LUBBOCK, Texas -
Courts ruled Friday on the Hazelwood Act, a higher education tuition program for Texas veterans.
The U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals upheld state requirements that beneficiaries must live in Texas when they enlist to receive these benefits later when they attend a higher education institution.
The decision is expected to ease some of the rising costs Texas universities are taking on after the program was expanded in 2009 to include vet family members.
The program provides free tuition for veterans and dependents or spouses should they meet specific requirements.
Lou Ortiz with Texas Tech's Military and Veterans Program says Hazelwood can be the extra help our returning vets need to get a degree.
"We of course have Texas veterans returning to this state and we have federal benefits available, but the federal benefits may not be sufficient to a full degree program or they may pursue graduate education as well."
Hazelwood is only applicable in public Texas universities. Those veterans who do not qualify still have other federal benefits available to pursue a degree in higher education, such as the post 9/11 G.I. Bill.
