Texas veteran education benefits including the Hazelwood Act free tuition, GI Bill, Texas Veterans Commission education services, and veteran-friendly colleges across Texas.
Texas offers one of the most generous veteran education benefit packages in the nation, highlighted by the Hazelwood Act — which provides up to 150 hours of free tuition at any Texas public college or university. Combined with federal GI Bill benefits, VA vocational rehabilitation, and robust campus veteran support services, Texas veterans have unparalleled access to affordable, high-quality education and training.
This guide covers every education benefit available to Texas veterans, from the Hazelwood Act and its Legacy provisions to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, veteran-friendly institutions, and vocational training options across the state.
Texas Veterans Commission is the fastest first call for veteran education help in Texas.
In a crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Available 24/7.
53 verified education resources serving Texas. Crisis and fastest-path options are listed first.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Fort Worth area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Fort Worth veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Austin-area veterans.
Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected San Antonio veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Killeen area.
SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Corpus Christi area.
SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Fort Worth-area veterans.
Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Dallas area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Dallas veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the San Antonio area.
SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the San Antonio area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Houston area.
SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Houston veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) provides career counseling, training, education, and job placement for Texas veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment barrier.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Killeen-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Corpus Christi-area veterans.
Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Fort Worth-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Houston veterans.
Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Killeen veterans.
Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Corpus Christi-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving El Paso veterans.
Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving San Antonio veterans.
Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Corpus Christi area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the El Paso area.
Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected El Paso veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living.
Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
How each program works, who qualifies, and how state and federal help fit together.
The Hazelwood Act is Texas's signature veteran education benefit, providing up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at any Texas public institution of higher education — including universities, community colleges, and technical schools. This benefit covers tuition and most fees, making it one of the most generous state education benefits for veterans in the country.
To qualify for the Hazelwood Act, you must:
Important: Veterans must use federal GI Bill benefits first before accessing Hazelwood hours. Once GI Bill benefits are exhausted, Hazelwood covers remaining hours up to 150 total credit hours.
Texas veterans who are eligible for the Hazelwood Act and have unused hours can transfer those benefits to their children through the Legacy Program. Eligible children must be under 25 years old (with extensions for military service) and must meet residency requirements. This allows veterans' children to attend Texas public colleges and universities with free tuition, making Texas one of the very few states offering transferable veteran education benefits.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits including full tuition at public institutions, a monthly housing allowance based on the school's ZIP code, and a $1,000 annual book stipend. At Texas public universities, the GI Bill covers 100% of tuition and fees. Monthly housing allowances in Texas range from approximately $1,500 in rural areas to $2,200+ in Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Veterans who contributed $100/month during active duty receive up to 36 months of benefits at approximately $2,054 per month (2026 rate). This can be used for degree programs, certificates, flight training, apprenticeships, and correspondence courses at approved Texas institutions.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities who need education or training for suitable employment may qualify for VR&E. The program covers tuition, books, supplies, and provides a subsistence allowance. Texas has VR&E offices at VA regional offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Waco.
The TVC Education Program assists Texas veterans in navigating education benefits, including GI Bill certification, Hazelwood Act applications, and scholarship identification. TVC education advisors are available at major Texas colleges and universities to help veteran students maximize their benefits. Contact TVC Education Services at (512) 463-6564.
UT Austin, UT Arlington, UT San Antonio, UT El Paso, and other UT system schools provide dedicated veteran services offices, priority registration, veteran-specific academic advising, and campus veteran resource centers. UT Austin's Student Veteran Services is among the top programs in the nation.
Texas A&M has deep military roots and enrolls thousands of veteran students. The Veteran Resource & Support Center at College Station provides comprehensive support. Texas A&M also operates the Bush Combat Development Complex and numerous veteran research programs. All A&M system schools offer veteran priority registration and dedicated advisors.
Texas's extensive community college system — including Houston Community College, Dallas College, Alamo Colleges (San Antonio), Austin Community College, and Tarrant County College — provides affordable pathways to degrees and certifications. All have dedicated veteran services offices and accept Hazelwood Act benefits. Community colleges are ideal for veterans seeking quick certification programs or transfer pathways.
Texas offers numerous GI Bill-approved vocational programs in high-demand fields including commercial driving (CDL), welding, HVAC, healthcare certification, information technology, oil and gas industry training, and aviation. The Texas Workforce Commission and TVC can help veterans identify approved programs. Many vocational programs in Texas accept Hazelwood Act benefits for tuition coverage.
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