Military personnel, veteran students and their family members may be eligible to receive educational benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and/or the Texas Veteran Commission (TVC) as a financial resource towards their educational objectives.

VA Education Benefits may be authorized for veterans and qualified dependents under specific chapters of Title 38, U.S. Code (USC). Each of these VA Education Programs has distinct eligibility requirements and only the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may determine eligibility for VA Education Benefits.

Benefit recipients can only receive one VA federal benefit at a time, even if they are eligible for more than one. 

Students who wish to apply for VA Federal Benefits must apply online through the VA Education Benefits Form (online application available at: https://www.va.gov/) to receive their Certificate of Eligibility (or Denial Form) from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Note: Processing times from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs vary and may take up to 30 days after accurate application is received.

For specific questions on any of the chapters or eligibility requirements, please contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551.

Laredo College Requirement Checklist

New Student Veteran

1. Apply to Laredo College via the Apply Texas application (www.applytexas.org)
2. Submit supporting documentation to complete the admissions application and be fully admitted to Laredo College.
3. Request official JST transcripts (http://jst.doded.mil) to be sent directly to Laredo College. (For military branches other than the Air Force and Space Force).
4. Complete the Request for Veteran Certification form at the Laredo College Veteran Services Center and submit the following documents:
   • Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
   • DD-214 Form (Member 4)
   • Valid U.S. ID
   • Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
   • TSI Waiver Permit (if applicable)
5. Submit a financial aid application (to determine fin. aid eligibility)
6. Meet with an advisor to select and register for courses

Note: Depending on the type of benefits being requested, the following documents may be applicable and require submission to the Laredo College Veteran Services Center:

• Hazlewood Application
• VA Disability Rating Letter
• Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) Letter

New Student Veteran Dependent

1. Apply to Laredo College via the Apply Texas application (www.applytexas.org)
2. Submit supporting documentation to complete the admissions application and be fully admitted to Laredo College.
3. Complete the Request for Veteran Certification form at the Laredo College Veteran Services Center and submit the following documents:
   • Veteran's Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (if requesting Federal benefit)
   • Veteran’s DD-214 Form (Member 4)
   • Valid U.S. ID (for student and Veteran)
   • Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
   • One of the following documents to proof dependency status
     • Birth Certificate (only for biological or stepchildren of Veteran)
     • Marriage Certificate (for spouses and stepchildren of Veteran to provide proof of relationship)
     • Adoption Paperwork or Income Tax (for dependent/children to provide proof name is on income tax forms)
4. Submit a financial aid application (to determine fin. aid eligibility)
5. Meet with an advisor to select and register for courses

Note: Depending on the type of benefits being requested, the following documents may be applicable and require submission to the Laredo College Veteran Services Office:

• Hazlewood Application
• Hazlewood Verification of Hours (ie. Sharing Hours)
• VA Disability Rating Letter (must indicate a minimum of 10%-100% disability rating)
• Death Certificate of Veteran 

Continuing Student Veteran and/or Veteran Dependent

1. Complete the Request for Veteran Certification form at the Laredo College Veteran Services Center (every semester)
2. Submit a financial aid application (every year)
3. Meet with an advisor to select and register for courses

Note: Depending on the type of benefits being requested, the following documents may be applicable and require submission to the Laredo College Veteran Services Office:

• Hazlewood Application for Continued Enrollment
• Hazlewood Verification of Hours (ie. Sharing Hours)

Enrollment and Registration

Veteran students and/or dependents must be fully registered for courses before the first class day and prior to the census date of the term.

Any changes in enrollment, such as but not limited to, a course change, addition or dropping of a course, withdrawal of a course or termination of all enrollment may affect payment status and benefit eligibility, resulting in having to repay all or part of the benefits received for the course(s).

Consult with the Laredo College Veteran Services Center, prior to making any enrollment changes, as these can result in an over-payment of benefits and debt that will be collected directly from the student/Veteran by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or due to the Isakson Roe Provision any changes in enrollment after the first-class day may result in a debt to Laredo College which will be the responsibility of the student.

