VA Chapters and Benefits
Your membership in the US armed forces may qualify you and your dependents for one or more of the Veterans Administration educational benefits. The service member/veteran educational programs are mandated under Titles 38, 32, and 10 of the US code. It is important for you to know which chapter you fall under so that you will know what benefits are available to you.
Montgomery GI Bill®
You may be eligible for benefits through one of our two Montgomery GI Bill programs. Chapter 30- Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) You can get benefits through MGIB-AD if you served at least 2 years on active duty and you meet all of these requirements. All of these must be true:
- You were honorably discharged, and
- You have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit, and
- You meet other requirements
Chapter 30 provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans. If you are currently in service, you may be eligible after 2 years of active duty. Those who entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, received a high school diploma or equivalent before the end of your first obligated period of service and received an honorable discharge may also be eligible. The amount awarded is based on the type of training you take, length of service, your category, and if DOD put extra money in your MGIB fund. You have about 10 years to use these benefits. For current full-time rates for those with three or more years of service and enrolled in an institutional program, please visit:
For more information: The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
You can get benefits through MGIB-SR if you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserves, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, and you meet all of these requirements. This statement must be true: You have either a six-year service obligation (you agreed to serve six years) in the Selected Service, or you’re an officer in the Selected Reserve who agreed to serve six years in addition to your initial service obligation, and you meet other requirements.
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Chapter 31 is a program designed to help veterans with service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or achieve independence in daily living. Services generally last up to 48 months and include counseling, education and training, financial aid, assistance, and, if needed, medical treatment.
Eligibility is available for:
-
- Those who served on or after September 16, 1940
- Those with service-connected disabilities who are rated at least 20% by the VA
- Those who need vocational rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap, and it has been less than 12 years since the VA notified you of your qualified SCD
For more information: Veteran Readiness and Employment.
Chapter 32: Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Chapter 32 is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The government matches your contributions on a 2-for-1 basis. You must have entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985.
For more information: Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
Chapter 33 provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for Chapter 33. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits and benefits can be transferred to dependents. Some of the benefits of the Post- 9/11 GI Bill go towards tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, books and supplies, and a one-time rural benefit payment. Individuals serving an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001.
To review percentages based on length of service, visit: Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Assistance
There are two main GI Bill programs offering education assistance to survivors and dependents of Veterans.
For more information: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA)
Chapter 1606: Reserve GI Bill®
Any person who enlists, re-enlists, or extends an enlistment in the Selective Reserve for not less than six years, in addition to any other period of obligation after June 30, 1985, and completed high school of GED, IADT, 180 days of service in the selective reserve and is satisfactorily participating in require training in the selective reserve.
For more information: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Chapter 1607: Activated Reservists After September 11, 2001
Certain reservists who were activated after September 11, 2001, may either be eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.
For more information: GI Bill Reserve Educational Assistance Program