Veterans Assistance

Office of Veteran and Military Affairs

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs strategically aligns all veteran and military connected entities under one department to provide oversight, easing the transition to higher education and enhancing the overall student success of the UTSA military affiliated community.

Center for Military Affiliated Students

Educational benefits are available to veterans, dependents of veterans, and personnel actively serving in the United States Armed Forces. The UTSA Veterans Certification Office provides the required forms and information regarding educational benefits available to eligible veterans and their dependents. The office is located at the Main Campus, JPL 1.01.14, 210-458-4540. Information is also available online at the Center for Military Affiliated Students website.

Students receiving veteran’s assistance are responsible for understanding and meeting the academic standards of progress required of all Veterans Administration (VA) recipients. These standards are set by VA regulations and are monitored by the Texas Veterans Commission.

All students receiving GI Bill® educational benefits must send all post-secondary educational institution transcripts to the UTSA Office of Admissions for evaluation of prior credit. Current and former military members must send a copy of their military transcripts to UTSA before certification.

UTSA adheres to Title USC 3679 Compliance which allows students to attend or participate in VA approved programs of education, if a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 student provides the school with a "VA Certificate of Eligibility".

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with a tuition exemption of up to 150 credit hours, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees. There is no minimum course load required to use the Hazlewood Exemption.

The Hazlewood Exemption can be used in conjunction with financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships and work-study). Please note that this exemption must fit within your Cost of Attendance (COA) and your financial need. If financial aid is already disbursed or awarded at the time your Hazlewood exemption is approved, there may be adjustments to your financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships and work-study) to accommodate this exemption. Hazlewood documentation needs to be submitted every semester for which a student would like to have the exemption applied. If you would like more information on how to apply for Hazlewood, please visit the Veterans Certification Office website.

Early Registration

All Military Veterans and Service Members who served on active duty or Reserve or National Guard service will have the ability to register for their courses early in the priority registration schedule in order to achieve timely program completion (see the online registration schedule). Veterans and Service Members must have self-identified on their admissions application or be certified through the UTSA Veterans Certification Office to receive early registration status.

VA VetSuccess on Campus Program

The VetSuccess on Campus program is a collaborative effort between UTSA and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with the purpose of providing a supportive on-campus environment for student Veterans. Services provided will enable student Veterans to make a smooth transition to college life and successfully complete their educational programs.

The VA has placed two full-time, experienced Vocational Counselors on the UTSA campus. These counselors will serve as “one-stop liaisons” for Veterans, active duty military and their eligible family members who attend or plan to attend UTSA.

VetSuccess on Campus Counselors can assist with:

  • Information on VA educational benefits to include: Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30), Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), and other VA and non-VA educational benefits
  • How to apply for and maximize your VA educational benefits should you be eligible for more than one benefit
  • Understanding and applying for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)
  • Vocational exploration and career counseling services
  • Information on college credit for military experience and training
  • Job placement assistance and referrals to state employment agencies and services
  • Information on applying for other VA benefits to include disability compensation, Life Insurance and Home Loan Guaranty
  • Assistance with electing healthcare benefits through the Veterans Health Administration
  • Information and referrals for VA medical and mental health services
  • Referrals to the local Vet Center for readjustment counseling services
  • Referrals to on-campus, community and VA resources to ensure academic success

For more information visit the UTSA Veterans Certification Office website.

VA VITAL Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has placed a VITAL Coordinator on the UTSA campus to help Veterans and transitioning service members with their healthcare needs.

  • Assistance with electing healthcare benefits through the Veterans Health Administration
  • Information and referrals for VA medical and mental health services
  • Assistance with mental health, post-deployment, and readjustment concerns
  • Meet Veterans Health Administration criteria for healthcare services
  • Connecting Veterans and transitioning service members with community resources

For more information visit the UTSA Center for Military Affiliated Students website.

Military Affiliated Collaborative

The Military Affiliated Collaborative (MAC) is the programming and engagement section of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs. The MAC helps facilitate veteran and military affiliated students to transition, learn, engage, and excel by coordinating and integrating support services across campus.

The MAC also has peer mentors and a registered student organization component to provide education resources, community involvement opportunities and support for all military affiliated students on campus. All our mentors have lived experience as veterans or family members.

For more information and updates on MAC activities, join Rowdylink.

Disabled Veteran Parking

Upon registration and proper notification to Campus Services, owners of vehicles displaying specialty license plates, as identified in Texas Transportation Code 504.315 and 504.316 only, are exempt from the payment of fees at paid short term surface parking and are further exempt from the payment of fees for any UTSA surface parking permit for which they are otherwise eligible, in accordance with State Law. The value of the no charge permit received cannot be applied to future permit upgrades and is not refund eligible. This privilege applies to the Veteran only and not to anyone else driving the vehicle.

This parking privilege does not apply to 1) a parking space or area located in a controlled access parking facility if at least 50 percent of the number of parking spaces or areas designated specifically for persons with physical disabilities on the property of the institution of higher education are located outside a controlled access parking facility; 2) an area temporarily designated for special event parking; or an area where parking is temporarily prohibited for health or safety concerns.

"GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.