VA Education Benefit Programs

Active Duty and Veterans

Post 9-11 GI Bill® - Chapter 33

  • Provides up to 36 months of education benefits, payable up to 15 years from release from active duty
  • Eligibility is based on the length of active duty service after September 10, 2001
  • This benefit pays tuition and fee charges directly to the college you choose to attend
  • You will receive a stipend for books and supplies, up to $1000 per fiscal year (August 1 – July 31)
  • If not on active duty, a monthly housing stipend will be paid to you based on your enrollment per semester
  • Click here for more information regarding Chapter 33 Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty – Chapter 30

  • Provides up to 36 months of education benefits to Veterans and Service Members who have at least two years of active duty
  • The benefit is paid to the student directly via a monthly stipend. The amount of the stipend depends on your college program of study and enrollment each semester or term
  • This benefit does not pay the school directly; therefore, the student is responsible for having a method of payment to cover the cost of attendance.
    • Note: Students may be eligible for Advance Pay when using this benefit.
  • Click here for more information regarding Chapter 30 Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve - Chapter 1606

  • Eligible members of the Selected Reserve may receive up to 36 months of education benefits
  • The benefit is paid to the student directly via a monthly stipend. The amount of the stipend depends on your college program of study and enrollment each semester or term
  • This benefit does not pay the school directly; therefore, the student is responsible for having a method of payment to cover the cost of attendance
    • Note: Students may be eligible for Advance Pay when using this benefit.
  • Click here for more information regarding Chapter 1606 Benefits

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment - Chapter 31

  • This benefit helps Veterans and Service members with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable careers
  • If approved to receive this benefit, tuition, and fees will be paid in full, and a voucher will be provided for books and supplies
  • Click here for more information regarding Chapter 31 Benefits

Spouses and Dependents:

Post 9-11 Gi Bill® Transfer of Entitlement - Chapter 33

  • Active duty service members, based on approval by the Department of Defense, may transfer all or a portion of his/her unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his/her spouse and dependents
  • This benefit pays tuition and fee charges directly to the college you choose to attend
    • You will receive a stipend for books and supplies, up to $1000 per fiscal year (August 1 – July 31)
  • Spouses of Active Duty Service Members are not eligible for the monthly housing stipend
  • Dependents will be considered eligible for the monthly housing stipend
  • Click here for more information regarding the Chapter 33 TOE Benefit

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

  • The Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of Service Members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001
  • May be eligible to receive 100% of the benefits up to 36 months
  • This benefit pays tuition and fee charges directly to the college you choose to attend
  • You will receive a stipend for books and supplies, up to $1000 per fiscal year (August 1 – July 31)
  • A monthly housing stipend will be paid to you based on your enrollment per semester
  • Click here for more information regarding the Fry Scholarship

Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program – Chapter 35

  • This benefit offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition
  • If eligible, the benefit is paid to the student directly via a monthly stipend. The amount of the stipend depends on your college program of study and enrollment each semester or term
  • This benefit does not pay the school directly; therefore, the student is responsible for having a method of payment to cover the cost of attendance
    • Note: Students may be eligible for Advance Pay when using this benefit.
  • Click here for more information regarding Chapter 35 Benefits

Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program

  • This benefit is offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • VMSDEP provides education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90% disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict
  • Click here for more information regarding the VMSDEP Program

Additional VA Education Benefit Programs:

Work-Study Program

The VA Work-Study Program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarters time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans’ office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, whichever is greater.

Test Fees

The GI Bill® can also assist with the cost of certain tests needed for licensing, certifications, and national testing. For any test taken prior to August 1, 2018, if the VA paid you back for testing under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, the VA will charge at least a month of entitlement pay. For any test taken after August 1, 2018, the VA will prorate the entitlement charges under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test. Click here for more information.

Tuition Assistance Top UP

Available to MGIB-AD

On October 30, 2000, the President signed into law an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty education program that permits VA to pay a Tuition Assistance Top-Up benefit. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.

Tutorial Assistance Program

Tutorial assistance is available if you are receiving VA educational assistance at half-time or more rates and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. If you’re using the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB), you can get up to $600 before we charge your benefits. If you’re using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), we won’t charge your GI Bill® benefits.

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 Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.