Department of Veterans Affairs

SUMMARY OF

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

UNDER THE

MONTGOMERY GI BILL-ACTIVE DUTY

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

CHAPTER 30 OF TITLE 38 U. S. CODE

  --------------------------------- -------------------------------------
  **VA Pamphlet**                   **Veterans Benefits**

  **22-90-2, Revised**              **Administration**

  **February 2000**                 **Washington DC 20420**
  --------------------------------- -------------------------------------

SUBJECT

Introduction

Are You Eligible?

How Many Months of Benefits Can You Get?

How Is Entitlement Charged?

How Much Educational Assistance Will You Get?

How Long Are You Eligible?

What Training May You Take?

Are You Eligible for Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training?

Are You Eligible for Tutorial Assistance?

Are You Eligible for Work-Study?

Are There Restrictions on Training?

Can You Be Eligible for More than One Benefit?

Is Counseling Available?

Are You Eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation?

Can You Change Programs?

Must You Maintain Satisfactory Attendance, Conduct, and Progress?

What Must You Do to Qualify?

What Should You Do if You Disagree with a VA Decision?

How Do You Receive Monthly Payments?

What Should You Do if You Do Not Receive a Check or Verification Form?

May You Go Part-Time?

Can You Get an Advance Payment?

Can You Get Payments Sent Through Direct Deposit?

What Are Your Responsibilities?

What Happens if You Change Your Enrollment?

How Can You Prevent Overpayments?

What Happens if You Have an Overpayment?

Where to Go for Help

**INTRODUCTION**

**The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (chapter 30 of title 38, U. S.
Code) is an educational assistance program enacted by Congress to
attract high quality men and women into the Armed Forces. The program is
administered by VA (Department of Veterans Affairs). It provides
education and training opportunities to eligible persons.**

**This pamphlet provides a general description of the education
benefits. It includes information to help you understand how you receive
payments under the program. It offers suggestions on where to go for
help and how to get more detailed information.**

**The information may be of help to you in making a decision to enter
training. You should read the pamphlet carefully to understand the full
range of benefits available.**

**This pamphlet is a summary of the benefits available under this
program. Do not rely on it to determine if you are eligible for
education benefits. To receive a formal decision from VA, you must file
a claim for benefits.**

**ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?**

**You may be eligible for Chapter 30 benefits as a veteran or
serviceperson if your active duty is under one of the following
categories.**

**Category 1 - You entered active duty for the first time after June 30,
1985, and served continuously for three years.**

**However, only two years of active duty are required if:**

-   **You are now on active duty;**

-   **You first enlisted for two years of active duty; or**

-   **You have an obligation to serve four years in the Selected Reserve
    (the 2 by 4 program). You must enter the Selected Reserve within one
    year of your release from active duty.**

    **If you elect *not* to participate in this program, you may *not*
    change this decision at a later date *unless* you qualify under
    Category 3 below.**

    **You may also be eligible if:**

-   **You were on active duty between December 1, 1988, and June 30,
    1989;**

-   **You withdrew your election not to participate;**

-   **You had your military pay reduced by \$100 a month for 12 months;
    and**

-   **You completed the period of active duty you were obligated to
    serve on December 1, 1988. If you did not complete the period, your
    discharge must be for one of the reasons listed in the paragraph
    regarding Discharges and Separations.**

    **You must obtain a high school diploma or an equivalency
    certificate before your first period of active duty ends. Completing
    12 hours toward a college degree meets the requirement.**

    ***SPECIAL EXTENSION:* If you were on active duty on August 2, 1990,
    and were discharged without obtaining a high school diploma or an
    equivalency certificate, you may qualify if you received either
    document before October 28, 1994. Under this extension, you may
    *not* use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet the
    requirement.**

    **Category 2 - You had remaining entitlement under the Vietnam Era
    Veterans\' Educational Assistance program (chapter 34 of title
    38, U. S. Code) on December 31, 1989, you served on active duty for
    any number of days during the period October 19, 1984 to June 30,
    1985, and you continued on active duty without a break from July 1,
    1985 through:**

-   **June 30, 1988; or,**

-   **June 30, 1987, and you served four years in the Selected Reserve
    after release from active duty. You must have entered the Selected
    Reserve within one year of your release from active duty.**

    **You must have obtained a high school diploma or an equivalency
    certificate before December 31, 1989. Completing 12 hours toward a
    college degree meets the requirement.**

    **Category 3 - You may be eligible under Category 3 if you elected
    to participate in chapter 30 before being involuntarily separated.
    You may qualify:**

