Benefit Certification and Information

Apply for Montgomery GI Bill®

Apply for Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill®

Note: Students utilizing Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606 must log in to the WAVES online system and verify their enrollment each month on the first day of the month to ensure timely payment of benefit stipend.

WAVES online system

Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) - Chapter 30

Chapter 30 has four eligibility categories. The benefits generally apply to Veterans who began active duty service for the first time after June 30, 1985, had their pay reduced $100 a month for 12 months, and received an honorable discharge. For further information on the four eligibility categories, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp. 

To be eligible for education payments under chapter 30, Veterans must have received an Honorable discharge. This would exclude those Veterans with a General Under Honorable Conditions discharge or any other discharge other than Honorable. This also excludes officers who obtained their commission after 12/31/76, through a military academy (Annapolis, West Point, Air Force Academy, or Coast Guard Academy), or through an ROTC scholarship program (payments exceeding$3,400/year). 

Individuals released from active duty with an Honorable discharge by reason of Convenience of the Government (COG) with 20 months of service on a two-year contract, or 30 months on a three- year contract, are eligible even if they did not complete their full contract period. They will receive 36 months of MGIB-AD at the appropriate rate. Other eligibility rules and exceptions may be applicable. 

Chapter 30 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the Veteran. 

Chapter 30 Kickers and Additional Contributions

Higher monthly benefits are paid to chapter 30 participants with “kickers” and to chapter 30 participants who make additional chapter 30 payments. Veterans may have a kicker, additional contributions, or both. The higher benefit rates are paid automatically when benefits are paid. If Veterans don’t receive the benefit they believe they are entitled to receive, they should submit a question through the “Submit a Question” feature on the GI Bill homepage about the discrepancy so that the VA can resolve the discrepancy with the Department of Defense. A kicker is part of the enlistment contract. It might be referred to as Army College Fund or Navy Sea College Fund. If a contract has a $12,000 kicker, for example, then the monthly kicker is $333.33 ($12,000 ÷ 36 months). 

Chapter 1606 is an educational program for members who are actively participating in the Selected Reserve. Selected Reserve components include the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) determine who’s eligible for chapter 1606. The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program and pays benefits.

Basic eligibility requires a 6-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve and satisfactory participation in required Selected Reserve training. chapter 1606 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the reservist. 

Chapter 1606 Kickers

An additional amount, called a kicker, may be added to the benefit of some chapter 1606 students. The possible monthly kicker levels are $100, $200, and $350. A chapter 1606 kicker may be a part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract.

Learn more about VR&E

Veterans Readiness & Employment Info

Veteran Readiness & Employment (for Veterans with service-connected disabilities - Chapter 31)

 A Veteran may be eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment(VR&E) benefits if he or she: 

• Has received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable.
• Has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA.
• Applies for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services. 

The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E’s VetSuccess services may be used is 12 years from the latter of: 

• The date of separation from active military service, or
• The date the Veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. 

Effective August 1, 2011

An individual eligible for chapter 33 who is receiving benefits under chapter 31 may elect to receive the applicable chapter 33 Monthly Housing Allowance in lieu of the monthly subsistence allowance. Students should contact their Vocational Rehabilitation counselors for additional information. 

Students may not change from Chapter 31 to Chapter 33 or from Chapter 33 to Chapter 31 after an initial payment has been made by either benefit for a given period of enrollment.

Example: Student is certified for CH33 and received book stipend payment, then student learns he is eligible for CH31. Student must wait until folloiwng semester to make the change to CH31.

Click Here to apply for Post 9/11 GI Bill®

Students utilizing Chapter 33 must also verify enrollment each month to ensure timely payment of the monthly housing stipend.

Ch. 33 Verification Info

Ch. 33 Verification Video

Eligible Individuals

Generally, an individual who served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, will be eligible for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Active duty served as a member of the Armed Forces or as a result of a call or order to active duty from a reserve component under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12303(g), 12302, or 12304 of Title 10 is qualifying active duty service.

Effective October 1, 2011, VA began paying benefits to members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard for qualifying service under title 32. The following service may qualify:

• Full time service in the National Guard for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training.
• Activations in support of a national emergency under section 502(f) of Title 32. 

Benefits are payable retroactively to August 1, 2009, the effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program with qualifying section 502(f) of Title 32 service.

Effective December 31, 2011, VA began paying benefits to members of the United States Coast Guard Reserve for service under section 712 of Title 14.  Any service performed on or after December 31, 2011, shall be creditable.

