Veterans Benefits

The Department of Defense has announced the launch of the Postsecondary Education Complaint System which provides a centralized online reporting system for service members and their families to report problems and lodge complaints against education institutions for unfair or misleading practices. The new complaint system is directly in line with the President's Executive Order establishing the Principles of Excellence for educational institutions serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses and their family members. For more information or to submit a complaint, please visit the  Postsecondary Education Complaint System webpage.

This program generally provides up to 36 months of education benefits for those who served in active duty.  They typically must be used within 10 years following your release from active duty.

• You must have applied for benefits: Application for Benefits Form (VA Form 22-1990)
• Must be accepted to the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
• Enroll in classes for an approved degree-seeking program
• Our office must receive the following forms:

1. Certificate of Eligibility
2. Copy of DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
3. Form 22-1995* - Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
4. JST - Joint Services Transcript

*Note: This is only required if you were previously on benefits

If you are a member of the Selected Reserve this program may be available to you.  The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

• You must have applied for benefits: Application for Benefits Form (VA Form 22-1990)
• Must be accepted to University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
• Enroll in classes for an approved degree-seeking program
• Our office must receive the following forms:

1. Certificate of Eligibility
2. Copy of DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
3. Form 22-1995* - Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
4. Copy of your DD-2384 (NOBE - Notice of Basic Eligibility) from your reserve unit

*Note: This is only required if you were previously on benefits

This program may be available for those with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2011, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

• You must have applied for benefits: Application for Benefits Form (VA Form 22-1990)
• Must be accepted to University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
• Enroll in classes for an approved degree-seeking program
• Our office must receive the following forms:

1. Certificate of Eligibility
2. Copy of DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
3. Form 22-1995* - Request for Change of Program or Place of Training
4. JST - Joint Services Transcript

*Note: This is only required if you were previously on benefits

Pending Payment Compliance 

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA.   HSC will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies and procedures

The Hazelwood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 credit hours of tuition and fee exemptions, including most fee charges.  This does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

Eligibility Requirements

Veterans:

• At the time of entry into active duty the U.S. Armed Forces, designated Texas as Home of Record; or entered the service in Texas; or was a Texas resident;
• Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions as indicated on the Veteran's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214);
• Served at least 181 days of active duty service (excluding training);
• Have no federal Veteran’s education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31; for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;
• Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas;
• Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its cost), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let Veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses; and
• Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy.

Veterans who are granted their first Hazlewood Act exemption beginning fall, 2011 must reside in Texas during the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed. This requirement does not apply to the Veterans who either received the exemption prior to the 2011-2012 academic year, have reenlisted into active duty, or reside with a spouse who is on active duty.

Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veteran:

Spouses and dependent children of eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and Texas National Guard who died in the line of duty or as a result of injury or illness directly related to military service, are missing in action, or who became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of a service-related injury or illness are entitled to each receive a 150 credit hours exemption.

Qualifications

A spouse must:

• Be a spouse of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, be classified by the institution as a Texas resident, designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas;
• Be a spouse of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual employability (IU) due to a service connected injury or illness;
• Have no federal Veterans education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31) for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;
• Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident; and
• Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirements of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy. This requirement does not apply to the spouse of a MIA, KIA, or service connected Veteran.

A child must:

• Be a child of a Veteran who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, be classified by the institution as a Texas resident, designated Texas as Home of Record, or entered the service in Texas;
• Be a child of a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Texas National Guard, or Texas Air National Guard who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness, is missing in action, or became totally disabled (100%) as a result of a service-related injury or illness or is entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate due to individual employability (IU) due to a service connected injury or illness;
• Have no federal Veterans education benefits, or have no federal Veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only (such as Chapter 33 or 31; for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits;
• Be classified by the institution as a Texas resident; and
• Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirements of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy. This requirement does not apply to the spouse of a MIA, KIA, or service connected Veteran.

To Apply:

A Veteran must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university of their choice. 
• Provide proof (DD214) from the Department of Defense regarding military service and the nature of discharge;
• Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill benefits (Chapter 31, 33/Post-9/11) by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from VA Education & Training Webpage (only required if Veteran has active duty service after 9/11/2001);
• Fill out the Hazlewood Exemption application form; and
• Turn in the Hazlewood Exemption application form, a copy of your letter of eligibility/ineligibility, and a copy of your DD214 into the registrar's office of the institution you will be attending.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by the institution no later than the last day of class in order to be evaluated for the semester or term.

A spouse or child of a Veteran whose death was service connected, is MIA, or is/was 100% permanently disabled must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university of their choice. 
• Provide a DD214 and a disability rating letter or a DD1300 Report of Casualty regarding the Veteran's death;
• Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill benefits (Chapter 31, 33/Post/9-11) by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from VA Education & Training Webpage; and
• Fill out the Hazlewood Exemption application form.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by the institution no later than the last day of class of a term in order to be evaluated for that semester or term.

Transferability of Benefits (Hazlewood Legacy Program): Eligible Veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain conditions.

Eligibility Requirements

Qualifications A child (legacy recipient) must:

• Be classified by the institution as 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 old 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
• Meet the GPA and excessive hour requirements of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy.

Legacy recipients will receive an exemption for the number of degree certified hours reported by the institution for that term or semester. Maximum degree certified hours awarded to the Legacy recipient will be dependent upon the degree or certificate program in which the student is enrolled for that term or semester and shall be consistent with the program length as defined within the school catalog as approved by the regional accreditation commission. 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 child. Only one child will use Hazlewood Legacy benefits at a time. Veterans' spouses are not eligible to receive a transfer of unused hours.

To Apply:

Application Process A child (legacy recipient) of a Veteran must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university.
• Fill out the Hazlewood Exemption Application;
• Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill benefits (Chapter 31, 33/Post-9/11) by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from VA Education & Training Webpage and;
• Take both applications, letter of eligibility/ineligibility (if needed), along with a copy of the Veteran’s DD214, to the Registrar & Student Records Office.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by the institution no later than the last day of class of a term in order to be evaluated for that semester or term. Please note that additional documentation may be needed.  Please contact the School Certifying Official (SCO) to find out if anything else is needed.

This program may give benefits relating to a service-connected disability, beneficiaries must be found eligible and entitled in order to qualify.  These benefits may be used 12 years from separation of active military service or from the date which the VA notified the beneficiary of a service-connected disability rating. This program is handled by a VA case manager.  To determine eligibility contact the nearest Veteran's Administration Office at 800-827-1000.

Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA.   HSC will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment;
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
• Provide a written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies and procedures

Benefits for this program are given to students with a 100 percent service-related disability or dependent of the disabled veteran.  This program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.  Certain restrictions and Eligibility requirements apply, please visit the US Department of Veteran's Affairs website to learn more.

• You must have applied for benefits: Application for Benefits Form (VA Form 22-1990)
• Must be accepted to UNT Health Science Center
• Enroll in classes for an approved degree-seeking program
• Our office must receive the following forms:

1. Certificate of Eligibility
2. Copy of DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

3. Form 22-5490 Application for Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance)

Federal VA Benefits | Hazlewood and Hazlewood Legacy