The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit today upheld Texas’s Hazlewood Act, which waives public state university tuition for honorably discharged veterans who enlisted from Texas. To qualify for the 150 hours of tuition-free credit, veterans must have entered military service at a location in Texas, been a resident of Texas while enlisting, or declared the state as their home of record on their military records. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following statement on today’s ruling:
“Texas passed the Hazlewood Act in 1923 to ensure the continued success of Texas military veterans who honorably served the United States,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Education is vital in their transition back to civilian life and today’s ruling allows Texas to exercise its sovereign right to encourage Texas students to finish high school, volunteer for military service, and bring their skills back to Texas to pursue higher education. As the Court agreed, the State clearly has a rational basis for the qualifications set forth in the Hazlewood Act. This win is an affirmation of the Texas Legislature’s authority to establish State policy, as well as a win for taxpayers and veterans.”