Repeating a Course

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will not cover the cost to repeat a course(s) for which the student has received a passing grade (D or higher), whether the course was taken at Laredo College or at another college or university.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will only cover the cost to repeat a course under one of the following two conditions:

• The student received a grade of ‘F’ in a course that is required by the student's degree plan.
• The student received a grade of ‘D’ in a course that may require a minimum of a ‘C’ and is part of the Laredo College degree plan/program.

The student must notify the Laredo College Veteran Services Center if any of the enrolled courses for which the student is receiving benefits meets the above circumstances. Failure to provide notification may result in over-payment of benefits and debt that will be collected directly from the student/Veteran by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Laredo College.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Veteran Students and/or dependents who are receiving VA educational or Hazlewood benefits, must maintain good Academic Standing, a minimum 2.0 grade point average and meet all Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to continue receiving benefits.

For additional information regarding Academic Standing Standard of Work and/or Financial SAP.

Concurrent Enrollment

A student may take courses at more than one school at the same time, defined as 'Concurrent Enrollment'. The school that will grant the student's degree is considered the student’s 'parent institution' school and all other schools are considered 'secondary' schools.

The enrolled courses at both institutions must apply to the students degree plan at their 'parent institution'.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will pay for the combined number of credits at both institutions (parent and secondary), taking overlapping enrollment dates into account, when the student is enrolled at both institutions at the same time. The student is responsible for notifying the Veteran Services representative at each institution of their enrollment and a Parent Institution Letter listing the courses authorized for enrollment must be provided to the secondary school. 

Veteran students and/or dependents enrolled only at the 'secondary' institution for a specific term, to fulfill coursework requirements of their degree plan at the 'parent institution',  must submit the 'Parent Institution Letter' to the secondary institution authorizing the enrollment for the term. 

Note: Hazlewood recipients may use their benefits if concurrently enrolled at two institutions. Each institution granting Hazlewood Act benefits must certify the students enrollment and must observe the 150-hour limit. Concurrent enrollment is not applicable to Hazlewood Legacy recipients. 

Students Called to Active Duty

If, as a member of a National Guard unit, Reserve Component, Texas State Guard or as a discharged veteran, the student is called to active duty, immediate notification and a copy of orders need to be submitted to the Laredo College Veteran Services Center.

Types of Benefits

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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

Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill^® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help pay for education and training programs.

If you've served at least 2 years on active duty, find out if you qualify for the MGIB-AD program. You may qualify for additional entitlement under the Rudisill decision.

If you have 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty, you may now qualify for up to 48 months of entitlement. You must be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and the Montgomery GI Bill^® Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

For eligibility & benefits information on the MGIB-AD please visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/.

Chapter 31- The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Chapter 31 - The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program provides support to Service members and Veterans with service-connected disabilities by helping them prepare for, secure, and maintain suitable careers. Veterans with a disability rating of at least 10% are eligible to apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs; however, acceptance into the program is not guaranteed.

For eligibility & benefits information on the VR&E program please visit https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/.

Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill^®

The Post-9/11 GI Bill^® (PGIB), or Chapter 33, helps you pay for school or cover expenses while you’re training for a job. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^®. Find out if you can get this education benefit. You may qualify for additional entitlement under the Rudisill decision.

If you have 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty, you may now qualify for up to 48 months of entitlement. You must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and the Montgomery GI Bill^® Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

Note: Even if you gave up your right to use MGIB-AD benefits in the past (we call this “relinquishing” your benefits), you may now qualify to use some of that entitlement.

For eligibility & benefits information on Post 9/11 please visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/

Chapter 1607 Montgomery GI Bill^® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) 

Chapter 1607 Montgomery GI Bill^® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard.

For eligibility & benefits information on the VR&E program please visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/.

Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)

If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, you may be eligible for the DEA program.

For eligibility & benefits information on the DEA program please visit https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/education-and-careers/dependents-education-assistance/.

The Hazlewood Act

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas tuition waiver that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does not include living expenses, books, supply fees, or student activity fees.

For more information on the Hazlewood’s veteran eligibility please visit https://tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/.

