Veterans Education Benefits

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the newest sibling in the GI Bill family. Minimum eligibility for this version of the GI Bill starts with at least 90-days of active duty service on or after September 11, 2001. Full benefit eligibility is earned at three years of service. Also, thirty days of service, with a service-connected disability may qualify individuals for New GI Bill benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill uses a tiered payment structure to determine how much a veteran will receive. The longer one serves, the higher the benefit pay-out is--up to the maximum available benefits. Under the tier structure, the VA pays a percentage of the veteran's tuition and fees directly to his or her school, up to a pre-determined maximum amount. (The maximum pay-out is generally equal to the highest public school tuition rate in the state where the veteran attends school). Veterans also receive a percentage of a monthly housing allowance and book stipend to help cover the costs of attending school that are above and beyond tuition. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers additional benefits such as:

• The Yellow Ribbon Program
• A relocation allowance
• A dependent benefits transfer option

While the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a great benefit for some veterans, it isn't for everyone. The New GI Bill is a bit more restrictive that the Montgomery GI Bill in the programs it covers. Veterans who qualify and may want to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill include those planning to take:

• Degree-oriented college courses--on-campus or online
• Trade or technical programs offered through institutions of higher learning
• A license or certification test

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) has 24 and 36-month active duty requirements before benefits can be paid out. Also, a $1,200 contribution must be made by the servicemember while on active duty. In return, the MGIB pays a fixed monthly amount to the veteran for up to 36 months, depending on his or her length of service. MGIB benefits expire 10 years after the veteran's date of discharge--and it's important to note that if benefits expire, the initial $1,200 contribution is lost.

With a wider scope of coverage than the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the MGIB can be used to take:

• Technical, trade, college or business courses
• Correspondence courses
• Certification or license training and tests
• Apprenticeships/on-the-job training
• Flight training

Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)

Military personnel who entered the armed forces between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 had the option of enrolling in VEAP (Chapter 32). This program allowed soldiers to make contributions to their account which were then matched two to one by the government. In other words, for each dollar a servicemember contributed, prior to April 1, 1987, the government matched it with two dollars. VEAP participants are eligible for one to 36 months of benefits depending on the length of service and number of contributions.

Unlike the MGIB, if one doesn't use his or her VEAP funds within 10 years of discharge, the initial contribution can be returned (but not the portion that was matched by the government). VEAP covers the same programs as the MGIB, and in some cases, veterans may elect to convert VEAP funds to the MGIB.

State Veteran Education Benefits

All the states and three territories offer their veteran citizens or families some type of benefit. Depending on the state/territory, benefits can range from:

• High school diplomas for WWII and Korean veterans
• Vietnam veteran education scholarships
• Free or reduced tuition
• Dependents' scholarships

To see what one's state has available to its veterans, check the state's Veterans Affairs Website. Veterans earned their military benefits; now is the time to use them.