-   **If you were on active duty on September 30, 1990, and were
    involuntarily separated after February 2, 1991; or**

-   **If you were involuntarily separated on or after November 30,
    1993.**

    **You may also be eligible under Category 3 if you elected to
    participate in chapter 30 before being voluntarily separated under
    either the VSI (Voluntary Separation Incentive) or SSB (Special
    Separation Benefit) program.**

    **If you were eligible for the Post Vietnam Era Veterans\'
    Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, or chapter 32 of title
    38, U. S. Code), you must elect to receive benefits under chapter 30
    and apply for a refund of your contributions to VEAP.**

    **Under Category 3, you must have had your military pay reduced by
    \$1,200 before your discharge.**

    **You must have obtained a high school diploma or an equivalency
    certificate before you apply for benefits. Completing 12 hours
    toward a college degree meets the requirement.**

    ***NOTE:* If you qualify under Category 3 based on a voluntary or an
    involuntary separation, you will not be eligible for chapter 30
    while on active duty. Your eligibility will begin the day following
    your discharge.**

    **Category 4 - You may be eligible under Category 4 if you were on
    active duty on October 9, 1996 and you were a VEAP participant with
    money in the VEAP fund. To establish eligibility, you must have
    elected chapter 30 and paid \$1,200 by October 9, 1997. You may also
    be eligible under Category 4 if you served on full time active duty
    in the National Guard between June 30, 1985, and November 29, 1989.
    You must have elected to have your National Guard service count
    toward establishing eligibility for that benefit by July 9, 1997.**

    **DISCHARGES AND SEPARATIONS**

    **Your discharge must be \"honorable.\" Discharges \"under honorable
    conditions\" and \"general\" discharges do *not* establish
    eligibility for chapter 30.**

    **A discharge or release for one of the following reasons could
    result in a reduction of the required length of active duty:**

-   **Convenience of the government;**

-   **Disability;**

-   **Hardship;**

-   **A medical condition existing before service;**

-   **A medical condition that is not a disability or due to your
    misconduct but that interfered with your performance of duty; or**

-   **Certain reductions in force.**

    ***OTHER ISSUES***

    **You are not eligible under Categories 1 or 2 if you graduated from
    a service academy and received a commission after December 31,
    1976.**

    **You are not eligible under Categories 1 or 2 if you received a
    commission after completing an ROTC (Reserve Officers\' Training
    Corps) scholarship program after December 31, 1976. This scholarship
    pays a stipend *and* all educational expenses, i.e., tuition, fees,
    books, and supplies.**

    **If you are a graduate of an ROTC program, you may still be
    eligible for chapter 30 under one of the following conditions:**

-   **If you received a commission after becoming eligible for chapter
    30.**

-   **If you completed ROTC without a full scholarship.**

-   **If you received a commission after September 30, 1996. You must
    have received \$2,000 or less during each year of your ROTC
    program.**

    **The following types of active duty do *not* establish
    eligibility:**

-   **Time assigned by the military to a civilian institution to take
    the same course provided to civilians;**

-   **Time served as a cadet or midshipman at a service academy; or**

-   **Time spent on active duty for training in the National Guard or
    Reserve.**

    ***NOTE:* Time assigned by the military to a civilian institution
    and time served at a military or service academy does not break the
    *continuity* of active duty required to establish eligibility. Also,
    active duty for training does count toward the four years in the
    Selected Reserve under the 2 by 4 program.**

    **HOW MANY MONTHS OF BENEFITS CAN YOU GET?**

    **You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education
    benefits under this program after completing the *full* period of
    your enlistment. This applies if you were discharged for the
    convenience of the government after completing: 20 months of an
    enlistment of less than three years; or 30 months of an enlistment
    of three years or more.**

    **However, you will earn only one month of entitlement for each
    month of active duty after June 30, 1985, if you were discharged for
    other specific reasons before completing your enlistment period (for
    example, a discharge based on a service-connected disability, a
    medical condition pre-existing service, hardship, or a reduction in
    force).**

    **You may also earn one month of entitlement for each four months in
    the Selected Reserve after**

    **June 30, 1985.**

    **You may receive a maximum of 48 months of benefits under more than
    one VA education program. For example, if you used 30 months of
    Dependents\' Educational Assistance (chapter 35 of title 38, U. S.
    Code) and are eligible under chapter 30, you could have a maximum of
    18 months of entitlement remaining. If you used 27 months under
    chapter 34 before December 31, 1989, and are eligible for chapter
    30, you could have a maximum of 21 months of entitlement
    remaining.**

