Veteran Education Benefits With Healthier Veterans Today! Veterans, along with service members and their family members, can use VA education benefits to help pay for college education, find the best school or training program, as well as obtain career counseling. Learn how to apply for and manage your education and training benefits. Veterans, as well as service members and their qualified family members, can use VA education benefits to help pay for their college education, find the right school or training program, and get career counseling. Learn how to apply for and manage your education and training benefits.
Take advantage of the GI Bill and other Veteran Education Benefits
Benefits from the GI Bill assist you in paying for a college education, graduate school education, or a training program of your choice. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped various qualifying Veterans and their families receive funds to cover a portion of the costs or all the costs of attending school or training. The sections below teach about GI Bill benefits and how to apply for them.
Suppose you have applied and have been awarded Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. The GI Bill Statement of Benefits you receive will show you how much you’ve used and still have to use. Examine your GI Bill Benefits Statement.
The GI Bill Comparison Tool and Veterans Service Organizations can assist you in exploring your options and determining what benefits are available. Look for a Veteran’s service organization.
GI Bill and other Veteran Education Benefits Eligibility
Learn about the GI Bill eligibility requirements and whether you are eligible for these benefits. VA education benefits can assist you in paying for tuition, selecting a school, deciding on a career, and more. If you are an active-duty service member, you can see if you qualify for VA education benefits through the GI Bill or other educational assistance programs. Veterans, a National Guard or Reserves member, or a qualified survivor or dependent.
Is it possible for me to receive Veteran Education Benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
If you served on active duty for a minimum of 90 days after September 10, 2001, whether continuous or interrupted, you may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Is it possible for me to Receive Veteran Education Benefits Through the Montgomery GI Bill?
You could qualify for benefits under one of our Montgomery GI Bill programs.
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
If you have served at least two years on active duty and meet all requirements, you may be eligible for MGIB-AD benefits.
All of the following must be true:
- You were honorably discharged
- You have a high school diploma, a GED, or 12 hours of college credit
- You were discharged honorably
If you have only one service period beginning or after August 1, 2011, and you start receiving MGIB-AD payments, you may lose eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
If you are a member of the United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army National Guard, Coast Guard Reserves, or Air National Guard and meet all requirements, you may be eligible for MGIB-SR benefits.
All of the following must be true:
- You have either a 6-year service obligation (you agreed to serve six years) in the Selected Service or a 6-year service obligation (you decided to do six years).
- You are a Selected Reserve officer who agreed to serve six years in addition to your initial service obligation.
- You also meet the other requirements.
How Many Months of VA Education Benefits Can I Receive in Total?
You could be eligible for up to 48 months of VA education benefits, not including Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E). However, many applicants are only qualified for 36 months.
Is it Possible to Obtain VA Education Benefits Through Other Programs?
Other VA educational assistance programs may be able to help you pay for school tuition, testing fees, and advanced licensing and certifications. You may also be able to obtain entrepreneurship training to assist you in starting or expanding a small business.
Can I Get Educational and Career Advice from the VA?
If you meet one of these criteria, you can be eligible for free academic and vocational counseling through the Individualized Career Planning and Guidance program (Chapter 36).
All of the following must be true:
- You’ll be leaving active duty soon.
- You were released within the last year.
- You are a Veteran or a dependent eligible for VA education benefits.
Are There any Additional Veteran Education Benefits I Might be Able to Obtain?
Suppose you have a service-connected disability that limits or prevents you from working. In that case, you may be able to qualify for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits and services, such as assistance in exploring employment options and obtaining additional training as needed.
Is it possible for my Spouse or Dependent Children to Receive Veteran Education Benefits?
A GI Bill program may provide Veteran Education Benefits assistance to a Veteran’s dependent or surviving spouse and children in some cases. In addition, if you haven’t used up all of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, you may be able to give up to 36 months to your spouse or a dependent child. Your dependent relatives may be eligible for educational and career counseling advantages through the Personalized Career Planning and Guidance program if you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working (Chapter 36).
Other GI Bill Programs That you May be Eligible for
Veteran Education Benefits Assistance for Survivors and Dependents
If you are the child or partner of a Veteran or service member who has died, has been captured or is missing; or has disabilities, you may be eligible for financial assistance that will help to pay for school or job training through the DEA program, also known as Chapter 35.
Is the DEA Program Able to Provide Me with Veteran Education Benefits?
If you and the Veteran or service member meet specific eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for these benefits.
One of the descriptions listed below is required to be true:
- Because of a service-connected disability, the Veteran or service member is permanently disabled.
- The Veteran or service member has passed away while on active duty or from a service-related disability.
- The Veteran or service member has gone missing in action or has been captured by a hostile force while on duty.
- A foreign entity detained (held) or interned the Veteran or service member in the line of duty.
- The Veteran or service member has been admitted to the hospital or receiving outpatient treatment for a permanent and total disability that is service-connected and will soon be discharged.
If you are a veteran’s or service member’s child: Veteran Education Benefits
Except in certain circumstances, you can receive benefits if you are between the ages of 18 and 26. You could be married or single.
You will not receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from DEA if you are over the age of 18.
You cannot use this benefit if you join the military and are on active duty. You also can’t have a dishonorable discharge if you want to use this benefit after you leave the military. Military service can increase your eligibility, but it usually does not extend past your 31st birthday.
If You are the Spouse of a Veteran or Active-Duty Service Member: Veteran Education Benefits
- Your benefits begin on the date they determine you qualify or on the date the Veteran dies and last for ten years.
- If they rated the Veteran as permanently disabled, with an effective date of three years after discharge from active duty, they would be eligible for benefits for the next 20 years. This new policy went into effect on October 10, 2008. They will not pay benefits for training that began before this date.
- If the service member passes away while on active duty, they will terminate the benefits 20 years after death.
What Veteran Education Benefits Can You Get?
You will receive a monthly payment to assist you in covering the costs of:
- Degree programs at the undergraduate or graduate levels
- Certificate programs for career advancement
- Educational and career guidance
- Apprenticeships
- On-the-job education
Veteran Education Benefits In a Nutshell
Veteran Education Benefits With Healthier Veterans Today! Other programs and assistance may be available to you. The military may prescribe special restorative training to assist you in overcoming or reducing the effects of a physical or mental disability so that you can pursue your educational or training goals. They may also approve any special vocational training you require due to a physical or mental disability. These additional benefits do not cover medical or psychiatric care.
