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I will take the perspective of an Academic Advising Team Lead at San Antonio College. This legal padlet may be used by academic advisors who work with students using Halzlewood benefits. I selected this topic because I strongly believe that our Texas Veterans deserve the entitlements under the Act.  As an Advising Team Lead who works directly with over 2000 Veteran students every academic year, it is my responsibility to ensure that my advisors are comfortable when speaking to students about the eligibility requirements and entitlements under the act. This presentation is designed to enhance an academic advisor's knowledge of the Hazlewood Act which includes applying each provision of the act as well as acting as good stewards of the financial allocation our college makes.

I chose this topic for a couple of reasons, first, I currently use the benefit which gives me a personal connection to how important it is to understand how it works.  Second, I work with Veteran students on a daily basis so I feel it is important to understand the benefit and apply it correctly.

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On November 11, 2020, I interviewed Tammy Micallef - Director Victory Center at San Antonio College (SAC). Ms. Micallef explained that many times the legal provisions under the Hazlewood Act are sometimes difficult to understand and/or interpret. As Director of the Victory Center, Ms. Micallef if directly responsible for the center's budget which is directly linked to funds collected for tuition and fees paid by education benefits.

In 1943, the Texas Legislature enacted the Hazlewood Act as §54.341 of the Texas Education Code.  The new law would provide Texas Veterans and their qualified dependents 150 semester hours of tuition and fees exemption at a public institution of higher education in Texas.  Over  300,000 Veterans have use the Hazlewood Act in the past 8 years and according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board over the next 5 years they are estimating over 320,000 will use the benefit.

Best Practices:
* Utilize a Hazlewood Checklist that outlines all the required documents needed to prove eligibility for students requesting to use benefit.
* Have a quality assurance process in place when applying the exemption to a student's account.  For example, a Hazlewood Stamp  which could be used as a verification tool for the School Certifying Officials to verify eligibility.
* Have a training schedule that includes Hazlewood Training to refresh advisor knowledge on the provisions of the act.

Current Issue:
One area of concern Ms. Micallef did identify during her interview was the technical difficulties students were facing when setting up their student accounts in the Hazlewood database. Specifically the database was not allowing students access to their Hazlewood information.  One of the provisions in the Hazlewood Act is that students must meet all the requirements as outlined in the Hazlewood Act Statute as well as 40 Texas Administrative Code §461. This issue delayed the certification process causing students to set up payment plans to avoid being dropped from classes for non payment.

Bio:
Ms. Micallef, a retired Navy Veteran spent over a year working for the Texas Veteran's Commission in Austin, TX as the Director of the State Approving Agency.  One of her key responsibilities was to supervise the daily operations of the Hazlewood team who managed all inquiries from schools and students in the state.  As Director, Ms. Micallef was responsible for providing training to school personnel during annual conferences such as The Texas Association of Collegiate Veteran Program Officials (TACVPO).  Currently,  Ms. Micallef continues to monitor changes to the Hazlewood Act which is reviewed by the Texas Legislature every two years. Her knowledge of Veteran education benefits is exceptional, however her dedication to serving her brothers and sisters who have served in the military is what gives her the drive to continue working in her field.

Reference:
Link to SAC website:
https://www.alamo.edu/sac/about-sac/college-offices/advising/institutes/veterans-affairs/

Cline, M. E., Murdock, S. (2015). Projections of the Use of the Hazlewood Benefit. Research Gate. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12018.09924

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The Texas Association of Collegiate Veteran Program Officials (TACVPO) was created over 40 years ago to help train advisors and school certifying official at educational institutions across the state of Texas who provide assistance to veterans and their family members that are using Veterans Benefits from the state of Texas or the Department of Veteran's Affairs.  Through this association, members have the opportunity to network with colleagues to solve problems, seek advice, or mentor one another.  TACVPO works directly with the the Texas Veterans Commission who provides subject matter experts on the Hazlewood Act to present during their annual conferences.  https://www.tacvpo.com/

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In 2017, the US Supreme Court decided not to review the Hazlewood Act when a University of Houston student filed a law suit claiming that the law was unconstitutional.

* Several lawmakers expressed their concern that allowing veterans from other  states to use the benefit would be costly for the state.
* U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. ordered the University of Houston not to deny veteran Keith Harris access to the benefit solely because he did not enlist in the state of Texas.  Harris's argument was that this provision violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
* The announcement not to review the case was applauded by Attorney General Ken Paxton who considered this a win for Texas taxpayers.
* The ruling would help ensure the Hazlewood Act's financial future and would continue to provide education benefits to Texas Veterans.

