The following is a summary of how your veteran education benefits can be processed when you have elected or are required to participate in an education abroad program. There is a difference between a course being required and the education abroad program being required. Please check with your academic advisor to verify if an education abroad program is required for your degree or certificate.
More information can also be found at https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/veterans.
More information can also be found at https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/veterans.
Requirements for Credit-bearing International Experiences:
- The VA cannot pay for any fees specific to education abroad unless you are required to go abroad as a part of your degree program.
- You must be enrolled in courses that will apply to your degree program.
- If the education abroad program does not offer Texas A&M coursework and does not charge Texas A&M tuition and fees, it must meet certain criteria. For instance, it must be a VA certifying institution and program.
- If you attend a pre-approved and VA certifying institution’s program, you must complete a Primary Institution Letter and submit it to TAMU VSO.
Payments for Credit-bearing International Experiences:
- Texas A&M can only bill the VA for tuition and fees that are charged by Texas A&M for the course(s) and study abroad fees (when study abroad is required per your degree).
- VA cannot pay toward any fees associated with your books, travel, food, lodging, or excursions.
- If on Chapter 33, you will receive BAH according to the TAMU facility code. You will receive a book stipend if you have not met the $1,000 annual limit. If you are Chapter 1606, Chapter 35 or Chapter 30, your education abroad hours will be certified if the course is required for their degree program. Your monthly stipend will be paid directly to you according to your enrollment for each part of term.
Additional Tips to Maximize Funding:
- When you are enrolled in less than full-time and are in an international internship, research, or co-op experience, which is a part of your degree plan, you can be certified with clock hours. Please contact the VSO regarding your program requirement and the possibility of being certified with clock hours.
- You should verify that your cost of attendance has been increased to include the education abroad costs and discuss other options regarding financial aid with a financial aid advisor.
Hazlewood Exemption
Requirements for Credit-bearing International Experiences:
- You must meet all Hazlewood eligibility renewal requirements as listed on https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/veterans/benefits-and-waivers/hazlewood-exemption.
- If you are a legacy student, you must have remaining degree requirements, as you are only eligible for the hours needed to graduate under your current degree program.
- Legacy – Students who use their veteran parent’s remaining hours
- Students that have their own 150 hours do not have this requirement
Payments for Credit-bearing International Experiences:
- Hazlewood is an exemption - you must be enrolled and charged for your education abroad course(s) at Texas A&M (faculty-led, exchange, and national student exchange programs would be eligible for the Hazlewood exemption).
- Hazlewood cannot be used on provider programs
- Hazlewood only exempts tuition and fees associated with courses and will not cover any costs associated with the study abroad.
- Hazlewood is a state benefit and can only be processed by Texas public institutions.
Additional Tips to Maximize Funding:
- You should verify that your cost of attendance has been increased to include the education abroad costs and discuss other options regarding financial aid with a financial aid advisor.