Veterans Services

Victoria College offers a wide range of supportive services to empower our student veterans and the veteran communities we serve, and proactively engage them by supporting their academic and professional pursuits. Veterans Services is focused on building a collaborative partnership among Victoria College, our student veterans, and the Victoria Community to ensure students’ academic, professional, and personal goals are met.

Veterans Services is located in the Advising Office, Suite 104, in the Student Success Center. We assist veterans, spouses, and dependents in finding and gathering the required documentation for the Department of Veterans Affairs for federal education benefits, navigating the application process for Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption benefits, and connecting them with helpful community resources.

Veterans Services Overview
Getting Started
If you're a veteran and need assistance getting into or staying in college, we are here to help.
If you’re new to the education benefits process or have used benefits at an institution other than Victoria College, follow these steps.

Apply for Federal Benefits - Review the Federal Benefits Checklist to determine eligibility. If eligible, submit a benefits application through va.gov. The VA can take 30 days or more to respond.

Apply for the State of Texas Hazlewood Exemption Act - Review the State of Texas Hazlewood Exemption Act Checklist to determine eligibility. If eligible, Hazlewood may be an option:
- For students who do not qualify for federal benefits.
- For students who have exhausted all federal tuition benefits.
- For students using federal benefits other than Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 31 benefits.
- For students using Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 31 benefits that do not cover 100% of eligible tuition and fees.
Provide Documentation - Turn in required documentation to the Veterans Services Office.

Enrollment Certification Request Form - Submit the Enrollment Certification Request Form before each semester you wish to use benefits. Benefits will not be awarded until this form and all other documentation are received.
Veteran Benefit Notification Form - Submit the Veteran Benefit Notification Form if you:
- Changed your upcoming semester schedule on your own or with an advisor.
- Recently submitted a request to drop a course, or courses, you are currently enrolled in.
- Have withdrawn from the term and are no longer enrolled in any courses.
- Are requesting an appeal.
Federal VA Education Benefits
Apply for Federal Benefits: Review the Federal Benefits Checklist to determine eligibility. If eligible, submit a benefits application through va.gov. The VA can take 30 days or more to respond.
Provide Documentation: Turn in required documentation to the Veterans Services Office.

Enrollment Certification Request Form: Submit the Enrollment Certification Request Form before each semester you wish to use benefits. Benefits will not be awarded until this form and all other documentation are received.
Veteran Benefit Notification Form - Submit the Veteran Benefit Notification Form if you:
- Changed your upcoming semester schedule on your own or with an advisor.
- Recently submitted a request to drop a course, or courses, you are currently enrolled in.
- Have withdrawn from the term and are no longer enrolled in any courses.
- Are requesting an appeal.
Resources
- Federal VA Education & Benefits Information - Learn how to apply for and manage your education and training benefits.
- Academic Programs Covered by Federal VA Education Benefits – See what programs institutions cover nationwide.
- Federal VA Education Benefits Payments FAQs - Get answers to questions you may have about your payments.
Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption
Apply for the State of Texas Hazlewood Exemption Act: Review the State of Texas Hazlewood Exemption Act Checklist to determine eligibility. If eligible, Hazlewood may be an option:
- For students who do not qualify for federal benefits.
- For students who have exhausted all federal tuition benefits.
- For students using federal benefits other than Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 benefits.
- For students using Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill® or Chapter 31 benefits that do not cover 100% of eligible tuition and fees.
Provide Documentation: Turn in required documentation to the Veterans Services Office.

Enrollment Certification Request Form: Submit the Enrollment Certification Request Form before each semester you wish to use benefits. Benefits will not be awarded until this form and all other documentation are received.
Veteran Benefit Notification Form - Submit the Veteran Benefit Notification Form if you:
- Changed your upcoming semester schedule on your own or with an advisor.
- Recently submitted a request to drop a course, or courses, you are currently enrolled in.
- Have withdrawn from the term and are no longer enrolled in any courses.
- Are requesting an appeal.
Resources
- Hazlewood Act Information & FAQs – Learn more about the State of Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption.
- TVC Hazlewood Database – Veterans and dependents are encouraged to create an account with the Texas Veterans Commission to monitor their Hazlewood hours.