Effective August 1, 2018, VA began paying benefits to members of the Armed Forces called or ordered to active duty from a reserve component under Section 12301(h), 12304A, and 12304B of Title 10. Benefits cannot be paid retroactively with this service.

Effective August 1, 2018, VA began paying benefits at the 100% benefit level to individuals awarded the Purple Heart for service after September 10, 2001. Benefits cannot be paid retroactively with this service.

The following periods of active duty service are excluded:

• ROTC under 10 U.S.C. 2107(b).
• Service academy contract period.
• Service terminated due to defective enlistment/agreement.
• Service used for loan repayment.

Period of Eligibility

Generally, if release from active duty was before January 1, 2013, individual’s eligibility to use chapter 33 benefits expires 15 years from the date of the last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Assistance Act of 2017 eliminates the 15 year limitation to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit in the case of Veterans who meet the following requirements:

• Last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 consecutive days was on or after January 1, 2013.
• Honorably discharged from the Armed Forces.
• Released from the Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable and placed on the retired list, temporary disability retired list, or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve.
• Released from the Armed Forces with a service characterized as honorable for further service in a reserve component.

Children of deceased Service members who become entitled to the Post-9/11 GI Bill on or after January 1, 2013 and all spouses using the Fry Scholarship no longer have a time limitation to use their benefits.

Chapter 33 Entitlement

Individuals eligible under chapter 33 are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance. Individuals are generally limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs.

Individuals eligible for benefits under the National Call to Service program and  chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 of title 38; or Chapter 107, 1606, or section 903 of title 10; or the hostage relief act of 1980; or the omnibus diplomatic security and antiterrorism act of 1986 may not receive assistance under two or more such programs concurrently.

Election

Students eligible for chapter 30 or 1606, on August 1, 2009, and on their election date, must relinquish a benefit to receive chapter 33. Students eligible for more than one benefit only have to relinquish one benefit to receive chapter 33. 

Chapter 33 elections are irrevocable. However:

• Election requests can be withdrawn if the Regional Processing Office receives the withdrawal request before either a certificate of eligibility is issued, or a payment processed.
• Election requests can be changed if the Regional Processing Office receives the change request before either a certificate of eligibility is issued, or a payment processed (the student must request the change in writing).

Length of Service Percentage 38 CFR 21.9640

Eligible students receive a percentage of the chapter 33 benefit for tuition and fees, monthly housing allowance, and book stipend based on their length of service. The percentage is determined by the student’s aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001. All creditable active duty and qualifying call-up service are combined to determine the aggregate service.

Length of service percentages are described in the following table: Effective 8/1/2020 the last two tiers changed. 40% was eliminated.

(1) Includes entry level and skill training.

(2) Excludes entry level and skill training.

(3) If the service requirements are met at both the 80 and 70 percentage level, the maximum percentage of 70 must be applied too amounts payable.

Education and Training Available Under chapter 33

Effective August 1, 2009 all programs had to be offered by a degree-granting institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for chapter 30. Approved programs included undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, professional degrees, and non-degree programs approved at the IHL. Additionally, tutorial assistance and reimbursement for one licensing or certification test were available under chapter 33.

Chapter 33 Benefit Payments

Depending on the student’s situation, chapter 33 benefits can include payment of tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, a stipend for books and supplies, college fund (“kicker”) payments, a rural benefit payment, and a Yellow Ribbon Program benefit. Chapter 33 differs from other education chapters in that each type of payment is issued separately, with some payments made directly to the school and others directly to the student.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are paid directly to the school on behalf of the student when the school’s enrollment certification is processed. Tuition and fees are prorated by the student’s benefit level.

Students on active duty received the total amount of tuition and fees, not limited to the state maximum, or the amount of charges that exceeded the amount paid by the military’s federal tuition assistance.

Note: Fees are mandatory charges (other than tuition, room, and board) applied by the school for pursuit of an approved program of education. Fees include, but are not limited to, health premiums, freshman fees, graduation fees, and lab fees. Fees do not include study abroad course(s) unless the course(s) is a mandatory requirement for completion of the approved program of education. Fees are defined in the school’s catalog or supplement and listed on the school’s billing statement or invoice.

Monthly Housing Allowance

A MHA is paid directly to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month. MHA will only be paid while the student is not on active duty (e.g. MHA payments will stop immediately on the day a member enters on active duty or will begin the day after when a member is released from duty when enrolled and otherwise eligible). The housing allowance is prorated by the student’s length of service percentage (e.g. length of service determines benefit level) and the student’s rate of pursuit (RoP). The MHA paid is based upon the Department of Defense’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an “E-5 with dependents” and the zip code of the campus or training location where the student physically attends the majority of their courses.

Rate of Pursuit and the Monthly Housing Allowance

Rate of pursuit (RoP) applies specifically to chapter 33. It differs from training time, which is used for all other chapters. Schools certify actual credit. VA calculates RoP by dividing the number of credit (or credit hour equivalents) being pursued by the number of credits considered to be full-time by the school. The resulting percentage is the student’s RoP.

Examples: If full-time is12 credits, then RoP:

• 6 credits (or credit equivalents) is 50% (6 ¸ 12 = 50%)
• 7 credits (or credit equivalents) is 58% (7 ¸ 12 = 58%)

The MHA is paid if the student’s RoP is more than 50%. Rate of pursuit determines whether a student receives or doesn’t receive the housing allowance. If pursuit is more than 50% the student receives the housing allowance. If the RoP is 50% or less, then the student doesn’t receive the housing allowance.  (Active duty personnel receiving chapter 33 benefits or spouses of active duty personnel receiving Transfer of Entitlement (ToE) benefits are not eligible for the housing allowance). 

Monthly Verification of Enrollment

Effective December 21, 2021, students will be required to monthly verify their enrollment status through text messaging or a call to the 1-888-442-4551 (GI-BILL1) toll free line.

Section 1010 has required all recipients of chapter 33 monthly housing allowances to verify their enrollment status each month.

Verifications must be received through a text messaging solution known as Twilio. Students enrolled in a program which begins on or after Devcember 21, 2021 will either receive an option to opt into the text messaging process to verify their attendance monthly OR they will be required to contact the 1-888-442-4551 toll free number monthly to verify.

Schools cannot verify for students. The student must verify they continue to be enrolled by stating “yes” or if not enrolled as stated, should respond as “no”.

This monthly verification process is ONLY for chapter 33 students. This differs from the monthly certification process non-chapter 33 students are required to provide to release their monthly stipend.

Chapter 33 students must respond monthly to verify their enrollment. However, their MHA payments will continue to be released until two consecutive months have elapsed without any verification from the student.

Distance Learning and Housing Allowance

Effective October 1, 2011, individuals only enrolled in distance learning courses were eligible for an MHA equal to 50% of the national average of all BAH rates. Rates are multiplied by the rate of pursuit (RoP) rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.

Note: Basic eligibility requirements for MHA benefits (e.g. students with a RoP greater than 50%) remain unchanged.

Books and Supplies Stipend

The books and supplies stipend is a lump sum payment (each quarter, semester or term attended) paid directly to the student when the school’s enrollment certification is processed. The stipend is prorated by the student’s length of service percentage. The books and supplies stipend pays $41.67 per credit certified, up to 24 credits for the academic year (08/01/YY-07/31/YY). The start date of an enrollment period determines the academic year to which the enrollment period belongs. The maximum stipend is $1,000 per academic year. Active duty students are not eligible.

As of October 1, 2011, individuals enrolled in a degree program while on active duty are now eligible for the Books and Supplies stipend of up to $1,000.00 per academic year. The rules for calculating Books and Supplies payments are the same as those for Veterans.

Kickers and Additional Contributions

Effective August 1, 2009, students eligible for a kicker under chapter 30 or 1606 may receive the kicker under chapter 33. The kicker will be prorated by the student’s rate of pursuit percentage and paid as a lump sum payment to the student when the school’s enrollment certification is processed.

Chapter 30 additional contributions ($600 Buy-up) are not payable under chapter 33.

Effective October 1, 2011 eligible individuals receive payments for chapter 30 and 1606 kicker payments on a monthly, rather than a lump sum, basis.

Kickers will be paid regardless of rate of pursuit or eligibility for the MHA. The applicable full-time kicker rate will be multiplied by the rate of pursuit rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.

Transfer of Entitlement

The Department of Defense (DoD) offers members of the Armed Forces the opportunity to transfer chapter 33 benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The member of the Armed Forces or Selected Reserves must serve at least six years and commit to serve an additional 4 years. 

