Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

"Higher Education for Veterans"

Our office was recently contacted by an army infantry officer deployed to Baghdad from Fort Bliss.  He was concerned that servicemembers returning from combat often miss out on an opportunity to seek higher education, whether it is due to a lack of funding or otherwise.  

Fortunately, we here in Texas recognize the enormous sacrifice that our country's servicemembers make every day they put on their uniform.  In return, the Texas Legislature has worked hard to ensure that that state provides opportunities for these heroes to achieve the highest level of education that they desire.  Texas has a number of state level education benefits available for both active servicemembers and veterans. In 2003, our office worked hard to create a "one stop" Internet website for our state's veterans.  The Texas E-Vets website is a great source of information regarding the education benefits available to active servicemembers and veterans.  Click here to access the E-Vets website, and click here to view a list of the state education benefits. 

For active duty military, the College for Texans website has a lot of information, including: 

• In-state tuition if Texas is your permanent residence.  Information on how to change your permanent residence to Texas can be found here;
• If Texas is not your permanent residence, there are a variety of tuition waivers available:

o        If you are stationed in Texas

o        During first assignment after Texas

o        If family intent is to make Texas home

o        Survivors

o        Spouse and dependents who previously lived in Texas

o        Honorably discharged or separated veterans

o        ROTC students

o        NATO forces

o        Radiological Science students at Midwestern State University

• Tuition refunds for reservists and National Guardsmen called to active duty after starting a semester; and
• A wide-variety of financial aid programs.
  

For veterans, I recommend checking out the Texas Veterans Website.  I want to especially point out the Hazlewood Act.  The Hazlewood Act exempts qualified veterans and qualified dependent children of certain deceased veterans from all tuition and most fee charges for public institutions of higher education in Texas.  Who exactly qualifies?  Veterans who:

• Are citizens of the United States at the time of entry;
• Are Texas residents
• Were Texas residents at the time they entered the U. S. Armed Forces
• Have served at least 181 days of active military duty, as indicated as "net active service"
• Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions
• Have Federal veterans education benefits for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits. (PELL and SEOG Grants are not relevant as of fall 2005.)
• Are not in default on a federal education loan or a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas; and
• 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 costs), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses.

And dependents who:

• Has a parent who died as a result of service related injuries or illness or whose parent became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of service related injury or illness.
• Are U. S. citizens;
• Are Texas residents; and
• are not in default of a Federal Education loan or a loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas.
  

For more information on the Hazlewood Act, click here.

Our state's servicemembers and veterans deserve recognition and honor for their service to our country.  Our office consistently has the best interest of these individuals at hear.  You can review the military-related legislation our office filed, sponsored, and co-authored during the 80th Legislative Session by clicking here and going to page 29.