GI Bill
Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the Chapter 30 GI Bill for qualified veterans. While most colleges and skill training programs have school representatives to assist you in acquiring your benefits you may want to contact the VA. Additional information can be found at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). VA educational benefits may be used while the service member is on active duty or after the service-member's separation from active duty with a fully honorable military discharge. Discharges "under honorable conditions" and "general" discharges do not establish eligibility.
Eligibility generally expires 10 years after the service-member's discharge. However, there are exceptions for disability, re-entering active duty, and upgraded discharges.
All participants must have a high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or completed 12 hours toward a college degree before applying for benefits.
Previously, service-members had to meet the high school requirement before they completed their initial active duty obligation. Those who did not may now meet the requirement and reapply for benefits. If eligible, they must use their benefits either within 10 years from the date of last discharge from active duty or by Nov. 2, 2010, whichever is later.
Additionally, every veteran must establish eligibility under one of four categories. (Categories 2 and 4 do not apply to the TVLP target group.)
- VA GI Bill Education Benefits
- VA GI Bill 1-888-442-4551 (toll-free)
Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program assists veterans who have service-connected disabilities with obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. Independent living services are also available for severely disabled veterans who are not currently ready to seek employment. Additional information is available on VA's web site.
Eligibility: A veteran must have a VA service-connected disability rated at least 20 percent with an employment handicap, or rated 10 percent with a serious employment handicap, and be discharged or released from military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Servicemembers pending medical separation from active duty may also apply if their disabilities are reasonably expected to be rated at least 20 percent following their discharge.
Entitlement: A VA Counselor must decide if the individual has an employment handicap based upon the results of a comprehensive evaluation. After an entitlement decision is made, the individual and counselor will work together to develop a rehabilitation plan. The rehabilitation plan will specify the rehabilitation services to be provided.
Services: Rehabilitation services provided to participants in the VR&E program are under one of five tracks. VA pays the cost of all approved training programs. Subsistence allowance may also be provided. The five tracks are:
- Reemployment with Previous Employer: For individuals who are separating from active duty or in the National Guard or Reserves and are returning to work for their previous employer.
- Rapid Access to Employment: For individuals who either wish to obtain employment soon after separation or who already have the necessary skills to be competitive in the job market in an appropriate occupation.
- Self-Employment: For individuals who have limited access to traditional employment, need flexible work schedules, or who require more accommodation in the work environment due to their disabling conditions or other life circumstances.
- Employment Through Long-Term Services: For individuals who need specialized training and/or education to obtain and maintain suitable employment.
- Independent Living Services: For veterans who are not currently able to work and need rehabilitation services to live more independently.
Period of a Rehabilitation Program: Generally, veterans must complete a program within 12 years from their separation from military service or within 12 years from the date VA notifies them that they have a compensable service-connected disability. Depending on the length of program needed, veterans may be provided up to 48 months of full-time services or their part-time equivalent. These limitations may be extended in certain circumstances.
2008 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Rates: In some cases, a veteran requires additional education or training to become employable. A subsistence allowance is paid each month during training and is based on the rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. Contact local Ch. 31 representatives for subsistence allowance funds.
Work-Study: Veterans training at the three-quarter or full-time rate may participate in VA's work-study program and provide VA outreach services, prepare/process VA paperwork, work at a VA medical facility, or perform other VA-approved activities. A portion of the work-study allowance equal to 40 percent of the total may be paid in advance.
Hazelwood Act
This program is administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and assists veterans with education costs. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers the Hazelwood Act and handles the application process. Veterans must provide the registrars of their colleges proof from DoD of their military service and the nature of their discharges. Both veterans and their dependents must provide proof of eligibility for GI/Montgomery benefits by requesting letters from the VA office in Muskogee, Oklahoma (1-888-442-4551). Dependents must provide proof from DoD or from VA regarding a parent's death or parent's disability related to service. Both groups must contact their college financial aid offices regarding their status on prior federal student loans or loans guaranteed by the State of Texas. They must also complete the appropriate application and submit it to the college financial aid office.
Veterans applying for Hazelwood benefits must:
- Be Texas residents;
- Have been Texas residents at the time they entered the U.S. Armed Forces;
- Have served at least 181 days of active military duty indicated as "net active service;" that is, the sum of 12(c) and 12(d) on the DD-214 is at least 181;
- Have received honorable discharges or separations or general discharges under honorable conditions;
- Have federal veterans' education benefits for the term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazelwood benefits (PELL and SEOG grants are not relevant as of fall 2005.);
- Not be in default on federal education loans or student loans made or guaranteed by the State of Texas; and
- Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs), unless the college's governing board has ruled to let veterans receive the benefit while taking nonfunded courses.
Dependents of veterans applying for Hazelwood benefits must:
- Have a parent who was a resident of Texas at the time of entry in the service who died as a result of service-related injuries or illness or whose parent became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of service-related injury or illness,
- Be Texas residents, and
- Not be in default on federal education loans or loans made or guaranteed by the State of Texas.
Hazelwood benefits:
- May not be used for correspondence courses unless the courses are part of the student's degree plan;
- Are available only for use at Texas public colleges or universities;
- Pay for all dues, fees, and charges, including fees for correspondence courses, but exclude property deposit fees, student service fees, and any fees or charges for lodging, board, or clothing. No funds may be used to pay tuition for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support.
Hazelwood Act Overview | Hazelwood Act Information and Forms | Frequently Asked Questions
Texas Veterans Commission
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is the authorizing agency in accrediting educational facilities for use of the GI Bill. TVC can provide information on education benefits for veterans. TVC assists Texas veterans with filing claims for veterans' compensation, pensions, benefits, educational assistance, home loans, insurance, and other privileges. Services are provided through a network of county officers and TVC staff.
ATI Enterprises Larry Gilbert/VFW Memorial Scholarship Winners
Texas ATI Enterprises career schools generously donated full scholarships to its career school programs to seven returning veterans from Iraq and Afganistan who applied and were selected in the Fall of 2008. Representatives of the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) made the selection of the scholarship recipients from among the applicants. The mission of the VFW is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. The scholarship award recipients are:
| Maribel Macias Brownsville |
Andrew Rusk Lubbock |
| Angel Monreal Brownsville |
Gonzalo Trevino Brownsville |
| Joann Olivarez La Feria |
Ernest Williams Dallas |
| Randy Quiroz Laredo |
Congratulations to the award winners and thanks to the Dept. of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars and Texas ATI Enterprises for their generous donation to the Texas Workforce Commission's Texas Veterans Leadership Program.
