Veterans Resources

Table of Contents

East Texas A&M University proudly supports veterans and military-affiliated students by offering dedicated resources to help them succeed. The Veterans Resources page connects you with financial aid options like the Hazlewood Act, provides step-by-step guidance for benefit applications, and highlights support programs such as Meals for Vets. With a focus on accessibility, respect, and community, East Texas A&M ensures veterans can transition smoothly into academic life while accessing the benefits they've earned.

Financial Aid Shopping Sheet

The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet features two worksheets, one for undergraduate and one for graduate students. It is part of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, MD Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. It is a consumer tool that participating institutions use to notify students about their financial aid packages. These worksheets are available to help you calculate the cost of your education:

Additional tools:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

  • Learn how to maximize your education with VA Benefits at East Texas A&M.
  • Compare your education options and benefits easily using the GI Comparison Tool, designed to help veterans make informed decisions about colleges.
  • Explore career support and training opportunities through Veteran Readiness and Employment, helping veterans achieve meaningful employment after service.

Military Leave and Service

East Texas A&M University understands that some students may be called to military service, which can prevent them from starting or continuing their studies. The 13.99.99.R1 Military Leave and Service for Students policy outlines the options available to support those students and help them continue their education when they are able to return.

Learn more about East Texas A&M’s accommodation for students who are called to military service.

Texas Hazlewood Act Information

The Hazlewood Act is a Texas state benefit that offers eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependent children up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption, covering most fees at Texas public colleges and universities.

Review Eligibility

Returning Hazlewood students

  1. Complete the required online form with required documentation.
  2. Check your MyLeo student email account for correspondence regarding your request.

New or transferring Hazlewood students

  1. Upload required documents to the Texas Hazlewood Exemption Application.
  2. Check your MyLeo student email account for correspondence regarding your request.

Benefits Description

  • Pays resident tuition and required fees.
  • Recipients can receive up to 150 credit hours of exempted resident tuition and fees.
  • Hazlewood hours will be used to pay for tuition and some fees for courses which are dropped after the 12th class day.
  • If a veteran fails to use all of their Hazlewood hours, the veteran or conservator of the hours may reassign the unused hours to a dependent.
  • If a child to whom hours have been delegated fails to use all assigned hours, the veteran or conservator of the hours may reassign the unused hours to another dependent.
  • Only one individual within the family may use the Hazlewood Exemption during a given semester, and all eligible recipients use the same pool of 150 credit hours of resident tuition and fees exempted to include the veteran.
  • The Hazlewood Exemption is considered to be a financial resource for financial aid purposes and, as such, may reduce a student's other awards.

Note: Veterans wishing to revoke assigned Hazlewood Legacy hours must submit the revocation form to [email protected].

Department of Defense Policies

  1. Per DoDI 1322.25, Voluntary Education Programs, paragraph 1.c.(1)(b), ETAMU “will not use unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting practices.”
  2. Per DoD MOU, paragraph 3.j.(2), ETAMU is required to “Refrain from providing any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including Tuition Assistance funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.”
  3. Per DoD MOU, paragraph 3.j.(3), ETAMU will “Refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments.”
  4. Per DoD MOU, paragraph 4.d.(1), “If an eligible Service member decides to use Tuition Assistance (TA), [ETAMU] will enroll him or her only after the TA is approved by the individual’s Service.”

Military Tuition Assistance

For tuition assistance programs, service members should begin the application process by contacting their education advisors or ESOs or seeking approval from installation commanders.

Sponsorship documents and forms will be applied to the student account as conditional credit. Conditional credits do not indicate that a payment from the sponsoring entity has been received by the university. Conditional credits are subject to change based on payments received.

The sponsoring government/military entity dictates what will and will not be paid, regardless of what has been invoiced. They have the final authority on tuition and fee-related payments, which could change the conditional credits applied to the account.

AIR AND SPACE FORCE

For additional information, to sign up, or to check your TA status, please visit the Air and Space Force Tuition Assistance page.

ARMY

For additional information, to sign up, or to check your TA status, please visit the Army Tuition Assistance page.

COAST GUARD

For additional information, to sign up, or to check your TA status, please visit the Coast Guard Tuition Assistance page.

MARINE CORPS

For additional information, to sign up, or to check your TA status, please visit the Community Services page.

NAVY

For additional information, to sign up, or to check your TA status, please visit the Navy Tuition Assistance page.

Meal Programs

Did you know student veterans may qualify for free meals?

Meals for Vets

Meals for Vets is a program that provides free daily meals to student veterans who have low income.

Getting through school is hard enough without worrying if you can afford to eat. Meals for Vets and Mom's Meals have partnered to ensure you receive discreet delivery of 10 fresh meals every two weeks, delivered to your residence.

To Qualify:

  • Must have served at least 180 days of federal active duty
  • Provide proof of service (such as DD-214)
  • Provide proof of all household income and benefits
  • Meet low-income qualifications

If you have questions, wish to review detailed eligibility criteria, or want to apply, call 830.992.3375 or visit Meals for Vets.

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