Information For Military Veterans
Published or Revised May 22, 2024
Education Benefits
Federal and state veteran education benefits are administered through the Paris Junior College Financial Aid Office located in the Alford Center. Eligibility for benefits is dependent on satisfactory academic progress and will be lost if the student's cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, or the student's completion rate falls below 67%.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veterans who are planning to use VA educational benefits should check their eligibility and apply for benefits at www.va.gov/education/eligibility. All federal veterans educational benefits are determined by the VA.
Students receiving VA benefits must promptly notify the Financial Aid Office regarding any course(s) dropped. VA will require students to repay any benefits received for courses that were dropped.
VA educational benefits will only pay for courses that are required for graduation as part of the student’s official degree plan. VA students may not repeat a course for which they have received a passing grade (D or higher) unless a higher grade is required as a prerequisite for a required class. The VA will only pay for remedial coursework that is required for graduation.
Applying to Use VA Benefits
For new students seeking to use VA benefits, Paris Junior College will require copies of the following outside documentation:
- The Veteran’s DD-214 – must show “Honorable” discharge status
- All transcripts for the student, including a Joint Services Transcript, if applicable
- A Certificate of Eligibility with the student’s personal information, benefit type, remaining benefits, and expiration date
Each semester, new and returning students seeking to use VA benefits must submit a "Request for VA Educational Benefits" form to the Financial Aid Office no later than 30 days after the first day of class for the semester.
For more information on applying for VA benefits, including website links to retrieve documents, click here to download a an instructional flyer in pdf format.
Supplemental Information
Paris Junior College is approved for veterans training under the provisions of various federal and state laws. Paris Junior College is compliant with the conditions for VA Educational Benefits listed in 38 USC 3679(e).
Veterans whose financial obligation exceeds their VA education benefit disbursement may be required to pay for the difference or set up a payment plan (which has a $25 fee). Paris Junior College does not participate in the VA’s Advance Payment Program or pre-certification.
For assistance or more information, contact:
Matthew Dillon
Veterans Specialist
903-782-0371
veterans@parisjc.edu
State of Texas - Hazlewood Act
The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Texas Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees. For veterans, all VA benefits must be utilized before the Hazlewood act can be applied.
Eligibility requirements are set by the State of Texas (via TEC §54.341 and 40 TAC §461). Eligibility is determined after review of appropriate documentation specific to the status of the beneficiary (Veteran / Legacy / Spouse or Dependent). Eligibility information may be found on the Texas Veterans Commission website.
Applying to Use Hazlewood Act Benefits
All Hazlewood applicants must register with the Hazlewood online database at https://hazlewood.tvc.texas.gov/students/.
For students seeking to use Hazlewood Act benefits for the first time, Paris Junior College requires the following documentation:
- The Hazlewood Exemption Application (click here and scroll down to the Resources section).
- The Veteran’s DD-214 or equivalent
- For Veterans:
- A Certificate of Eligibility showing that VA education benefits have expired or been denied.
- For Legacy Students:
- A Certificate of Eligibility showing that VA education benefits have expired or been denied.
- Proof of Relationship to the Hazlewood-eligible veteran
- For Spouse / Dependent students:
- VA Summary of Benefits letter showing:
- the Veteran has service-connected disabilities, AND
- the Veteran is considered “totally and permanently disabled solely due to service-connected disabilities,” AND
- the Veteran is evaluated at 100% OR “unemployable due to service-connected disabilities”
- Proof of Relationship of the student to the Hazlewood-eligible veteran
- VA Summary of Benefits letter showing:
Returning Hazlewood Act students will be required to complete the Application for Continued Enrollment (click here and scroll down to the Resources section) and the online Request for Veterans Educational Benefits for each major semester (Fall/Spring/Summer).
For assistance or more information, contact:
Matthew Dillon
Veterans Specialist
903-782-0371
veterans@parisjc.edu
Excused Absence for Active Military Service
Upon notice from a student, an institution of higher education shall excuse a student from attending classes or engaging in other required activities, including examinations, in order for the student to participate in active military service to which the student is called, including travel associated with the service.
A student whose absence is excused may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to complete an assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence. An instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the absence. [Education Code 51.9111(c); 19 TAC 4.9(a)–(b)]
Should this situation occur, please contact the Veterans Services desk in the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible by phone at (903) 782-0371 or by email at veterans@parisjc.edu.