Introduction to Veterans Education

Here is a short overview of benefits available for veterans seeking to further their education. Additional information can be found at the US Department of Veterans Affairs or by calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). Veterans may also apply online.

Post 9/11 GI Bill

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a new education benefit program for service members and veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Benefits are available for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date. Other programs that fall under this benefit is the Transfer of Entitlement Program, The Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program and the Work-Study Program. Scholarship money is also available through the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship Program.

Montgomery GI Bill

VA education benefits may be used while the service member is on active duty or after the service member separates with a fully honorable military discharge. Eligibility generally expires 10 years after the servicemen discharge but there are some exceptions for disability, re-entering active duty or an upgraded discharge. Montgomery GI Bill candidates fall into 4 categories:

Category 1: Service after June 30, 1985
Category 2: Vietnam Era GI Bill Conversion
Category 3: Involuntary Separation?Special Separation
Category 4: Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The VetSuccess program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VetSuccess offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

We have included this link to the VA webpage to enroll in this program.

VOW to Hire Heroes 2011 - Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012.

The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who:

• Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old
• Are unemployed on the date of application
• Received an other than dishonorable discharge
• Are not eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance)
• Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability
• Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program

The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.
Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation.

See additional application information and a list of high demand jobs.