After separating from the Armed Forces individuals cannot designate new dependents to receive transferred entitlement or amend the effective date of the initial transfer of entitlement to an earlier date, except for cases involving death under Title 38 USC, 3319, section 110, of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

Requests to modify transferred benefits must be made through the Department of Defense (DoD) milConnect portal, except under Title 38 USC 3319, section 110, when a transferor is designating unused entitlement to a new dependent not previously enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The transferor will need to visit a DEERS or Real-Time Automated Personal Identification System (RAPIDS) Center to have that dependent added before allocations can be made in milConnect. 

Students are referred to the “Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents” page at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_transfer.asp. The page provides instructions on how to apply for transfer of benefits after DoD approval and entitlement has been transferred.

Spouses and dependents must apply online through Vets.gov or by printing, completing, and mailing VA Form 22-1990e, “Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits” to VA. 

Information and requirements about transferability can be found on the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMC) portal. 

Benefit Payments

Apply for Dependents Education Assistance Program

Educational Assistance paid to dependents of Veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability or died as a result of service connection. Persons who may be eligible are: 

• A child (between ages 18 and 26, with some exceptions) of a Veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition; or who died in service; or who died of a service-connected disability; or who died while evaluated as having total and permanent service-connected disability; or who is listed as a POW or MIA.
• The surviving spouse of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability, or died in service, or died while evaluated as having total and permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability. Surviving spouses, whose benefits stopped when they remarried can receive DEA benefits again if their remarriage ends by death, divorce, or they cease to live with the person to whom they presented themselves in public as married.
• A spouse of a Veteran or serviceperson who has a total and permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability; or who is listed as a POW or MIA.
• The spouse or child of a Service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.
• A child, spouse, or surviving spouse may be eligible for special restorative training where needed to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability for the purpose of enabling an eligible person to pursue a special vocational program or other appropriate goal.

Information about Hazlewood Exemption

TVC Hazlewood Database Registration

Login and print hours

1. Veterans and Dependent Students must register an account with the TVC Hazlewood Database.
2. Veterans and Dependent Students must provide a print-out to verify number of hours previously used each semester that Hazlewood Exemption is requested to be certified.

General Eligibility
From Rule §461.30, Hazlewood Act Exemption:

1. Subject to the following provisions, an institution shall exempt an eligible person from the payment of tuition, mandatory fees, dues, and other required charges, including fees for correspondence courses and distance education courses, but excluding general deposit and student services fees and any fees or charges for lodging, board, or clothing.
2. An institution is not required to provide the Hazlewood Act Exemption for tuition and fees related to courses for which the institution does not receive state formula funding, unless the governing board of the institution specifically chooses to provide the exemption for such courses.
3. Generally, the Hazlewood Act Exemption provides for both resident or nonresident tuition and fees for those who meet all requirements to receive the benefit.
4. A person's eligibility for the Hazlewood Act Exemption is not impacted by federal veterans' education programs that provide for benefits not specifically designated for the payment of tuition and fees.
5. The Legacy recipient 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 (Texas Government Code §434.0079(c)(1)).
6. Stacking state and federal veterans education benefits is permitted. Persons eligible for more than one federal veterans education benefit must select which federal program to stack with the Hazlewood Act Exemption. Persons eligible for federal veterans benefits not specifically designated for the payment of tuition and fees, or eligible for federal veterans education benefits at less than the 100% entitlement level, may stack those benefits with the Hazlewood Act Exemption. If the person elects to apply federal benefits that provide for payment of tuition and fees, this federal benefit will be applied prior to the application of Hazlewood. At no time will the total of federal and state benefits exceed 100% of the tuition and fees for the term.
7. An eligible person is not entitled to receive the Hazlewood Act Exemption for more than 150 attempted semester credit hours, except that it may be less as described in subsection (e) of this section.
8. If the Hazlewood Act Exemption is used to pay for only a portion of the hours taken during a given term or semester, an institution shall deduct only the proportion used from the 150 hours of eligibility. When reporting the proportional hours to theCommission, institutions shall round any fraction of an hour up to the nearest whole number.
9. The governing board of a public junior college, public technical institute, or public state college, as those terms are defined by Texas Education Code §61.003, may establish a fee for extraordinary costs associated with a specific course or program and may determine that the exemption does not apply to this fee.
10. In determining whether to admit a person to any certificate program or to any baccalaureate, graduate, postgraduate, or professional degree program, an institution may not consider the fact that the person is eligible for an exemption through this subchapter.
11. An application for the Hazlewood Act Exemption shall be denied if it is determined that the applicant is in default on an educational loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas.
12. If the institution is unable to determine eligibility of an applicant in accordance with this subchapter, the institution shall consult with the Commission to resolve the matter.