FAQs Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption

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 credit-hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. The eligibility requirements for each Hazlewood Act benefit differ and are drawn from the Hazlewood Act Statute and 40 Texas Administrative Code §461, and can be found on the Texas Veterans Commission Hazlewood Act website.

FAQs
Where can I learn more about the Hazlewood Act? We encourage you to review the program guidance found on the Texas Veterans Commission’s website. Click the FAQ tab for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
What does it pay for? Up to 150 credit hours of resident tuition and many required fees at Texas public institutions.
What is not covered? It does not cover living expenses, e-books, books, payment plan service fees, 3-peat fees, or supply fees (exceptions vary).
Is there an age limit for the Hazlewood Exemption? 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.
I used the Hazlewood Exemption at another school. Do I need to complete another application? Yes. State law requires all schools to maintain their own Hazlewood exemption records. Each school is also required to verify your attempted Hazlewood hours from all previously attended institutions.
Where can I check my Hazlewood hours? The Texas Veterans Commission’s Hazlewood Act Database for Veterans and Students. This database interface allows Veterans, Child (Legacy), and Spouse and Children of a veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 100% total and permanent or missing in action or killed in action to view the Hazlewood hours they have used.
Are there deadlines to apply? Students seeking to use the Hazlewood Act must contact their Veterans Services Specialist at least *six weeks before registration ends*. Late applications may still be processed, but could affect billing. Depending on registration dates and payment deadlines, students may be responsible for arranging payment to remain in courses until all documentation has been received and their application is processed. Applications and all supporting documentation may be submitted no later than the last day of class for any given term. Hazlewood is not retroactive to prior terms.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility for Federal GI Bill® benefits (COE) and how do I get one? 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 GI Bill® benefits (Chapters 31, 33 [Post-9/11]). CoEs may be obtained by completing an Online GI Bill® Application or by calling 1-888-GI-Bill-1.
What if my VA certificate of eligibility is delayed? If you qualify for state education benefits earned through military service and your verification paperwork to the school is delayed, you may apply for up to a 60-day deferment of tuition and fees to avoid late charges and/or being dropped from classes by submitting a Deferment Request Form.
Can I receive both Hazlewood and VA Benefits? 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 the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB, Chapter 30 & Chapter 1606) or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) in conjunction with Hazlewood.
Can I receive both Hazlewood and other forms of financial aid? While the Hazlewood exemption may be used in conjunction with some other forms of financial aid, such as federal grants, outside scholarships, and loans, it must fit within your Cost of Attendance (COA) and contribute to your financial need, if applicable. Certain institutional scholarship and grant funds are intended for tuition and fees only. Consequently, those funds may not be received in addition to the Hazlewood Exemption. 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® or Chapter 31) benefits that are received.
Is there a minimum academic requirement? All Hazlewood recipients must meet cumulative GPA requirements GPA requirements as defined by the Financial Aid Office. GPA requirements are not applicable to the children and spouses of a MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran. Additionally, students must not have completed a number of semester credit hours that is considered to be excessive as outlined in Texas Education Code 54.014. The excessive hours legislative rule is different from the financial aid rule of “maximum time frame for degree completion. 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.
What if I drop a class? If a student drops or withdraws after ORD or specific payment deadlines, Hazlewood hours will remain applied to the account to cover any owed eligible expenses. Students can opt to remove the hours from their account, but will then be responsible for any owed balance on the account. Please note, dropping or withdrawing from a course may also affect your eligibility for financial aid and/or federal VA benefits. Submit the Veteran Benefit Notification Form if you: Changed your upcoming semester schedule on your own or with an advisor. Recently submitted a request to drop a course, or courses, you are currently enrolled in. Have withdrawn from the term and are no longer enrolled in any courses.
How many hours do I need to enroll in to receive the Hazlewood Exemption? There is no minimum course load required to receive the Hazlewood Exemption; however, if you are eligible, there are minimum requirements for both financial aid and federal VA benefits.
Can I pursue two degrees or credentials at the same time? There are no restrictions or prohibitions in the Education Code, or Administrative Code, restricting or denying a Hazlewood Act beneficiary the use of their benefit for more than a single degree plan or restricting how many degrees plans the student may be enrolled in simultaneously. An additional major/degree does not extend the maximum attempted hours limit.
Can assigned Legacy hours be revoked? An eligible Veteran or designee who has assigned unused Hazlewood Exemption hours to a child through the Legacy Act may revoke the assignment of any unused hours [Texas Education Code §54.341(k‐1)].