Link to article: https://www.chron.com/politics/texas/article/U-S-Supreme-Court-passes-on-Hazelwood-Act-10846061.php

Reference:
U.S. Const. amend XIV
Zelenski, A. (2017). U.S. Supreme Court passes on UH veterans tuition benefits case. Chron.com. https://www.chron.com/politics/texas/article/U-S-Supreme-Court-passes-on-Hazelwood-Act-10846061.php

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Lawmakers propose bills to help alleviate the financial burden on public universities and colleges and the state's budget.

* The article presents data showing the increase of recipients using the Hazlewood exemption has more than doubled since the inception of the Hazlewood Legacy provision was added to the Hazlewood Act in 2009.
* The increase in recipients using the benefit means public colleges and universities are waiving a significantly higher amount of tuition and fees.
* Four lawmakers proposed bills 2536 and 4089  to the Texas House Higher Education Committee that would assist with the cost to institutions.
* HB 2536 proposed to make a policy that would require analyzing data about how much time veterans spend in service to clear up unknown questions about how the Hazlewood Act affected veterans and their families. This bill was approved.
* HB 4089 proposed that the Hazlewood Act exemption should be limited to veterans who serve two years instead of 181 days. In addition, it proposed that only veterans who served six years would be allowed to transfer the unused Hazlewood hours to their children with a 20 year time to do it.  This bill was not approved because the 20 year limit was too restrictive and would put Legacy recipients at a disadvantage.

Link to article: https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lawmakers-address-hazlewood-act-exemptions/article_f9f7e2aa-28a1-11e7-9cf4-a79b00145497.html

Reference:
Edwards, M., (2017). Lawmakers address Hazlewood Act Exemptions. The Shorthorn. https://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lawmakers-address-hazlewood-act-exemptions/article_f9f7e2aa-28a1-11e7-9cf4-a79b00145497.html
H.R. 86th Legis. (2019-2020). https://legiscan.com/TX/research/HB2536/2019
H.R. 86th Legis. (2019-2020). https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB4089/2019

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Texas Education Code §54.341 outlines how the Hazlewood Act works:

* Explains what the Hazlewood Act is - an exemption of tuition & fees
* Outlines eligibility requirements - service requirement, enlistment location and characterization of discharge on DD214
* Reviews application requirements and student responsibilities
* Explains Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
* Reviews School responsibilities in regards to reporting requirements

Link to law:  https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.54.htm#54.341

Reference:
Hazlewood Act, TEC §54.341(1943 & rev. 2009).

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Texas Education Code §54.2001 provides detailed information regarding GPA requirements for continuing students receiving tuition & fee exemptions.

* Students must maintain GPA that satisfies institution's GPA requirement for making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate in accordance with the institution's policy regarding eligibility for financial aid
* Monitor eligibility for students with excess hours
* Requires that school maintain a satisfactory academic progress policy in their catalog
* Requires that only residents of the state of Texas be eligible for the tuition and fee exemption
* For Legacy students, specific residency requirements must be met

Link to law:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.54.htm
http://txrules.elaws.us/rule/title40_chapter461_sec.461.40
http://txrules.elaws.us/rule/title40_chapter461_sec.461.70

References:
Waiver, Exemptions, and Other Tuition and Fee Benefits, TEC §54.2001 (2013 & rev. 2017).
Veterans Eligibility, 40 TAC §461.40 (2014 & rev. 2020).
Hazelwood Legacy Act Eligiblity, 40 TAC §461.70 (2014 & rev. 2020).

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In the state of Texas The judicial power is derived from Article 5, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution, which provides. "The judicial power of this State shall be vested in one Supreme Court, in one Court of Criminal Appeals, in Courts of Appeals, in District Courts, in County Courts, in Commissioners Courts, in Courts of Justices of the Peace, and in such other courts as may be provided by law."
* Laws which pertain directly to higher education in the state of Texas are established by the Legislative branch, and administered by various state agencies.
* The Judicial System deals primarily with cases questioning provisions of Texas laws, such in a 2015 case, where U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. ordered the University of Houston not to deny veteran Keith Harris access to the Hazlewood Act exemption because he enlisted in the military while living in another state.

