Hey, ya'll! So I'm planning to enlist right after graduation. I've heard there are some schools in Texas that have free tuition for service members. Does anyone know about this, and could recommend where I should look into? Thanks!
Absolutely, there are indeed options in Texas that offer free or reduced tuition for military members! A notable one is the Hazlewood Act, which is a State of Texas benefit that provides up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including many fee charges, at public colleges or universities in Texas. This does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees. All members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were Texas residents at the time of entry into service, and received either an honorable discharge, a general discharge under honorable conditions, or an honorable release from active duty are eligible.
However, there's also a federal program you should look into: the Post-9/11 GI Bill. It may cover the entire cost of an in-state, undergraduate education at a public school. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. If you've served at least 36 months of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, you could get 100% of the benefits.
As for schools to consider, honestly any public state school is a great starting point. For example, Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin are two excellent state schools that take advantage of the Hazlewood Act and GI Bill. I'd recommend looking into schools based on your desired field of study and career goals, then reaching out to the Admissions or Veterans Affairs office with specific questions about their programs and support for veteran students.
Best of luck with your enlistment and future college journey!
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