The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. The VA makes the payments for this program.
The GI Bill® has several programs, depending on a person’s eligibility and duty status, including:
The Montgomery GI Bill® program (MGIB) 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. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.
- Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) For active duty members who 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.
If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.
If you have eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and any other GI Bill® program you must make an irrevocable election of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® before you can receive any benefits.
Check the GI Bill® Comparison Tool to see which option is best for you.
Post 9/11 GI Bill® transfer of entitlement
The Yellow Ribbon Program helps students pay for higher out-of state, private, or graduate school tuition not covered by the GI Bill®. Find out if the school you’re interested in is part of this program.
GI BILL® HOTLINE: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)
To learn more about all education benefits, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
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://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.
The GI Bill® is a Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit earned by members of Active Duty, Selected Reserve and National Guard Armed Forces, and their dependents. The benefit is designed to help servicemembers and eligible veterans cover the costs associated with getting an education or training. The GI Bill® has several programs, depending on a person’s eligibility and duty status, including:
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty while on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible beneficiaries attending school may receive up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.
NOTE: Fry Scholarship beneficiaries are not eligible for Yellow Ribbon Program benefits.
The Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. If you use DEA benefits to pay for school or training that started before August 1, 2018, you may be able to get benefits for up to 45 months. If you started your school or training on or after August 1, 2018, you may be able to get benefits for up to 36 months. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.
Some other programs that offer financial assistance:
APPLY ONLINE
Go to the VA Veterans Application website to submit your application.
You will need to create a login and password in order to complete this process.
If you have trouble with the application process, you can call a VA Education
Case Manager (1-888-442-4551 [GIBill1]) to ask for help.
How to apply:
- For Active Duty, submit VA Form 22-1990,
Application for VA Education Benefits.
- For Reserve and National Guard, a DD Form 2384-1,
Notice of Basic Eligibility, may be required.
- Contact your educational institution.
*If you have started training, take your application and your
Notice of Basic Eligibility to your school or employer. Ask them
to complete VA Form 22-1999, (not available online) Enrollment
Certification, and send all the forms to VA.
PAPER APPLICATION
- For Active Duty, submit VA Form 22-1990,
Application for VA Education Benefits.
- For dependents, use VA form 22-5490,
Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits.
Submit completed form(s) to:
VA Regional Processing Office
PO Box 8888
Muskogee, OK
74402-8888
You will need to send the application along with a copy of your
Certificate of Release of Discharge from the service (DD 214).
If you qualify for state or federal education benefits and payment
to the school is delayed, you may be eligible for a 60 day deferment
of tuition and fees to avoid late fees and being dropped.
Ask your school about their tuition deferment request
form for veterans.
GI BILL® HOTLINE: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)
To learn more about all education benefits, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the “Forever GI Bill®/Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act?”
The bill will allow more veterans to use the GI Bill® and more time to use it. Some of the changes will go into effect immediately, most will not. The majority of the changes enhance or expand education benefits for veterans, servicemembers, families, and survivors.
The new provisions that go into effect immediately include:
- The 15-year time limitation to use Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits is eliminated for veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013, children who became eligible for the Fry Scholarship on or after January 1, 2013, and all Fry scholarship eligible spouses.
- We are now authorized to restore benefits and provide relief to veterans affected by school closures or disapprovals.
- Reservists who had eligibility under the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) and lost it due to the program sunset provision will have that service credited toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill® program. We are in the process of identifying the approximately 2,800 Reservists affected by this and will send them letters with instructions.
- Certain work-study is permanently authorized; previously it had to be re-approved by Congress every few years.
- Anyone eligible for GI Bill® can use their benefits at an accredited independent study program at an area career and technical school, or a postsecondary vocational school providing postsecondary level education. There is no action for you to take here, as these programs will go through the normal course of approval by the appropriate State Approving Agency. Any new programs will be added to our GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
- The Vet Success on Campus program will be available to students across the country.
- VA will help veterans to more clearly identify schools that offer them priority enrollment.
- How can I find out which chapter of benefits is best for me at a specific school?
You may be eligible for several types of VA education and training benefits, but you have to consider several things before you apply for the GI Bill® program. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is the best option for some, but for other students it would be the Montgomery GI Bill®. To make things easier to decide which education and training benefits are best for you it is recommended to use the comparison tool at https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.
- How do I apply for GI Bill® benefits?
If you’re a servicemember, veteran, or family member interested in education and training opportunities, you can apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and manage your current VA benefits at: https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/.
- If I’m going to run out of Post 9/11 benefits before I finish with my degree, is there any additional assistance I can receive?
Yes, starting August 1, 2019 the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship will provide up to 9 months of additional assistance in designated areas. A student must apply for the scholarship and it is based on first come first serve. Information can be found in Sec 111 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.
- What benefits am I eligible for and how much do I have?
In order to see what you have remaining under any GI Bill® benefit, you can reach the VA at 1-888-442-4551. Depending on how long it has been since you last used your benefits, they may ask that you complete a new application for benefits. If so, that application can be found at https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/. If you have an ebenefits account, the website contains a “statement of benefits” for you which will also indicate how many months of benefits you have remaining.
- When using the Post 9/11 benefit is there a minimum or maximum amount of classes I can take?
No, there are no limitations on the number of hours a person can take during a semester or term. If attending a state public institution Post 9/11 will cover the tuition and fees. A student must take at least one hour over half time in order to receive any portion of the monthly BAH stipend.
- Can I transfer my GI Bill® to my spouse/dependents?
The option to transfer is open to any member of the armed forces active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, and meets the following criteria:
– Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the date of election.
– Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
– Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the armed forces. Additional details can be found at: https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/post911_transfer.asp
- How can I appeal a debt letter I received from the VA?
Regarding an appeal with the DVA, you will need to follow the instructions located on the decision letter you received in order to file the appeal. For legal assistance, you may refer to the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV).
- Are there any other education benefits that I may qualify for other than the GI Bill®?
The State of Texas has an education benefit called the Texas Hazlewood Act.
- Are there any other scholarships available for veterans and their dependents?
Unfortunately, we do not have a list of every scholarship that may be available for veterans, dependents, and spouses of veterans; however, you may be able to find information about scholarships by visiting the following link: http://www.texvet.org/scholarships.
- How would I file a compliant against my school?
Here is the link to filing a GI Bill® related complaint: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. Once you’ve completed and submitted this form, you may be contacted for additional information. Either the VA will investigate and/or they will assign it to our agency for follow-up. A visit may be conducted to address the issue(s) you submit for investigation. We recommend that you also follow the compliant procedures outlined by your school, which is typically found in the student handbook.
- Why do schools want transcripts from prior schools that I attended?
Transcripts have always been a requirement so that the school can show that they evaluated any prior credit and have granted it to you and to ensure that previous schools attended were paid. Usually, schools will grant a grace period to allow the student the opportunity to obtain all transcripts however the school you currently attend is correct in upholding the requirement to obtain them.
Specifically, the School Certifying Official Handbook states:
One of the criteria for approval of any school for Veterans’ training is that it review prior credit and grant credit as appropriate to a VA student’s current program. This is found in Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 21.4253(d)(3) and 21.4254(C)(4). In essence, this requires every approved school to have and enforce a policy with regard to transfer courses, credits, and previous experience.
- If I do not want to go to a college or university and I am unable to transfer my benefit to my dependents. Is there another way of using my GI Bill®?
You can use the GI Bill® benefits to cover a VA approved OJT or Apprenticeship program. More information on OJT/APP, including a list of currently approved programs, can be found at the following link: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp.
- If I’m receiving disability payments for my dependents from the VA, will I lose the payments once my dependents attend school?
If your child is using Post 9/11 benefits, no you should not receive a decrease in payment from the VA. If your dependent is using Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program CH.35, yes you should expect a decrease in your monthly payment from the VA because your dependent is now receiving educational assistance.
College Credit for Heroes, a partnership between TWC and THECB.