Updated as of 9/25/2025

Principles of Excellence

On April 27, 2012, President Obama signed Executive Order 13607, establishing the Principles of Excellence for educational institutions service members, veterans, spouses, and other family members. Victoria College fully complies with the seven principles and is dedicated to helping our veteran and non-veteran students succeed. Educational institutions participating in the Principles of Excellence program agree to the following guidelines:

Provide students with a personalized form covering the total cost of an education program.
The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 requires educational institutions to make certain disclosures to students using federal military and/or VA educational benefits. You can access a personalized data sheet by visiting the THECB Net Price Calculator and selecting Victoria College. Additional financial information can be found at the NCES College Navigator site.

The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is a consumer tool that participating institutions will use to notify students about their financial aid package. It is a standardized form that is designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so that they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school. Note: only students who have applied for aid using the FAFSA can use this tool. It can be found in the Pirate Portal.

Students using GI Bill^® Chapter 33 (Post 9/11), Chapter 31 (VR&E), or Fry Scholarship benefits must submit an Enrollment Certification Request Form for benefits processing. The Veterans Advisor will review available benefits, apply them to the bill, and then notify the student to review their bill for remaining debts.

Information to apply for financial aid can be found on VC's Financial Aid webpage.

Provide educational plans for all military and Veteran education beneficiaries.
Students can access their degree plan through the Pirate Portal > Degree Works. A list of all degree plans can be found in the online VC Catalog.

End fraudulent and aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentations.
Victoria College bans all inducements (including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other items having monetary value of more than a de minimis amount) to any individual or entity (other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws) for the purpose of securing enrollment of service members or obtaining access to tuition assistance funds as part of efforts to eliminate aggressive marketing aimed at service members.

Victoria College does not participate in high-pressure recruitment-marketing tactics. Victoria College will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollment of federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.

Accommodate Servicemembers and Reservists absent due to service requirements.
Re-admission is guaranteed, pending proof of compliance with minimal technical standards and the Codes of Academic and Behavioral Conduct, for students whose military reserve obligations may necessitate a period of absence from the academic program when they are called to extended active duty. View more information regarding re-admission in the VC Catalog.

Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advice.
Veterans and their families may contact VC's Veterans Services:

Bailey Koebrick
Veterans Advisor
2200 E. Red River Street
Victoria, TX 77901
(361) 572-6462
Bailey.Koebrick@VictoriaCollege.edu

Ensure accreditation of all new programs prior to enrolling students.
Victoria College works with the State Approving Agency (SAA) to ensure accreditation of new programs prior to enrolling students in those programs.

Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV, which governs the administration of federal student financial aid programs.
Victoria College's institutional refund policy aligns with the Title IV refund policies.

Veteran Community Resources

Schedule an Appointment

Students are required to schedule an appointment to meet with the advisor.
Schedule an appointment with Bailey Koebrick.
Office Hours & Physical Location

Fall & Spring Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Summer Hours
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Fridays

Physical Location
Student Success Center, Suite 104
Building #13 on VC's Campus Map
Veterans Lounge
Contact the Veterans Services Office to reserve.
Physical Location
Student Success Center, Suite 210
Building #13 on VC Campus Map

Programs & Courses

Getting Started

Ways to Pay

Students

Graduation & Beyond

Locations

About VC

Veterans Services