Eligibility Requirements for Veterans
From Rule §461.40, Veteran Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to receive the Hazlewood Act Exemption, a veteran who claims the benefit for the first time shall demonstrate that he or she currently resides in the state as indicated by the address and signature on the application, unless he or she resides out of state solely due to his or her own (or a spouse's) current military orders, and:

1. at the time he or she entered the service, was a resident of Texas, entered the service in the State of Texas, or declared Texas as his or her home of record in the manner provided by the military or other service;
2. was discharged under honorable conditions after serving on active military duty, excluding initial entry training, for more than 180 days;
3. has attempted fewer than 150 credit hours using the Hazlewood Act Exemption beginning with Fall 1995;
4. if a continuing or transfer student, has met the GPA requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy; except the veteran is not required to enroll in a minimum course load, and meets the other requirements of Texas Education Code §54.2001; and
5. provide to the institution a completed Hazlewood Act Exemption Application and the supporting documentation, as provided in §461.90 of this subchapter (relating to Supporting Documentation for the Hazlewood Act Exemption Application), no later than the last class date of the semester or term to which the exemption applies.

Eligibility Requirements for Spouses
From Rule §461.50, Spouse’s Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to receive the Hazlewood Act Exemption, a veteran's spouse shall demonstrate that he or she

• Is the spouse of:

1. 1. A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who entered the service in the State of  exas; declared Texas as his or her home of record in the manner provided by the military or other service; or was a resident of Texas when he or she entered the service and who:
      1. was killed in action; or
      2. died while in service; or
      3. is missing in action; or
      4. whose death is documented to be directly caused by illness or injury related to service in the armed forces of the United States; or
      5. is totally and permanently disabled or meets the eligibility requirements for
         individual unemployability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
   2. A member of the Texas National Guard or Texas Air National Guard who:
      1. was killed since January 1, 1946 while on active duty either in the service of Texas or the United States; or
      2. is totally and permanently disabled or meets the eligibility requirements for individual unemployability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
         

• Is classified by the institution as a resident of Texas for the term or semester for which the spouse claims the Hazlewood Act Exemption.

A spouse of a service-related totally disabled or individually unemployable veteran, if a continuing or transfer student, must meet the GPA requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy; except the spouse is not required to enroll in a minimum course load. The spouse also must meet all other requirements of Texas Education Code §54.2001. These requirements do not apply to the spouse of a veteran who has died from a service-related injury or illness or who was classified as missing in action (MIA), or killed in action (KIA).

Eligibility Requirements for Children
From Rule §461.60, Children’s Eligibility:
In order to be eligible to receive the Hazlewood Act Exemption, children shall demonstrate that they:

• Are children of:

1. 1. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who entered the service in the State of Texas; declared Texas as their home of record in the manner provided by the military or other service; or were residents of Texas when they entered the service and who:
      1. were killed in action; or
      2. died while in service; or
      3. are missing in action; or
      4. whose deaths are documented to be directly caused by illness or injury related to service in the armed forces of the United States; or
      5. are totally and permanently disabled or meet the eligibility requirements for individual unemployability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
   2. Members of the Texas National Guard or Texas Air National Guard who:
      1. were killed since January 1, 1946 while on active duty either in the service of Texas or the United States; or
      2. are totally and permanently disabled or meet the eligibility requirements for individual unemployability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Are classified by their institutions as residents of Texas for the term or semester for which they claim the Hazlewood Act Exemption.

Children of service-related totally disabled or individually unemployable veterans, if a continuing or transfer student, must meet the GPA requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy; except the child is not required to enroll in a minimum course load. The child also must meet the other requirements of Texas Education Code §54.2001. These requirements do not apply to a child of a veteran who has died from a service-related injury or illness or who was classified as missing in action (MIA), or killed in action (KIA).

