Education Benefits

The VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) program, also known as Chapter 31, helps veterans with service-connected disabilities by offering them services and assistance to help them prepare for, find and keep suitable employment. As part of these services, veterans may qualify for educational benefits.

Chapter 31 educational benefits range from on-the-job training to formal training at Applied Technology Centers, Community Colleges and Universities. Veterans who qualify for services may receive up to 48 months of training benefits.  To find out more information about whether or not you qualify for Chapter 31 benefits, you should contact the VA Regional Office in Salt Lake City by calling 1-800-827-1000 or  (801) 326-2431.

This program is available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Under Chapter 30, Active Duty members enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months; and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation. Benefits under this program are generally payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.  For more information click here.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also offers some service member the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill® to dependents.

NOTE: Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) recipients cannot combine Tuition Waivers (i.e.: Purple Heart waiver)  or Tuition Assistance (i.e.: Goarmyed) to create a surplus of funds (tuition and fees paid over 100%).  If a waiver and Chapter 33 are combined and pay more than a 100% of the tuition and fees, funds will be distributed back to the sponsors-not to the student. This does not include Financial Aid (i.e.: Pell Grants) that can be used for items other than tuition and fees.  Pell Grants and student loans can be sent to the student if a surplus is created.

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

This program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to those who are actively drilling members of the Selected Reserve or National Guard. As long as you are actively drilling, benefits are generally payable for 14 years after you are determined eligible.

Chapter 1607 is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.