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The Diploma, Even If You Already Hold a GED

Texas school districts issue a high school diploma to an honorably discharged veteran who left school after completing GRADE 6 OR HIGHER to serve, and was scheduled to graduate AFTER 1940 AND BEFORE 1975, OR AFTER 1989. The conflicts named run from WWII and Korea through Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan. Two things set this apart. The AFTER 1989 window means it is not only a benefit for the very old. And IT IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF THE VETERAN ALREADY HOLDS A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE — a GED does not disqualify you.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Texas school districts issue a high school diploma to an honorably discharged veteran who left school after completing GRADE 6 OR HIGHER to serve, and was scheduled to graduate AFTER 1940 AND BEFORE 1975, OR AFTER 1989. The conflicts named run from WWII and Korea through Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan. Two things set this apart. The AFTER 1989 window means it is not only a benefit for the very old. And IT IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF THE VETERAN ALREADY HOLDS A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE — a GED does not disqualify you.

What it's worth: A high school diploma issued by a school district

  • Scheduled to graduate AFTER 1940 AND BEFORE 1975, OR AFTER 1989.
  • Left school AFTER COMPLETING GRADE 6 OR HIGHER in order to serve.
  • Conflicts named include WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the PERSIAN GULF, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.
  • AVAILABLE EVEN IF THE VETERAN ALREADY HOLDS A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE. A GED does not disqualify you.
  • The AFTER 1989 window means this is not only a benefit for the very old.
  • Issued by the local school district on a form prescribed by the Texas Education Agency commissioner.
  • An honorable discharge is required.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups who can pursue this.
  • The discharge was honorable.
  • School was left in order to serve.
  • Texas school districts.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Do not rule yourself out for holding a GED. The statute expressly allows it.
  2. 2Check the two windows: scheduled graduation after 1940 and before 1975, or after 1989.
  3. 3Apply to the school district, on the form the Texas Education Agency commissioner prescribes.
  4. 4Send the DD-214 showing the honorable discharge.
  5. 5If the veteran has died, ask anyway — such diplomas are commonly awarded posthumously.
Form
Application form prescribed by the Texas Education Agency, to your school district
File with
Your Texas school district
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal needed
Worth knowingThe after-1989 window and the GED clause together make this much wider than the usual version of this benefit. A Gulf, Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who took a GED instead of finishing school is inside it.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.