REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST
STATE OF TEXAS HAZLEWOOD ACT EXEMPTION
Veterans Services Specialist: Bailey Koebrick ∙ (361) 572-6462 ∙ Bailey.Koebrick@VictoriaCollege.edu

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees. To learn more about the Hazlewood Act and eligibility criteria at tvc.texas.gov.

Students seeking veterans’ educational benefits must contact their Veterans Services Specialist six weeks before registration. All benefit recipients (excluding Chapters 31, 33, & Hazlewood) are required to pay their educational costs upfront since the VA will pay funding directly to the student. The Hazlewood Act Exemption will not be applied to the student’s account until the Veterans Services Specialist has received all required documents. Depending on registration dates and payment deadlines, students may be responsible for arranging payment to remain in courses until all documentation has been received. Additional information can be found in the Victoria College Catalog (pages 66 & 67).

Veteran Education Benefits	Survivors & Dependents Education Benefits	
Hazlewood Act	Hazlewood Child (Legacy) Act	
	Hazlewood Spouse / Dependent Act	

Veteran

•	Enrollment Certification Request - Pirate Portal > Student Home Page > Student Resources > Veterans Services Request Form > Enrollment Certification Request Form. Submit every semester you want to claim your educational benefits.

•	Certificate of Eligibility for Federal GI Bill Benefits - Provide proof of eligibility or ineligibility for GI Bill® benefits by requesting a certificate of eligibility for federal education benefits from VA.gov. If the veteran’s final discharge is before 9/11/2001, the certificate of eligibility is not required.

(The VA usually decides on applications within 30 days, and you'll receive a Certificate of Eligibility or decision letter in the mail. This timeframe can be longer for first-time users and during peak Regional Processing periods.)

•	Report of Separation or Discharge, DD Form 214 - Member 4 (and DD Form 215 if the DD Form 214 has been amended) – To verify the veteran’s place of entry, home of record at the time of entry, character of service, length of service, and dates of service. The copy provided must be legible and contain the information listed above. To obtain copies of your DD-214 and other records, visit eBenefits or National Archives.

•	Military Transcripts – Copy of transcripts or confirmation page showing official transcripts have been ordered from the Joint Military Transcripts (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

Child (Legacy) – Transferred Hours

•	Enrollment Certification Request - Pirate Portal > Student Home Page > Student Resources > Veterans Services Request Form > Enrollment Certification Request Form. Submit every semester you want to claim your educational benefits.

•	Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application - Pirate Portal > Resources > Veterans Services > Forms > New Hazlewood Legacy User Application.

•	Relationship Documentation – Submit one or more of the following documents to verify your relationship to the eligible veteran: Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Adoption Papers, or Recent IRS Tax Transcript.

•	Certificate of Eligibility for Federal GI Bill Benefits - VA Certificate of Eligibility/ Letter of Eligibility/ Denial Letter or a printout of your GI Bill Statement of Benefits from va.gov proving the dependent is eligible or ineligible for Post 9/11 GI bill. Dated within 12 months. See below for steps. If the veteran’s final discharge is before 8/1/2009 (retired or separated), the certificate of eligibility is not required.

a.	After clicking hyperlink above, select “Apply for education benefits” > “Applying for new benefit” > “No” > “Yes” > “Apply Now”. Students will then receive a VA Certificate of Eligibility/ Letter of Eligibility or a Denial Letter for Post 9/11 GI bill.

(The VA usually decides on applications within 30 days, and you'll receive a Certificate of Eligibility or decision letter in the mail. This timeframe can be longer for first-time users and during peak Regional Processing periods.)

•	Report of Separation or Discharge, DD Form 214 - Member 4 (and DD Form 215 if the DD Form 214 has been amended) – To verify the veteran’s place of entry, home of record at the time of entry, character of service, length of service, and dates of service. The copy provided must be legible and contain the information listed above. To obtain copies of your DD-214 and other records, visit eBenefits or National Archives.

Spouse/ Dependent

•	Enrollment Certification Request - Pirate Portal > Student Home Page > Student Resources > Veterans Services Request Form > Enrollment Certification Request Form. Submit every semester you want to claim your educational benefits.

•	Relationship Documentation – Submit one or more of the following documents to verify your relationship to the eligible veteran: Birth Certificate, or Marriage Certificate, or Adoption Papers, or Recent IRS Tax Transcript.

•	Certificate of Eligibility for Federal GI Bill Benefits - VA Certificate of Eligibility/ Letter of Eligibility/ Denial Letter or a printout of your GI Bill Statement of Benefits from va.gov proving the dependent is eligible or ineligible for Post 9/11 GI bill. Dated within 12 months. See below for steps. If the veteran’s final discharge is before 8/1/2009 (retired or separated), the certificate of eligibility is not required.

a.	After clicking hyperlink above, select “Apply for education benefits” > “Applying for new benefit” > “No” > “Yes” > “Apply Now”. Students will then receive a VA Certificate of Eligibility/ Letter of Eligibility or a Denial Letter for Post 9/11 GI bill.

(The VA usually decides on applications within 30 days, and you'll receive a Certificate of Eligibility or decision letter in the mail. This timeframe can be longer for first-time users and during peak Regional Processing periods.)

•	Report of Separation or Discharge, DD Form 214 - Member 4 (and DD Form 215 if the DD Form 214 has been amended) – To verify the veteran’s place of entry, home of record at the time of entry, character of service, length of service, and dates of service. The copy provided must be legible and contain the information listed above. To obtain copies of your DD-214 and other records, visit eBenefits or National Archives.

•	If the Veteran is totally disabled or individually unemployable due to military service‐related illness or injury: You must have a current (within one year) disability ratings decision letter from the VA indicating that rating.

•	If the Veteran died while in service: Report of Casualty, Form DD Form 1300 – To verify the Veteran’s place of entry or home of record and that his/her death was service related.

Guest (For Child (Legacy) Students Only)
(Students pursuing a degree at another college or university taking courses at Victoria College that apply 
to a program at their primary institution)

•	All Child (Legacy) requirements as noted above.

•	Parent Institution Letter (PIL) - Request that a letter from your primary school listing the course(s) to be transferred be sent to Victoria College.

Continuing Hazlewood Student (All)
(For students who have used benefits at Victoria College within the last three years)
Required EVERY SEMESTER benefit is used

•	Enrollment Certification Request - Pirate Portal > Student Home Page > Student Resources > Veterans Services Request Form > Enrollment Certification Request Form. Submit every semester you want to claim your educational benefits.

Helpful Links

About the Hazlewood Act Exemption: https://tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/

Texas Veterans Commission: https://tvc.texas.gov/

Victoria College Catalog (pages 66 & 67):
https://www.victoriacollege.edu/docs/default-source/collegeadvancement/marketing/publications/catalog/catalog2024_09172024.pdf?sfvrsn=ccb22046_3

Enrollment Certification Request:
https://federation.ngwebsolutions.com/sp/startSSO.ping?PartnerIdpId=https://sts.windows.net/9f7000b0-cb48-4a38-ba59-13eb9ab73890/&SpSessionAuthnAdapterId=victoriaDF&TargetResource=https%3a%2f%2fdynamicforms.ngwebsolutions.com%2fSubmit%2fStart%2f14ea86b4-680a-4181-8d6a-9ca71c0fe02a

Certificate of Eligibility/ Statement of Benefits: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.va.gov/

National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

eBenefits: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=military-personnel-file

Joint Military Transcripts (JST): https://jst.doded.mil/jst/

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF): https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Registrar/Transcript-Requests/

IRS Tax Transcript: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

Helpful (Federal Benefit) Links

About GI Bill Benefits: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/

GI Bill Comparison Tool: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/

How to Apply for The GI Bill and Related Benefits: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD):
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/

Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E):
https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/

Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/

Chapter 1606 – Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR):
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/

Chapter 35 – Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA):
https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/

Fry Scholarship: https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/fry-scholarship/

Transferred Post - 9/11 GI Bill: https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/transferred-benefits/