Types of Veterans' Benefits

Chapter 30

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB) General or Detailed Information
The MGIB 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 under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Chapter 1606

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) General or Detailed Information
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you 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 National Guard and the 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 be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 35

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA) General or Detailed Information
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Chapter 33

Post 9/11 GI Bill – Active duty service performed after September 10, 2001 General or Detailed Information
This is a new program that usually 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 under certain circumstances. Individuals will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from the date of their last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 continuous days. This benefit provides cost of tuition and fees not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition in the state you are attending, based on the percentage of eligibility (percentage level range from 40%-100%). It also provide monthly housing allowance payable to an E5 with dependents and yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year.
For additional information regarding education benefits, please visit www.gibill.va.gov.

Chapter 31

What is the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program?
This program's primary function is to help veterans who have service-connected disabilities to become employed and to maintain suitable employment. Services that can be provided through the VR&E program include:

Vocational counseling and planning
Assistance finding and keeping a job, including special employer incentives
If needed, training such as on-the-job training, non-paid work experiences
If needed, educational training such as 2- or 4- year degree programs
Supportive rehabilitation services and additional counseling

Who is Eligible for VR&E Services?
To receive an evaluation for vocational rehabilitation services, a veteran must:

Have received, or will receive, an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge;
Have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more;
Apply for vocational rehabilitation services
The law provides for a 12 year basic period of eligibility in which services may be used
The 12 year period begins on the latter of these dates: Date of separation from active military duty or the date the veteran was first notified of a service connected disability rating
If entitled to Vocational Rehabilitation, the law provides for a maximum of 48 months of services

What happens after Eligibility is established?

A Comprehensive Evaluation is completed with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor that includes:
A full assessment of the veteran's interests, aptitudes, and abilities to establish whether the veteran is "entitled" to VR&E services.
An assessment of whether service connected disabilities impair the veteran's ability to find and/or hold a job using the occupational skills already attained
A needs assessment to develop a plan to help the veteran ready to get and hold a job