There are many things for veterans to consider before choosing which benefit to receive and whether to participate in the Active-Duty or Reserve GI Bill® programs.
There are several types of training that can be taken using the Montgomery GI Bill® benefits. These include college (undergraduate, graduate), certificate programs, on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, flight training, and non-college degree courses.
For the Post 9/11 GI Bill® training, please explore the VA Road Map To Success.
Amount of Benefits Offered Under Each Program
The amount of benefits and the money a veteran will receive is a very important factors to consider before selecting a benefit. While some veterans may receive more money under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, that is not always the case. The Post- 9/11 benefits are paid on a percentage basis, which is determined by the length of active duty service since September 11, 2001.
Under all other GI Bill® programs, veterans will receive a monthly payment at a rate set by Congress that does not vary based on expenses. A more exact breakdown for each benefit and level of enrollment:
Other Factors to Consider
- In some locations, the costs of college and housing (which veterans receive payment for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®) are less than the payment received under the Montgomery GI Bill®.
- Individuals eligible for a college fund under other GI Bill® programs will continue to receive their college funds, as before, unless they are attending classes at half-time or less.
- Veterans who participated in the $600 buy-up under the Montgomery GI Bill® or REAP will not receive the additional benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
Additional Veterans Educational Assistance Programs
The Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act signed into law on June 30, 2008, took effect on August 1, 2009. The new chapter provides up to 36 months of educational benefits for qualifying veterans. A veteran who has served a total of at least 90 consecutive days on active duty in the Armed Forces since September 11, 2001, is eligible. However, the number of benefits received under the program is determined by the actual amount of accumulated post-9/11 services. To be eligible for the full benefit, a veteran must have three years of active duty after 9/11 or have been discharged due to service-connected duty.
Service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program will be able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children starting August 1, 2009.
The MGIB-AD program provides up to 36 months of education 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. Benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty.
The MGIB-SR program may be available to those who are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army and Air National Guard. 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 also be approved under certain circumstances.
REAP (Chapter 1607) is an educational program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called to active service.
VEAP (Chapter 32) is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. 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.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance provide education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. Also, Veteran Readiness and Employment provides vocational-educational counseling to veterans and certain dependents. VR&E can provide a wide range of vocational and educational counseling services to service members still on active duty, as well as veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of the VA’s educational benefit programs.
The Tuition Assistance (TA) Program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty civilian education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. TA is a Public Law that is implemented by Department of Defense (DoD) Directive and DoD Instruction, and all Soldiers (officers, warrant officers, enlisted) on active duty, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers on active duty (pursuant to U.S. Code Title 10 or Title 32), and TPU Soldiers are authorized to participate in the TA program.
Return of unearned tuition assistance (TA) funds for active military:
Proportional Basis: Any student who completed registration and finds it necessary to cancel it may do so by going to the Admissions and Records Office or by dropping the course on Workday.
100% Refund: For a full refund of fees paid, this must be done during the published drop/add period of the academic calendar; otherwise, it will be treated as a withdrawal even if the student has not attended any classes. Classes treated as withdrawals do not receive a refund of fees paid.
Return of funds Policy: The amount of TA received will be multiplied by the percentage of the term completed to determine the total earned. The total aid earned will be subtracted by the total TA awarded resulting in the amount of unearned TA. The cost of tuition must be returned to the TA program, and the student in turn incurs a financial obligation to the college. The student must repay the college within 45 days of the day the school notifies him or her of the overpayment.
If a student veteran withdrawals after completing 20 percent of the term, only 20 percent of the total award has been earned. Eighty percent of the total TA award is unearned and must be repaid and refunded to the TA Program. ($250.00 x 80% = $200.00 unearned TA)
- 100% refund of TA if student veteran drops during the published add/drop period of the academic calendar.
- 100% refund of TA if the student has an incapacitating illness (physical or psychological) or injury to the student veteran.
- 100% refund of TA due to the death of student veteran.
- 100% refund of TA if the student veteran receives military orders and report date after the refund deadline and prior to the withdrawal deadline.
- Documentation must show proof of the above mitigating circumstances.
TSC Refund Projection for TA Students Only:
Additional Resources:
Veterans Affairs
Veterans Success Center
Credits for Military Credits
The Federal Work-Study Program offers employment to those attending a college or university.
Students must be:
- Enrolled at least three-quarters time (9-11 credit hours)
- Pursuing a program of education or training under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 1606 or 1607
It is the student’s responsibility to locate an approved Veterans Affairs Office. A job list is available in the TSC Veterans Success Center.
The monetary allowance is equal to the prevailing Federal minimum wage and is non-taxable.
Monthly Attendance Verification
Monthly attendance verification is required for Chapter 33, Chapter 30, and Chapter 1606/1607. Veterans must verify their monthly enrollment before the next GI Bill® payment will be issued.
Students must verify their attendance on the last day of the month
For Chapter 33:
Call the toll-free number and follow the instructions: (888) 442-4551 or opt-in via text message
Students must verify their attendance on the last day of the month
For Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606/1607:
Call the toll-free number and follow the instructions: (877) 823-2378
Visiting the VA website and selecting the link: Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE)
The verification is complete when the system indicates that the student is certified.
Recertification
To continue receiving VA Education Benefits, qualifying enrolled students must submit the "Request for Certification of VA Educational Benefits" form for each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) enrolled. This form can be found in Workday under the Student Finance Hub, TSC College Forms > Financial Aid.
Money Saving Tips
Veterans should have all official transcripts from previous colleges and service branches sent to TSC's Office of Admissions and Records for evaluation, before beginning any classes. Many students waste valuable time and money taking classes that are unnecessary duplications of previous courses because they sign up before their military and prior college transcripts are completely evaluated.