Legal dependents of Texas veterans include: biological children, adopted children, step-children, and tax-claimed dependents. They are eligible to receive up to 150 credit hours, provided that the veteran parent has not previously used any of the hours. Documentation providing dependency must be provided before benefits can be applied.

There is no deadline to apply for Hazlewood at TJC.  However, we would recommend starting the process at least 60 days prior to the term you want to start.  We continue to process late applications in the order they are received. However, applicants who submit documentation within 30 days of the start of the term are strongly encouraged to consider a payment plan if available or using federal financial aid in order to meet the payment deadline. Hazlewood is not retroactive to prior terms after the Official Reporting Date (ORD).

All undergraduate and graduate Hazlewood recipients (Veteran, Legacy, and Dependent of 100% Disabled Veteran) must meet remain in good academic and financial aid standing. Legacy Act students must be enrolled in a degree program and may not exempt more than the degree plan maximum hours. Hazlewood Exemption benefits will not be processed for subsequent terms until the previous term’s academic progress has been reviewed and continuing program eligibility has been verified.

The above GPA requirements are not applicable to the children and spouses of a MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran.

There is no minimum course load required to receive the Hazlewood Exemption; however, if you are eligible, there are minimum requirements if using either/both financial aid and/or federal VA benefits.

If you drop a course before the first day of class, the hours related to the dropped course(s) will not be charged toward your Hazlewood eligibility. However, if you drop or withdraw from a course(s) after the first day of class, the hours related to the course(s) dropped will be deducted from your Hazlewood eligibility.

Please note, dropping or withdrawing from a course may also affect your eligibility for financial aid and/or federal VA benefits. Ensure you visit the Veterans Affairs Office, Academic Advising, and the Financial Aid Office before deciding to drop courses after the first day of class.

In order to maintain eligibility for the Legacy Program under the Hazlewood Exemption, a student must be 25 years or younger on the first day of the term for which the exemption is claimed (unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition). There is no age limit for a veteran or for the spouse or child of a veteran who was 100% disabled or deceased as a result of service-related injury or illness.

Select certificate programs and continuing education courses are not eligible for the Hazlewood exemption for the reason that the school does not receive state formula funding (tax support) for these programs. If unsure about eligibility for either of these categories, email Veterans@tjc.edu.

A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is an official correspondence from the VA stating your federal education benefits status. The certificate will state whether you have exhausted your eligibility for benefits (Chapters 31, 33 [Post-9/11]). COEs may be obtained by completing an online application or by calling 1-888-GI-Bill-1.

Yes. State law requires all schools to maintain their own Hazlewood exemption records. Each school also is required to verify your attempted Hazlewood hours from all previously attended institutions.

A student may use Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) or Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation) with Hazlewood during the same term if the combination of benefits does not exceed the total amount of tuition and fees. In either case, Hazlewood benefits may cover eligible tuition and fees that are not covered by Ch. 33 or Ch. 31 tuition and fees payments. A student may receive the full amount of federal education benefits issued under Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB, Chapter 30 & Chapter 1606), Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607), or Post Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, Chapter 32) in conjunction with Hazlewood.

While the Hazlewood exemption may be used in conjunction with some other forms of financial aid, such as federal grants, outside scholarships, loans, and work-study, it must fit within your Cost of Attendance (COA) and contribute to your financial need, if applicable. If financial aid is already disbursed or awarded at the time your Hazlewood exemption is approved, adjustments may be made to your financial aid to allow for the exemption. Additionally, exemption amounts will be adjusted to allow for any federal VA education (Post-9/11 GI Bill) benefits that are received.

This is important information for TJC to know early in the process by emailing the Veterans Affairs Office at Veterans@tjc.edu.  This could create additional hours consideration for multiple dependents.

Tyler Junior College (TJC) acknowledges that military students may be temporarily unable to attend classes or be required to suspend their studies in order to perform military service. TJC encourages such students to resume their education once a military service obligation has ended and adopts this policy to ensure the timely readmission of such students.

In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DOD) Voluntary Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), TJC will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a uniformed service obligation.