GI Bill ® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Post-9/11 GI Bill ® – Chapter 33
Service members and veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001 for at least 90 aggregate days and have been honorably discharged; or be honorably discharged for a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days from this date. Benefits are determined based upon active duty time served after September 10, 2001 If qualified under more than one education benefit program, an irrevocable election must be made to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®. Benefits end 15 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. Maximum entitlement is 36 months of educational assistance.
Montgomery GI Bill ® (Active Duty) – Chapter 30
Veteran entered or active military service after July 1, 1985. In order to be eligible, veteran must have contributed $1,200 and have and honorable discharge.
-OR-
Veteran entered service before January 1, 1977 and had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era GI Bill ® on December 31, 1989, served on active duty between October 19, 1984 and July 1, 1985 and continued to serve on active duty to July 1, 1988 or to July 1, 1987 followed by four years in the Selected Reserve. Benefits end 10 years from separation date. Maximum entitlement is 36 months of educational assistance.
Montgomery GI Bill ® (Selected Reserve) – Chapter 1606
Reservists who have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985 (an additional six years if you are an officer) and have a high school diploma or GED are eligible for up to 36 months of educational assistance. Benefits end 10 years from date of eligibility or date of separation, whichever comes first.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
Members of a reserve component who serve on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under Title 10 U.S. Code for a contingency operation and who serves at least 90 consecutive days or more is eligible for up to 36 months of educational assistance. National Guard members are also eligible if their active duty is under section 502 (f) title 32 U.S.C and they serve for 90 consecutive days when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency and is supported by federal funds. Benefits end with date of separation.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
Veteran must have a service- connected disability that is rated at least 20% disabling (10% disability may also be found eligible if a serious employment handicap exists), separation under other than dishonorable conditions, and rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap is necessary. Benefits end 12 years form separation date. Maximum entitlement is 48 months of educational assistance.
Dependent’s Educational Assistance – Chapter 35
A spouse or widow who has not remarried and children between the ages of 18 and 26 of a veteran whose death or permanent and total disability (100%) is service connected, or who has been listed MIA or POW for a period of 90 days, is eligible for VA education benefits. Benefits end 10 years from the date the individual is found eligible or from the date of death of the veteran. Maximum entitlement is 45 months of educational assistance.
Veterans Education Assistance Program – Chapter 32
Veteran entered active military service on or after January 1, 1977 and before July 1, 1985, served for a continuous period of 181 days or more; had an other than honorable discharge, and contributed to the matching fund program.
Benefits end 10 years from separation date. If found eligible, you may receive up to 36 months of educational assistance depending on the number of months you contributed.
Post-9/11 Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)
DOD offers members of the Armed Forces on or after August 1, 2009, the opportunity to transfer Chapter 33 benefits to their spouse or dependent children. If a member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve) serves 6 years and reenlists for 4 more years or has at least 10 years of service, then transfer of entitlement (TOE) is possible. DOD and the military services must approve all requests for this benefit. NOTE: After separating from the Armed Forces, individuals cannot designate new dependents to receive transferred entitlement or amend the effective date of the initial transfer of entitlement to an earlier date.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
This scholarship provides Post-911 GI Bill ® benefits to the children and surviving spouses of Service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level. A child may begin an approved program of education before the age of 18 and eligibility ends on the child’s 33rd birthday. A surviving spouse can receive benefits for terms beginning on or after January 1, 2015. A surviving spouse’s eligibility generally ends 15 years after the Service member’s death.