Veterans Educational Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers many benefits to advance the education and skills of Veterans and service members. Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance.

Visit https://www.vets.gov to apply and obtain your obtain a Certification of Eligibility (COE)/Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from the VA.

Certain beneficiaries must also submit monthly attendance certification to the VA. Chapter 30, 1606, 1607 submit monthly on the WAVE site.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding.

Eligibility Requirements

Application Process

The Yellow Ribbon Program

The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Act of 2008 program provides up to 36 months of educational 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 15 years following your release from active duty.

  • Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school);
  • Monthly housing allowance* equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you);
  • Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid to you); and a onetime payment of $500 paid to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas.

*Note: The housing allowance and books and supplies stipend are not payable to individuals on active duty. The housing allowance is not payable to those pursuing training at half time or less or to individuals enrolled in distance learning. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs (i.e. 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607). Veterans who have eligibility under these other GI Bill® programs should contact the Veterans Office before you apply for the new GI Bill®. In some cases it might be better to retain your old GI Bill®. Once you elect the new GI Bill® the decision is irrevocable.

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Rates, 2019-2020 Academic Year

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who have died while on active duty or as the result of a service connected disability or is 100% permanently and totally disabled for service-related reasons as the result of their military service. 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.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

Vocational Rehabilitation is for disabled veterans. Veterans rated at 30% or more service connected disability go through a testing process to determine if they are eligible. If eligible the VA sends the school Certifying Official an Authorization. Full tuition, fees, books and supplies are paid by the VA to the school. The mission of is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs.

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)

MGIB-SR program provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including 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. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components and VA makes the payments.

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Assistance may be used for college degree and certificate programs, co-op training, technical or vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, certain entrance examinations, and correspondence courses.

Montgomery GI Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)