If you have served in or are currently serving in the United States military, we thank you for your service! Over the years, our country has developed ways to show its appreciation to service members and help them excel outside the military with legislature that assists with education costs and other important aspects of life. We wanted to let you know about some of these assistance options to show you that, as a military veteran, you can afford to pursue the university education you want and deserve.
The most common type of modern veteran assistance—the GI Bill—stems from the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, passed toward the end of World War II. This act gave service members returning from the war financial assistance with home loans and education expenses in addition to funding veterans hospitals. Today, the GI Bill focuses on funding education and training programs. You may see the GI Bill referred to in several ways, including:
- Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill Selective Reserve
Other Military Education Funding Options
In addition to the GI Bill, UT Permian Basin participates in:
- Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)
- Hazlewood Act (Texas Veterans)
The Hazlewood Act is a significant source of education funding assistance designated for Texas military veterans. Let’s take an in-depth look at this option now.
Hazlewood Act Origins, Purpose, and Benefits
The Hazlewood Act originated in the Texas Legislature in 1923 and is named after Sen. Grady Hazlewood, a University of Texas graduate who later helped revise the act to benefit World War II veterans. Exclusive to the state of Texas, the Hazlewood Act “provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas.” If you’re a military veteran who was a Texas resident when you entered active duty, or a spouse or dependent of a veteran who was killed or permanently disabled while in service, you may qualify for this significant benefit.
When you consider the 120 credit hours needed to complete a bachelor’s degree program and 30 credit hours required to complete some of our master’s degrees, the full value of the Hazlewood Act becomes clear: At up to 150 hours, it can cover your undergraduate tuition and most fees as well as most or all of your graduate tuition and fees. Depending on the program you choose, you can earn not one but two valuable degrees to enrich your resume and gain an advantage with potential employers.
The Hazlewood Act can provide a complete education, helping you thrive in your professional life and beyond at relatively little personal expense. While you’ll pay for any books and supplies and cover your own living expenses while enrolled, when you choose an online education program, you can save on these expenses by earning your credentials from home.
Using the Hazlewood Act to Pay for Our Programs
The Hazlewood Act can help you pay for UT Permian Basin’s bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programs, our professional certificate programs, or a combination of these credentials up to 150 credit hours. You gained valuable life and career skills while serving in the military. Why not choose one or more of our 40+ online programs—in diverse disciplines including business administration, communication, nursing, and cyber security—to further boost your career prospects? When you enroll in one of our online programs, you’ll experience considerable benefits practically from day one.
Online Benefits of Our Education Programs
Presented almost entirely in an asynchronous format, our online degree and certificate programs offer unmatched flexibility and convenience. You can complete coursework at your own pace from practically anywhere in the world with no campus visits required. If you currently have professional and personal responsibilities, you’ll immediately discover how advantageous online education can be. For many students, it’s what makes earning a degree possible while continuing to meet their existing commitments. During your program, you’ll also have online access to faculty and classmates as well as extensive student services, all of which add up to a huge support network that will make online learning an enriching and smooth experience.
Professional Benefits of Our Online Degrees
A bachelor’s degree equips you with critical thinking, problem-solving, and other skills that will benefit you daily in your personal and professional life. These “soft” skills are highly sought after by employers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and surveys of major employers. Having a master’s degree on your resume can also significantly increase your compensation and professional opportunities. Data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that master’s degree holders earn about 20% more than those who hold a bachelor’s degree alone.
We encourage you to take advantage of the education benefits you’ve earned! For more information about your military funding options, please contact UT Permian Basin’s Veteran's Services team.
Texas veterans: For complete Hazlewood Act eligibility requirements and application instructions, visit this site. From there, you’ll also be able to initiate an application for UT Permian Basin. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sources:
https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2021/03/10/a-brief-history-of-the-gi-bill/
https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2015/02/txexplainer-the-hazlewood-act/