Eligibility Requirements for a Legacy Child
From Rule §461.70, Hazelwood Legacy Act Eligibility:

• An eligible veteran or, if the eligible veteran has died, his or her spouse, or child's conservator, guardian, custodian, or other legally designated caretaker (if the child does not otherwise qualify for an exemption under Texas Education Code §54.341(b)), may elect to waive the eligible veteran's right to all or a portion of unused hours for which he or she is eligible (up to the maximum 150 semester credit hours). By completing the relevant forms as prescribed by the Commission and submitting them to the institution, the veteran, his or her spouse, or child's conservator, guardian, custodian, or other legally designated caretaker may:

1. 1. assign the unused hours to only one of his or her children at a time; and
   2. if the child to whom the hours have been assigned fails to use all available credit hours, assign the remaining hours to another of his or her children.
      

• For an otherwise eligible veteran to assign his or her unused hours to a child through the Hazlewood Legacy Program (applies to new recipients Fall 2011), he or she must:

1. 1. reside in Texas; or
   2. demonstrate that he or she is out of state only because of his or her own (or a spouse's) current military orders and provide the orders and most recent three months' Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) showing Texas to be the person's home. If the orders and LES do not both indicate Texas as the person's home, other documentation must be provided to support the person's claim to domicile in Texas.
      

• For an otherwise eligible child to be entitled to the Hazlewood Act Exemption through the Hazlewood Legacy Program in a given term or semester, he or she must:

1. 1. be classified by their institution as a resident of Texas for the term or semester for which the child claims the Hazlewood Act Exemption;
   2. if a continuing or transfer student, meet the GPA requirement of the institution's satisfactory academic progress policy in a degree or certificate program as determined by the institution's financial aid policy; except the child is not required to enroll in a minimum course load and also meets all other requirements of Texas Education Code §54.2001; and
   3. meet the age requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this section.
      

• An eligible child must:

1. 1. be 25 years of age or younger on the first day of the semester or other academic term for which the exemption is claimed; or
   2. if the child is over the age of 25 and otherwise eligible for the exemption, the child must provide the institution documentation from a physician or a physician assistant indicating he or she suffered from a severe illness or other debilitating condition which prevented the child from using the exemption in the required timeframe. In this case, the student's eligibility shall be extended for a period of time equal to the time during which he or she experienced the illness or debilitating condition.

• The Legacy recipient will receive exemption for the number of degree certified hours as referenced in §461.30(e) of this subchapter (relating to Hazlewood Act Exemption).

DoD Tuition Assistance Funded Students

Students should always consult their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service education office before engaging in any voluntary education endeavor. It's the student's responsibility to know the Tuition Assistance (TA) process and policy for their branch of service and to ensure tuition balances are paid by the payment deadline. Contact your SAC-VA Academic Advisor or our Alamo Colleges Installation Representatives if you have questions.

Airforce Information

Tuition assistance must be requested no earlier than 45 days prior to the semester start date and no later than 7 days prior to the semester start date. Active Duty Air Force members should apply for TA through their Air Force Portal account at the Air Force Virtual Education Center site. Questions should be directed to your Air Force Education Office. 

Army Information 

Tuition assistance must be requested no earlier than 60 days prior to the semester start date and approved no later than 10 days prior to the semester start date. Active Duty Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves should apply for TA through their Army Ignited account. Questions should be directed to your Army Education Office.

Army Ignited Information for AlamoColleges

Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Information

Please direct Tuition Assistance questions to your unit education liaison or your service Education Office. Navy: Download the free voluntary education Navy College Program App from the Google Play or iTunes online stores by searching "Navy College Program".

Paying with Tuition Assistance (TA)

Registration periods have corresponding payment deadlines. TA must be submitted to the college (once approved and signed) for processing by the payment deadline associated with the date of registration. TA funding documents are not processed on the weekends (or holidays) unless the campus Business Office is scheduled to be open for business. Students who fail to turn in their approved TA forms and pay outstanding balances will be dropped for non-payment.  

1. Register for courses 
2. Request TA
3. Know your payment deadline
4. Request payment extension if necessary
5. Submit the approved TA to the college for processing before the payment deadline
6. Pay all other balances not covered by TA through your ACES account

Submit your TA payments by email to: sac-va@alamo.edu or to your SAC-VA Academic Advisor.

Payment Deadline Calendar 

During the months of June and July, the college operates on a 4-day work-week, closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. TA documents must be turned in no later than 1500 on the Thursday before payment deadlines in order to be processed.  Students may opt at any time to enroll themselves in a payment plan online through their student account to secure their courses.

Payment Extension Request for Pending TA

If your payment deadline is prior to funding approval, you may request a payment extension. A payment extension may be granted for those eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA). Please refer to our Payment Deferment form.