Texas Hazlewood Act – Spouse and Dependent

Spouses and dependent children of eligible Texas veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, killed in action, missing in action, or who died from a service-related injury may qualify for up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at public institutions in Texas. Students must be Texas residents, meet institutional academic progress requirements, and may not receive other VA education benefits that pay tuition and fees. Eligibility is determined according to the Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code §461.

For more information on the Hazlewood’s Spouse & Dependent benefit, please visit https://tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/.

Application Process

A Veteran/Dependent must:

• Apply and be accepted to a Texas public college or university. 
• Provide proof from the Department of Defense regarding military service and the nature of discharge (Form DD-214 Member 4)
• Submit proof of eligibility or ineligibility for VA educational benefits (Chapter 30 or Chapter 33) by applying through the Veteran's VA.gov account. After applying, the Department of Veterans Affairs will issue either a Certificate of Eligibility or a Denial Letter.
• Fill out the Hazlewood Exemption application form; and
• Turn in the Hazlewood Exemption application form, a copy of the Veteran's letter of eligibility/ineligibility, and a copy of DD-214 Form (Member 4 copy) to the Laredo College Veteran Services Center.

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by the institution no later than the term census date for the exemption to be applied for the semester or term.

Texas Hazlewood Act – Legacy (Child Transfer Provision)

Eligible Texas veterans may transfer unused Hazlewood exemption hours to one child at a time. The child must be a Texas resident, be the veteran’s biological, step, or adopted child (or listed as a dependent for tax purposes), be 25 years old or younger, meet the college’s academic progress requirements, and not receive other VA education benefits that pay tuition and fees. Legacy recipients may receive up to the number of hours permitted under their degree program, and any unused hours may be reassigned to another child if needed, as authorized by Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code §461.

For more information on the Hazlewood’s Child (Legacy) benefit, please visit https://tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/.

Military Credit

See Credit by Non-Traditional Means: Military Credit

Unsatisfactory Progress, Conduct and Attendance

The law requires that educational assistance benefits to Veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her training objective.

Both accredited and non-accredited schools are required by law to have and to enforce standards of progress and conduct in order for their programs to be approved for VA benefits. Only non-accredited schools are required by federal law to have attendance standards. These standards should be stated plainly in the school's catalog or bulletin. A school's policy and regulations for standards of progress, conduct and attendance must define:

• The school's grading system
• The minimum satisfactory grade level
• Conditions for interruption of training due to unsatisfactory grades or progress
• A description of any probationary period
• Conditions for a student's re-entrance or readmission following dismissal or suspension for unsatisfactory progress
• Conditions for dismissal due to unsatisfactory conduct
• The school's attendance policy

When a student has failed to maintain prescribed standards of progress, VA must be informed promptly so that benefit payments can be discontinued in accordance with the law. The termination date assigned by the school will be the last day of the term or other evaluation period in which the student’s progress became unsatisfactory. Schools that provide a period of academic probation may not continue to certify a Veteran or eligible person (who remains in a probationary status) for an indefinite period of time. It is reasonable to expect that an institution will report a termination due to unsatisfactory progress if a student remains on academic probation beyond 2 terms, quarters, or semesters.

Fees not covered by VA or Hazlewood

Penalty fees (late registration, repeated course fees, add or drop course fees and student service fees and activity fees (Hazlewood students).

For more detailed information on all VA Benefits please visit www.gibill.va.gov and Texas Veterans Commission on all information related to Hazlewood benefits https://www.tvc.texas.gov.
 

Contact Information and Additional Resources

Laredo College 

Fort McIntosh Campus | West End Washington St. | Laredo, TX 78040 | (956) 721-5109

South Campus | 5500 South Zapata Highway | Laredo, TX 78045 | (956) 794-4110

www.laredo.edu

Laredo College Veteran Services Center

Fort McIntosh Campus | West End Washington St. | Laredo, TX 78040 | Lerma-Peña Building 250 | (956) 764-5768 | veterans@laredo.edu

www.laredo.edu/veterans

U.S Department of Veteran Affairs

www.va.gov | 1-800-698-2411

Texas Veteran Commission

www.tvc.texas.gov | (512) 463-6564 | 1-800-252- VETS (8387)