Several programs under the GI Bill umbrella can benefit Texas veterans, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP), GI Bill-Selected Reserve (SR) and Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). A description of each category is found at the Department of Veterans Affairs website. Length of active-duty service and whether you were in active duty or the reserves determine the program for which you qualify. Benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill can be transferred to qualified dependents through a one-time election by the service member.
The Hazelwood Act provides a tuition exemption to honorably discharged Texas veterans, dependents and spouses. To qualify, a veteran must have exhausted his federal veterans educational benefits, must have been a resident of Texas at the time of his enlistment and must be a Texas resident currently. The program has been expanded by the Hazelwood Legacy Act, which allows a Texas veteran to apply his unused hours toward benefits for a child or stepchild. Children of currently deployed soldiers may qualify for a tuition exemption under Senate Bill 297.
State agencies or offices must give wartime veterans preference in employment until veterans occupy 40 percent of the agency's jobs.
In 2009, the Texas Veterans Commission created the position of business outreach coordinator, who helps educate employers on the benefits of hiring veterans. The commission also provides prescreened, qualified candidates to employers.
The Texas Veterans Land Board provides loans for homes, home improvement and purchasing land. This program is not associated with the U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) program, so even if a veteran has used his federal benefits, he may be eligible for a home loan through the Texas Veterans Land Board.
Texas has four state cemetery sites for veterans. They are located in Abilene, Killeen, Corpus Christi and Mission. Most veterans and their spouses and dependents are eligible to be buried at those sites. A death pension is available for low-income survivors of veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation is available to spouses of disabled veterans.