Factors for Veterans and Service Members to Consider
Many Veterans and Service members are eligible for a variety of education benefit programs. They include:
Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the most frequently used VA education benefit. It provides up to 36 months of benefits to help pay for school or job training for Veterans, Service members, survivors and dependents.
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30)
MGIB-AD, or Chapter 30, provides up to 36 months of financial assistance for educational pursuits, including college, vocational/technical training, correspondence courses, apprenticeships/on-the-job training, flight training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training courses, and national examinations. Generally, your MGIB-AD benefits are paid directly to you on a monthly basis.
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606)
MGIB-SR, or Chapter 1606, provides up to 36 months of financial assistance for educational pursuits, including college, vocational/technical training, correspondence courses, apprenticeships/on-the-job training, flight training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, and national examinations. If you are a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may qualify for this program.
Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607)
Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)
VEAP, or Chapter 32, is a $2-for-$1 matching program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to those who elected to make contributions from their military pay before April 1, 1987. You can use these benefits for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeships/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs.
Survivors’ and Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) Program
DEA program, or Chapter 35, provides a monthly payment to help you cover the cost of a degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeships/ on-the-job training, correspondence courses and other programs. Individuals who first use DEA after August 1, 2018 qualify for a maximum of 36 months of entitlement.
Tuition Assistance (Army Ignite)
Yellow Ribbon Program (San Jacinto College does not participate.)
The Yellow Ribbon program provides additional financial support if you are eligible at the 100% benefit level and attend a school where tuition and fees exceed the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit available by law.
Consider these questions before choosing the most appropriate VA education benefit:
• Which benefit would pay you more?
• Are you receiving other aid and will that entitlement change?
• Which Post-9/11 GI Bill tier are you eligible for?
• How much of the training will be online?
• Where will the training take place?
• Is the time limit for using the benefit important?
• Are you a member of the Armed Forces or a Veteran?
• Are you eligible for Transfer of Entitlement? Do you want to transfer entitlement?
• Do you have remaining entitlement under other VA education programs?
SUMMARY OF GI BILL BENEFITS
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/gibguideseries/chooseyoureducationpathway.pdf
UNDERSTANDING YOUR BENEFITS
https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/gibguideseries/chooseyoureducationbenefits.pdf
The VA Education Call Center is available at 1-888-442-4551 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. -6 p.m. CST) for any questions about GI Bill benefits.
Apply Today:
Applying is the best way to determine your eligibility. To apply, visit ebenefits.VA.gov, your one-stop shop to learn about and apply for benefits.
For further assistance, see the links below.
eBenefits ebenefits.VA.gov
VA Education Web Page VA.gov/education
GI Bill Comparison Tool VA.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
Education Call Center 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) (inside the U.S)
001-918-781-567 (outside of the U.S.)
Information obtained from:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill