Military and Veteran Success Center
Support services for all military affiliated students at UT Tyler, regardless of campus location, are provided through the Military and Veterans Success Center. Services include support and guidance regarding Department of Veterans Affairs and Texas education benefits, the certification processes to use benefits, assistance with on campus processes, information on Federal, State, local and on campus benefits and resources available to military affiliated students, and support for the Student Veterans of America student group. Contact the Military and Veterans Success Center at 903.565.5972, MVSC@uttyler.edu, or visit our website at www.uttyler.edu/MVSC.
Federal VA Education Benefits
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Students who are seeking eligibility for VA education benefits should visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on different benefit types and the application process. Neither the MVSC nor UT Tyler determines eligibility for any educational benefits administered through the VA. The VA determines eligibility for the following benefits:
- Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill ®
- Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®, including the Fry Scholarship for eligible dependents and the Rogers STEM Scholarship
- Chapter 35: Dependents Educational Assistance
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill®-Reserve
Once the VA determines eligibility for a benefit, a student will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. A student requesting to use VA benefits at UT Tyler must submit the COE, along with other required documentation, through the MVSC’s Canvas course.
Student veterans eligible for Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) require an authorization from their case worker to take classes. This authorization is provided from the case worker to the MVSC and must be received before the student’s enrollment can be certified.
Important Policies
All students must have their session request submitted at least 15 business days prior to the bill date of the term for which they wish to enroll. VA requires that enrollment certifications be submitted within 30 days of the beginning of the term for all benefit chapters.
Students using Post-9/11 benefits are initially certified without tuition and fees. After the end of the drop/add period, tuition/fee amounts are submitted to the VA.
Federal law requires that a hold be placed on students using Chapter 31 benefits, as well as those using Chapter 33 benefits at the 100% level.
Once certified, ALL students receive a hold on their account that prevents them from changing their class schedule. Students must contact the MVSC to have this hold removed if they need to change their schedule after the drop/add period.
Military affiliated students are generally subject to the same tuition policies as other students at UT Tyler. Please contact the MVSC for more specific information.
The MVSC cannot release any information that is a part of a student's educational record-including financial aid and benefit status information-to parents, guardians, or other interested parties without the specific written permission of the student.
Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
Tuition Assistance (TA) is the term used for financial aid given by military branches to active duty and reserve service members for college courses. Each branch of the military has its own tuition assistance policy.
Regardless of the student’s branch of service, TA only covers the cost of tuition, and not any associated fees. UT Tyler's tuition rate can exceed the tuition caps published by each service. Students are responsible for all costs not covered by TA, which must be paid by the published tuition deadlines.
Service members should speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) at their unit/command prior to enrolling at UT Tyler to begin the TA application process.
Hazlewood Act
The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that 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. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
For additional information on the Hazlewood Act, visit the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) website at www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood. A copy of the policy governing the administration of the Hazlewood program at UT Tyler can be provided upon request.
Eligibility Determinations:
The Military and Veterans Success Center (MVSC) shall determine student eligibility for the Hazlewood exemption at UT Tyler. Final questions on student eligibility shall be resolved by the Director of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Previous eligibility determinations by other institutions DO NOT require UT Tyler to automatically award the exemption. Eligibility can only be determined by applying and submitting the required documentation.
The documents required to use the Hazlewood exemption are listed in the Texas Administrative Code. Students who desire to apply for the Hazlewood exemption will receive a checklist of required documents to submit through the MVSC’s Canvas course. Documents besides those listed MAY be accepted by the MVSC to determine eligibility, after consultation with TVC.
Hazlewood Act Continuation:
During the fall semester, each student who attended UT Tyler AND used the Hazlewood exemption during the previous academic year shall submit a Hazlewood Application for Continued Enrollment prior to the deadline published by the MVSC. The Application for Continued Enrollment shall be used to determine the student’s continued eligibility for the current academic year.
Students who begin at UT Tyler during the summer semester shall submit the Hazlewood Act Exemption Application for the summer, and the Application for Continued Enrollment for the fall semester.
Additional Resources and Information
In addition to assistance with educational benefits, several other programs and resources are available for eligible students. These include, but are not limited to:
- Priority registration for eligible student veterans;
- Access to the MVSC Lounge, in which all military affiliated students can rest, relax, study, and interact with other students before, between, or after classes;
- Participation in the VA work-study program, allowing eligible students to work part-time while attending school (dependent upon staffing needs);
- Assistance with the VA tutorial assistance program;
- Membership with Student Veterans of America at UT Tyler (SVA);
- Access to veteran and military affiliated scholarships;
- Access to military specific career transition programs to assist with internships, job openings, and career opportunities.
Points of Contact
Texas Department of Veterans Affairs-www.tvc.texas.gov.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-www.benefits.va.gov/gibill, 888-442-4551