Child (Legacy Act)

Eligible veterans may assign unused hours of exemption eligibility to a child under certain conditions. To be eligible, the child must:

  • Be a Texas resident;
  • Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child. or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year;
  • Be 25 years or younger on the first day of the semester or term for which the exemption is claimed (unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition); and
  • Make satisfactory academic progress in a degree, certificate, or continuing education program as determined by the institution.

If a child to whom hours have been delegated fails to use all of the assigned hours, a veteran may re-assign the unused hours to another dependent child.

A veteran's spouse or a child's guardian, conservator, custodian, or other legally designated caretaker may re-assign unused hours to an eligible child (through Legacy) on behalf of the veterans if the veteran died prior to requesting the transfer of hours (documentation required)..

More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill