Veteran Benefits

For information about education benefits and an interactive comparison tool, please visit https://www.vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.

GI Bill® Education Hotline

You can speak to a VA education benefit customer services representative by calling 888-GIBILL1 (888-442-4551). The Education Hotline is open between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday.

‘‘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."

Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

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.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally payable for 15 years following your active duty release. The 15-year time limitation for using Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits is eliminated for Veterans who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013, and qualifying dependents (Fry Scholarship children who became eligible on or after January 1, 2013, and all Fry Scholarship spouses).

Based on your entitlement percent, tuition and fees are paid directly to the school for all public school in-state students. There may be some non-standard fees that the VA will not cover (e.g. parking fee). You are responsible for any amount not paid by the V.A

The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® allows Service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The request to transfer unused GI Bill® benefits to eligible dependents must be completed while serving as an active member of the Armed Forces. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries must apply for them HERE.

  • Your spouse
  • One or more of your children
  • Any combination of spouse or child

Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred benefits.

Eligible Service members may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years, depending on the situation.

Students receiving benefits under Chapters 30 are required to verify enrollment every month by either calling 1 (877) 823-2378 or going to the WAVE system.

The MGIB-SR program provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including 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. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components and V.A. makes the payments.

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits if you:

  • Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990.
  • Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT).
  • Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement.
  • Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB-SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.

Your eligibility for the program normally ends the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

Students receiving benefits under Chapters 1606 are required to verify enrollment every month by either calling 1 (877) 823-2378 or going to the WAVE system.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (D.E.A.) program, also called Chapter 35, 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. The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (D.E.A.) 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.

You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:

  • A Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a serviceconnected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the armed forces.
  • A Veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
  • A Service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
  • A Service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
  • A Service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities for dependents:

The State of Florida has a Scholarship for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans. The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides an award to dependent children or unmarried spouses of qualified Florida veterans. Information regarding eligibility requirements and how to apply can be found HERE.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)

Eligible Veterans and Service members may apply for either Veteran Readiness and Employment (previously known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) benefits or for Education/Career Counseling online through eBenefits. It’s simple to apply. Just follow these steps:

  • Log in to your eBenefits account
  • Select “Additional Benefits” from your Dashboard
  • Select “Veteran Readiness and Employment Program” - be sure to read the program information and to update your contact information - and apply for either the “Veteran Readiness and Employment Program” or “Education/Career Counseling”
  • If it is determined that you are eligible, you will be invited to attend an orientation session, in-person, at the nearest V.A. Regional Office
  • Service members who have a disability that began or became worse during active duty and who have not yet received a service-connected disability (S.C.D.) rating do not need to wait to apply. See VA Form 28-0588 for further instructions

For Service members: Ill or injured Service members who have not yet received a S.C.D. rating do not need to wait to apply. Service members expecting a discharge that is other than dishonorable who possess a V.A. memorandum or Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) rating of 20 percent or more-as well as Service members currently going through a Physical Evaluation Board-may be eligible to receive Veteran Readiness and Employment services.

*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.