Link to law:   https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.5.htm

Reference:
The Texas Judicial System. (2014). Office of Court Administration. https://www.txcourts.gov/media/675444/The-Texas-Judicial-System_Print102714.pdf
Zelenski, A. (2017). U.S. Supreme Court passes on UH veterans tuition benefits case. Chron.com. https://www.chron.com/politics/texas/article/U-S-Supreme-Court-passes-on-Hazelwood-Act-10846061.php

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The Texas Veteran Commission in Austin, TX, houses the Hazlewood Team which is responsible for providing guidance on how the Hazlewood Act Administrative Rules work.  They offer information on:

* Authority and Purpose of the Hazlewood Act
* Eligibility for Veteran, Spouse, Children
* Hazlewood Legacy Act Eligibility
* Application Process
* Supporting documentation for the Hazlewood Act Exemption Application
* Subsequent Hazlewood Exemption Award Requirements
* School Reporting Responsibilities
* Records Retention by Institution

Link to law: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=40&pt=15&ch=461&sch=A&rl=Y

References:
Exemption Program for Veterans and Their Dependents (The HAalewood Act). 40 TAC §461
Texas Veteran Commission (n.d.). Hazlewood Act.  https://www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/

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Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule

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Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule

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The Alamo Community College District (ACCD),  in San Antonio has five campuses across the city, SAC, being the campus with the largest population of military affiliated students.  SAC follows the guidelines of the Texas Education Code §54.203 to ensure that only eligible students receive the exemption.  The VA department at SAC has established guidelines to verify eligibility when students apply for the exemption, including a Hazlewood checklist and user friendly website.

Reference:
Veterans Affairs. (n.d.).  https://mysaccatalog.alamo.edu/content.php?catoid=197&navoid=13008&hl=%22hazlewood+act%22&returnto=search#Hazlewood_Program_for_Texas_Veterans
Hazlewood Act, TEC §54.203 (2011).

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One of the provisions in how the Hazlewood Act is administered at the school level is that schools decide who is and who is not eligible for the benefits.  When we consider that this benefit is an exemption and that the State of Texas only returns a fraction of state appropriated funds to the school, it is understandable that schools exempt millions of dollars of tuition and fees yearly.  It is extremely important for school staff to understand how the Hazlewood program works especially when it comes to eligibility requirements. Administrators place trust in their staff that they are both knowledgeable and honest when approving the exemption for a student.  In cases where eligibility is questioned, it is important to base my decision on facts which is not always the desired outcome for the student.

Reference:
Benton, J., Blagg, T., Jauer, J. (2016). The Hazlewood Act: College for Veterans    Unique Program With a Spiraling Price Tag. Comptroller.Texas.Gov. https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/2016/august/hazlewood.php

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Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

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Slide #12 Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards

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As an academic advising team lead, understanding the importance of how the Hazlewood Act works is crucial when supporting my advising team.  Determining eligibility for a student requesting to use the benefit continues to be the most important step in the process.  In additional providing guidance and resources to my team and many times to students, equally enhances their knowledge of the benefit.

As initially noted in Slide #1, the reason for selecting this topic is very personal.  As a current recipient of the benefit, the Hazlewood Act has allow me pursue my masters degree at Angelo State University.  Furthermore, working with over 2000 military affiliated students every semester, many of which use the benefit, allows me to give back a little of what I receive by applying my knowledge of how the benefit works.  Lastly, two of my three children are using the Hazelwood Act and plan on graduating with their masters degrees with no student debt.  I am truly thankful that the State of Texas cares for Veterans and their families!

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Slide #13 Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance

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Slide #13 Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance

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The Hazlewood Act is a very lucrative benefit and in some cases a student's only means of going to school without getting into debt.  As academic advisors, it is important to interpret and apply the provisions of the Hazlewood Act correctly, specifically when it comes to eligibility requirements.  Here are some important key points about the Hazlewood Act:

*The Hazlewood Act provides eligible Texas Veterans and their qualified dependents 150 semester hours of tuition and fees exemption at a public institution of higher education in Texas.
*The most important factor to consider when applying the benefit is that the student must meet eligibility requirements outlined in Texas Education Code §54.341.
*Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined in their school's catalog.
*The service members DD214 must meet eligibility:
>Place of Entry/Home of Record must indicate Texas.
>Veteran must have served a minimum of 181 days of active service excluding initial training.
>Veteran must have received an Honorable Discharge.
*The student must reside in the state of Texas while using the Hazelwood Act.
*Dependents including spouses are awarded their own 150 hours of Hazlewood exemption if the Veterans is awarded 100% Disability through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
*A Hazlewood application (TVC-ED-1) must be submitted every academic year.  TVC-ED-2, Application for Concurrent Enrollment must be submitted each semester.
*Schools are required to report student demographic information and number of hours exempted for each student every semester.

Reference:
Hazlewood Act, TEC §54.341(1943 & rev. 2009).