    **HOW IS ENTITLEMENT CHARGED?**

    **You are charged one full day of entitlement for each day of
    full-time benefits paid.**

    **For correspondence and flight training, you use one month of
    entitlement each time VA pays the equivalent of one month of
    full-time benefits. If your full-time rate is \$536, and you receive
    \$1,608 for a correspondence course, the entitlement charge is three
    months. If your full-time rate is \$436 and you receive \$5,232 for
    flight training, the entitlement charge is 12 months.**

    **If you pursue a cooperative program, you use one month for each
    month of benefits paid.**

    **For apprenticeship and job training programs, the entitlement
    charge changes every six months. During the first six months, the
    charge is 75% of full-time. For the second six months, the charge is
    55% of full-time. For the rest of the program, the charge is 35% of
    full-time.**

    **VA can extend entitlement to the end of a term, quarter, or
    semester if the ending date of your entitlement falls within a term,
    quarter, or semester. If the school does not operate on a term
    basis, entitlement can be extended for 12 weeks.**

    **HOW MUCH EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE WILL YOU GET?**

    ***BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE***

    **If you first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and your
    first service obligation was more than two years, you will receive
    the following monthly rates:**

    **Rates for Schooling**

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  **[Monthly Rate]{.underline}**  **[Training Time]{.underline}**

  **\$536**                       **Full**

  **\$402**                       **Three-Quarter**

  **\$268**                       **One-Half**
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

**Rates for Apprenticeship and Job Training**

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  **[Monthly Rate]{.underline}**  **[Period of Training]{.underline}**

  **\$402.00**                    **First Six Months**

  **\$294.80**                    **Second Six Months**

  **\$187.60**                    **Remainder of Program**
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

**You will also receive the above rates if:**

-   **You first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, with a service
    obligation of two years plus four years in the Selected Reserve;**

-   **You first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, with a service
    obligation of two years, and you extended your obligation to three
    years or more; or**

-   **You are eligible under Category 3.**

    **If you first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and your
    first service obligation was two years, you will receive the
    following monthly rates:**

    **Rates for Schooling**

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  **[Monthly Rate]{.underline}**  **[Training Time]{.underline}**

  **\$436.00**                    **Full**

  **\$327.00**                    **Three-Quarter**

  **\$218.00**                    **One-Half**
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

**Rates for Apprenticeship and Job Training**

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
  **[Monthly Rate]{.underline}**  **[Period of Training]{.underline}**

  **\$327.00**                    **First Six Months**

  **\$239.80**                    **Second Six Months**

  **\$152.60**                    **Remainder of Program**
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------------------

***RATES FOR OTHER TYPES OF TRAINING***

**If you take cooperative training, you may receive payment at the rate
to which you are entitled for institutional training. Cooperative
training is full time only.**

**If you take a correspondence course, you receive 55% of the approved
charges for the course.**

**If you take flight training, you receive 60% of the approved charges
for the course, including solo hours.**

***INCREASES IN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE***

**If you are eligible under Category 2, you will receive a higher rate
of payment. In addition to your basic chapter 30 rate, you will receive
an amount equal to one-half of the chapter 34 rate. You will receive
this rate only as long as you have chapter 34 entitlement remaining.
After that, you will receive the basic chapter 30 rate.**

**VA pays an additional amount, commonly known as a \"kicker,\" if
directed by DOD (Department of Defense).**

**If you are eligible under Category 3 and had a chapter 32 \"kicker,\"
VA pays the basic chapter 30 rate and an additional amount based upon
the amount of the remaining kicker.**

***TRAINING WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY OR AT LESS THAN ONE-HALF TIME***

**If you are on active duty or training at less than one-half time, we
will pay you the lesser of:**

-   **The monthly rate based on tuition and fees for your course(s);
    or**

-   **The maximum monthly rate based on your training time.**

    **If you are training at less than one-half time, we will issue
    payment to you in one sum for the whole enrollment period.**

    **Here is how we decide the monthly rate of your payment. If, while
    on active duty, you train full time for the period June 1, 2000,
    through June 30, 2000, and the total charges for your courses are
    \$300, your monthly rate would be \$300. However, if the total
    charges are \$1,200 for the same period, your monthly rate would
    only be \$536.00 (or \$436.00 if your service obligation is less
    than three years). This is the maximum monthly rate payable based on
    your training time.**

    **HOW LONG ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?**

    **Benefits end 10 years from the date of your last discharge or
    release from active duty.**

    **VA can extend your 10-year period by the amount of time you were
    prevented from training during the period due to:**