DoD Funded Tuition Rates

2023-24 Schedule of Tuition and Fees

2024-25 Schedule of Tuition and Fees   

Other Funding Sources

Federal Student Aid  (FAFSA)

Scholarship Information

Refunds and Billing

Students using TA funding should always check with their SAC-VA Academic Advisor before making any schedule changes. Students are responsible for understanding the implications of schedule changes, including adds, drops, withdrawals, and their effect on student accounts. Students are responsible for all charges incurred, including those not covered by TA and/or resulting from the return of unearned TA funds.

Questions regarding schedule changes and TA billing should be discussed with the individual's service or MyCAA before changes are made.

Return of Unearned TA refund policy

Student Refund Schedule

Access to Additional Student Supports through the disAbilities Support Services Department

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Alamo Colleges Installation Offices

What is MyCAA?

The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program is a workforce development program administered by the Department of Defense, that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible active duty military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or Associate's degree in a portable career field and occupation.

Determine eligibility

When searching MyCAA for institutions, search for "Alamo Community College District".

See If You're Eligible - Apply for MyCAA

Additional Information

MyCAA Fact Sheet

MyCAA School FAQs

MyCAA Education Plan Template

To begin using MyCAA funds with San Antonio College:

1. 1. Apply for Admission
   2. Register for Classes
      1. Register early and make note of your payment deadline
      2. If you are unable to obtain a MyCAA payment voucher before the payment deadline, contact your advisor to inquire about a Deferment for Pending MyCAA
   3. Submit the Following Documents to MyCAA
      1. Your MyCAA Education & Training Plan obtained from your SAC-VA Academic Advisor
      2. A copy of the current DoD Tuition and Fee Schedule
      3. A copy of your current Class Schedule
   4. Once You Receive Your MyCAA Payment Voucher
      1. Submit your MyCAA payment voucher to your SAC-VA Academic Advisor as payment
      2. Log into ACES to confirm your payment has been credited and pay your remaining balance
      3. If you are unable to submit a payment voucher before your payment deadline contact your SAC-VA Academic Advisor to inquire about a Payment Deferment Request

Benefit Payments

For IHL students, monthly benefit payments (or MHA for chapter 33) are made directly to students. The payment is made to the student for the number of days the student is certified for the month. If a student is certified for a whole month, the full monthly benefit is paid. If the student is only certified for part of the month, the benefit is prorated as follows: 

• VA uses a 30-day month. Divide the monthly rate by 30 to get the daily rate. If a student is certified from the 1st through the 15th, the student is certified 15 days and is entitled to 15/30ths of the full monthly benefit.

Standard benefits are described in the monthly rate tables. An additional kicker may be paid to some chapter 30, 33, and 1606 students. 

Benefit payment amounts

Entitlement Charges

Generally, a student’s entitlement is charged one day for every day of full-time training. The entitlement amounts in the table below reflect charges for less than full-time training unless specifically annotated as full-time. 

Comparison Chart/Payment Rates

You may be eligible for several types of VA education and training benefits, but there are many things to consider before you apply for a GI Bill® program. For most participants, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® is the best option. Other students would benefit more from the Montgomery GI Bill®. The following comparison tools may make it easier to decide which education and training benefits are best for you:

• Compare VA education benefit programs
• Review current payment rates for the following VA education and training programs:
  • Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) 
  • Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD/Chapter 30) 
  • Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR/Chapter 1606) 
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA/Chapter 35) 

Your decision to apply for a certain education benefit could impact your eligibility for other benefits. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

• If you’re eligible for more than one education benefit, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill®, you must choose which benefit to receive, a decision that’s final and cannot be changed.  
• If you’re eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and two or more additional education benefits, you must give up one of the additional education benefits. However, you may remain eligible for the benefit or benefits you did not give up.

Use the chart below to compare the education benefits available through the following programs:

• The Post-9/11 GI Bill®
• Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
• Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
• Veteran Readiness And Employment (VR&E)

Additional Factors

1. Amount of time varies according to when the Veteran enlisted and entered active duty.
2. You may receive a maximum of 48 months of benefits combined if you are eligible for more than one VA education program.
3. Spouses are generally eligible to receive benefits for 10 years. However, spouses of individuals rated total and permanent within 3 years of discharge and spouses of individuals who die on active duty are granted a 20 year eligibility period.
4. The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is a category of the Ready Reserve of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces.
5. VA can pay the difference between the total cost of tuition and fees and the amount of Tuition Assistance paid by the military.