government or the State of Texas.

8. Is enrolled in an eligible program of study. (An institution may not grant a Hazlewood Act exemption for continuing education courses).

9. Beginning with the registration for Spring 2006, all recipients MUST complete a statewide application for Hazlewood exemption from Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before the Census Date of each semester.

Hazlewood benefits are not transferred from one college or university to another. Veterans must reapply and provide our office with all of the following documents:

• Statewide Hazlewood Application
  
• A copy of the military separation papers (Member 4 copy of the DD214), which must state the separation date, time served, honorable discharge, and the home of record must be Texas. If the home of record is not on the DD214, a copy of enlistment papers, which shows the home of record, is required.
  
• A letter from the VARO in Muskogee, OK stating all Federal VA educational benefits has been exhausted. (1-888-442-4551).
  
• A copy of the birth certificate for first-time recipients to prove citizenship.
  
• If the veteran was not a citizen of the United States at the time he or she entered the service, a copy of the high school diploma or transcript is needed for first-time recipients to prove Texas residency.
  
• A Record of credit hours received under the Hazlewood exemption from all institution of higher education in Texas other than UHCL.
  
• Military personnel who have served only in the Reserve or National Guard and whose units have never been called upon to serve as active duty for a minimum of 181 days do not qualify for the Hazlewood exemption of tuition and fees.
  

Note: Policies and procedures are subject to change according to the developing guidelines of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the Hazlewood program. For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Hazlewood Exemption Deadline

All students MUST turn in the statewide Hazlewood application by the official census date each semester. Please refer to the Calendar of Important Dates on p. 4-7 for the official census dates for each semester.

Scholarships

Current/Continuing UHCL student scholarship applications are accepted each year during the month of February. Applications for Fall 2008, Spring 2009, and Summer 2009 semesters will be available Friday, February 1, 2008. These applications will be due on Friday, February 29, 2008. For more information on UHCL scholarships as well as other scholarships, please visit our website at www.uhcl.edu/scholarships.