An Overview of Veterans educational benefits through the VA
An Overview of Veterans educational benefits through the VA
Transcript
There are several programs through which veterans can access educational benefits through the VA. The most common one is the post 9/11 G.I. Bill, sometimes referred to as Chapter 33 which was passed by Congress in 2008 and updated through the Forever GI Bill in 2017.
Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits are available to veterans with at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10th, 2001, or to veterans who served at least 30 days on active duty and were discharged due to a service connected disability.
A veteran awarded a Purple Heart for service on or after September 11, 2001 is also eligible. Benefit eligibility is based primarily on the length of service and can range from 40% through 100%. Veterans with a disability discharge and Purple Heart awardees are 100% eligible.
The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides for 36 months of benefits, typically four academic years, and covers full tuition and fees at a public school at the in-state rate. At a private or foreign school, the benefit is capped at the national private school maximum rate, which is adjusted every year.
For veterans attending a private school or a public school as an out-of-state student, the Yellow Ribbon Program may provide additional benefits.
Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, a school makes a contribution towards tuition and fees above what is covered by the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. And the VA matches that contribution.
Not everyone is eligible, only veterans with 100% eligibility, attending schools that participate in the program and have not yet offered the benefit to the maximum number of students as determined by the school.
Each school designates the amount of this contribution and how many veterans are eligible. Schools that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program can be searched through the VA website. The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides benefits on top of tuition and fees. For example, there is an annual stipend for books and supplies.
And one of the most important additional benefits is the Monthly Housing Allowance, also referred to as Basic Allowance for Housing. The exact amount of the MHRA benefit is based on the veteran's eligibility percentage, the location of the school, and the number of credits the student registers for.
It is important to note that the MHA is paid only for the days that the student is registered and so is not available between semesters. The Edith Norse Rodgers Science Technology Engineering Math, or STEM scholarship, provides up to nine months of additional Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits up to a maximum of $30,000 to qualifying veterans seeking an undergraduate STEM degree or who have earned a STEM degree and are seeking a teaching certification. The Yellow Ribbon Program may not be used with this extension.
Another important benefit program offered through the VA is the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, also known as VOC rehab or Chapter 31. VOC Rehab is aimed at assisting veterans with job training and other services with an eye towards employment or entrepreneurship.
College courses and/or a degree may be part of the VOC Rehab plan. Veterans with the service connected disability rating of 10% or higher are eligible to apply for VOC Rehab.
Once approved as eligible the service member or veteran meets with a vocational rehabilitation counselor and establishes their educational goal and develops a plan of services. This plan may involve attending an institution of higher education.
VOC rehab provides for 48 months of benefits but can be extended in certain instances. Covered expenses connected with attending college or university include tuition and fees, books, and supplies, equipment, and special services needed by the veteran.
They will also pay a monthly Subsistence Allowance to help with living expenses. Veterans who are also eligible for Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits can receive the BAH rate instead of the subsistence allowance.
Many veterans who are eligible for both Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and VOC Rehab benefits are drawn to VOC Rehab because the benefits last longer and can cover more.
However, the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill covers any school that the veteran chooses to attend while expenses for education under VOC Rehab must be approved by the VRC who may require the veteran to attend a less expensive school or deny benefits that are not directly connected with the vocational plan.
It is also worth noting that any change in the educational program must be approved by the VRC, including transferring, attending a four year school after obtaining a two year degree, or attending graduate school after receiving a bachelor's degree.
Veterans should consult with experts in these benefit programs before making a decision about which one best supports their goals.
A small but important educational benefit offered by the VA is tutoring assistance, which provides up to $100 reimbursement for tutoring expenses per month.
This benefit is available to veterans seeking VA educational aid who are enrolled half time or more and requires a letter from a course instructor to the School Certifying Official stating the need for a tutor.
There are other educational assistance programs offered by the VA. For example, the Montgomery GI Bill provides benefits for active duty and selected reserves.
And the Veteran's Educational Program, VEAP, allows active service members to contribute a portion of their military pay into an account that can be used to fund education later on.
More details on all of these programs and others can be found at the VA website. Other resources for information include the School Certifying Official, the financial aid office, and/or the veteran's center at a college or University.
