The Education Service administers the following benefit programs. We are also including documents and forms which will aid school officials, veterans and dependents. We trust you will find what you are looking for in our program descriptions. If you need additional assistance, please call our toll-free number 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor.
Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB)
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.
VA now reimburses for some Licensing and Certification Tests.
You can receive reimbursement for licensing and certification tests you take on or after March 1, 2001. These tests must be specifically approved for the G.I. Bill. VA can pay only for the cost of the tests and not other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification.
Tuition Assistance "Top-Up" General Information
On October 30, 2000, the President signed into law an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill
- Active Duty education program that permits VA to pay a Tuition Assistance Top- up benefit. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition.. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Summary of Benefits Under the Educational Assistance Test Program Section 901 of Public Law 96-342
Section 901 is an Educational Assistance Test Program created by the Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1981 (Public Law 96-342) to encourage enlistment and reenlistment in the Armed Forces. Benefits are available to individuals who entered on active duty after September 30, 1980, and before October 1, 1981 (or before October 1, 1982, if entry was under a delayed enlistment contract signed between September 30, 1980, and October 1, 1981).
NOTE: Although Public Law 96-342 established a beginning date for the test program as October 1, 1980, the military service departments did not start offering the test program to new enlistees until December 1, 1980.
Work-Study Program
This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans' office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, which ever is greater. If you have questions on this program contact our toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.
Tutorial Assistance Program
Tutorial assistance is available if you are receiving VA educational assistance at the half-time or more rate and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. If you have questions on this program please contact our toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.
VA Education Manual for School Officials (AACRAO)
This Education Manual is used by School Certifying Officials to gain information about VA education programs and as a guide to aid them in the completion of forms for submission to VA. It is mainly intended for School Certifying Officials but we feel the information may be helpful to anyone interested in VA Benefits. (This manual is currently under revision.) Education Forms
This area has common VA forms and related forms available for you to print. Contact our toll-free number 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to request Education forms.
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