Note, it can take some time for a veteran to activate their benefits. Doing so as early as possible will show exactly what benefits are available.
Note that activating can be done before separation from the military and a School Certifying Official can help veterans activate their benefits.
Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits are available to veterans with at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10th, 2001, or to veterans who served at least 30 days on active duty and were discharged due to a service connected disability.
A veteran awarded a Purple Heart for service on or after September 11, 2001 is also eligible. Benefit eligibility is based primarily on the length of service and can range from 40% through 100%. Veterans with a disability discharge and Purple Heart awardees are 100% eligible.
The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides for 36 months of benefits, typically four academic years, and covers full tuition and fees at a public school at the in-state rate. At a private or foreign school, the benefit is capped at the national private school maximum rate, which is adjusted every year.
For veterans attending a private school or a public school as an out-of-state student, the Yellow Ribbon Program may provide additional benefits.
Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, a school makes a contribution towards tuition and fees above what is covered by the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. And the VA matches that contribution.
Not everyone is eligible, only veterans with 100% eligibility, attending schools that participate in the program and have not yet offered the benefit to the maximum number of students as determined by the school.
Each school designates the amount of this contribution and how many veterans are eligible. Schools that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program can be searched through the VA website. The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides benefits on top of tuition and fees. For example, there is an annual stipend for books and supplies.
And one of the most important additional benefits is the Monthly Housing Allowance, also referred to as Basic Allowance for Housing. The exact amount of the MHRA benefit is based on the veteran's eligibility percentage, the location of the school, and the number of credits the student registers for.
It is important to note that the MHA is paid only for the days that the student is registered and so is not available between semesters. The Edith Norse Rodgers Science Technology Engineering Math, or STEM scholarship, provides up to nine months of additional Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits up to a maximum of $30,000 to qualifying veterans seeking an undergraduate STEM degree or who have earned a STEM degree and are seeking a teaching certification. The Yellow Ribbon Program may not be used with this extension.
Another important benefit program offered through the VA is the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, also known as VOC rehab or Chapter 31. VOC Rehab is aimed at assisting veterans with job training and other services with an eye towards employment or entrepreneurship.
College courses and/or a degree may be part of the VOC Rehab plan. Veterans with the service connected disability rating of 10% or higher are eligible to apply for VOC Rehab.
Once approved as eligible the service member or veteran meets with a vocational rehabilitation counselor and establishes their educational goal and develops a plan of services. This plan may involve attending an institution of higher education.
VOC rehab provides for 48 months of benefits but can be extended in certain instances. Covered expenses connected with attending college or university include tuition and fees, books, and supplies, equipment, and special services needed by the veteran.
They will also pay a monthly Subsistence Allowance to help with living expenses. Veterans who are also eligible for Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits can receive the BAH rate instead of the subsistence allowance.
Many veterans who are eligible for both Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and VOC Rehab benefits are drawn to VOC Rehab because the benefits last longer and can cover more.
However, the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill covers any school that the veteran chooses to attend while expenses for education under VOC Rehab must be approved by the VRC who may require the veteran to attend a less expensive school or deny benefits that are not directly connected with the vocational plan.
It is also worth noting that any change in the educational program must be approved by the VRC, including transferring, attending a four year school after obtaining a two year degree, or attending graduate school after receiving a bachelor's degree.
Veterans should consult with experts in these benefit programs before making a decision about which one best supports their goals.
A small but important educational benefit offered by the VA is tutoring assistance, which provides up to $100 reimbursement for tutoring expenses per month.
This benefit is available to veterans seeking VA educational aid who are enrolled half time or more and requires a letter from a course instructor to the School Certifying Official stating the need for a tutor.
There are other educational assistance programs offered by the VA. For example, the Montgomery GI Bill provides benefits for active duty and selected reserves.
And the Veteran's Educational Program, VEAP, allows active service members to contribute a portion of their military pay into an account that can be used to fund education later on.
More details on all of these programs and others can be found at the VA website. Other resources for information include the School Certifying Official, the financial aid office, and/or the veteran's center at a college or University.
Note, it can take some time for a veteran to activate their benefits. Doing so as early as possible will show exactly what benefits are available.
Note that activating can be done before separation from the military and a School Certifying Official can help veterans activate their benefits.