-   **A disability; or**

-   **Being held by a foreign government or power.**

    **VA can extend your 10-year period if you reenter active duty for
    90 days or more after becoming eligible. The extension ends 10 years
    from the date of discharge or release from the later period. Periods
    of active duty of less than 90 days can qualify for extensions only
    if your discharge or release was for one of the following reasons:**

-   **A service-connected disability;**

-   **A medical condition existing before active duty;**

-   **Hardship; or**

-   **A reduction in force.**

    **If your discharge is upgraded by the military, the 10-year period
    begins on the date of the upgrade.**

    ***CATEGORY 2 ELIGIBILITY***

    **If you are eligible under Category 2 and your discharge was before
    December 31, 1989, you have until January 1, 2000, to use your
    entitlement. In most instances VA will subtract periods you were not
    on active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, from your
    10-year period.**

    ***ELIGIBILITY BASED ON THE 2 BY 4 PROGRAM***

    **If you are eligible based upon two years of active duty and four
    years in the Selected Reserve, you have 10 years from your release
    from active duty, or 10 years from the completion of the four-year
    Selected Reserve obligation to use your benefits, whichever is
    later.**

    **WHAT TRAINING MAY YOU TAKE?**

    **You may receive benefits for a wide variety of training.**

**You may seek an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or
university. You may take a cooperative training program. You may also
take an accredited independent study program leading to a standard
college degree.**

**You may take courses leading to a certificate or diploma from
business, technical, or vocational schools.**

**You may work and train in an apprenticeship or job training program
offered by a company or union.**

**You may take a correspondence course.**

**You may take flight training. You must have a private pilot\'s license
and meet the medical requirements for a desired certificate before
beginning training. If your program began before October 1, 1998, you
must continue to meet the medical requirements throughout your flight
training program.**

**A State Approving Agency or VA must approve each program offered by a
school or company. If you want to know if you may receive benefits for a
program, contact the nearest VA regional office.**

**ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR REMEDIAL, DEFICIENCY, AND REFRESHER TRAINING?**

**You may be eligible for benefits for remedial, deficiency, and
refresher courses. Remedial and deficiency courses are intended to
assist a student in overcoming a deficiency in a particular area of
study. Remedial and deficiency courses must be necessary for pursuit of
a program of education. Refresher training is for technological advances
that occurred in a field of employment. The advance must have occurred
while you were on active duty or after your release. There is an
entitlement charge for these courses.**

**ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE?**

**You may receive a special allowance for individual tutoring if you
enter school at one-half time or more. To qualify, you must have a
deficiency in a subject, making the tutoring necessary. The school must
certify the tutor\'s qualifications and the hours of tutoring. If
eligible, you may receive a maximum monthly payment of \$100. The
maximum total benefit is \$1,200. There is no entitlement charge for the
first \$600 of tutorial assistance. To compute the charge for payments
beyond \$600, divide the amount paid by your full-time rate for
schooling. To apply, complete VA Form 22-1990t, Application and
Enrollment Certification for Individualized Tutorial Assistance. Give it
to the certifying official in the office handling VA paperwork at your
school to complete.**

**ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR WORK-STUDY?**

**You may be eligible for an additional allowance under a work-study
program. The work-study program allows you to perform work for VA in
return for an hourly wage. You may perform outreach services under the
supervision of a VA employee, prepare and process VA paperwork, work at
a VA medical facility, or other approved activities. You must train at
the three-quarter or full-time rate. The maximum number of hours you may
work is 25 times the number of weeks in your enrollment period. Payments
will be at the Federal minimum wage or your State minimum wage,
whichever is greater. To apply, complete VA Form 22-8691, Application
for Work-Study Allowance. Send it to the nearest VA regional office.**

**ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS ON TRAINING?**

**There are some restrictions on training. Benefits are *not* payable
for the following courses:**

-   **Bartending and personality development courses.**

-   **Non-accredited independent study courses.**

-   **Any course given by radio.**

-   **Self-improvement courses such as reading, speaking, woodworking,
    basic seamanship, and English as a second language.**

-   **Any course which is avocational or recreational in character.**

-   **Farm cooperative courses.**

-   **Audited courses.**

-   **Courses not leading to an educational, professional, or vocational
    objective.**

-   **Courses you have taken before and successfully completed.**

-   **Courses taken by a Federal government employee under the
    Government Employees\' Training Act.**

-   **Courses paid for in whole or in part by the Armed Forces while on
    active duty.**

-   **Courses taken while in receipt of benefits for the same program
    from the Office of Workers\' Compensation Programs.**

**VA must reduce benefits if you are in a Federal, State, or local
prison after being convicted of a felony.**

**You may not receive benefits for a program at a proprietary school if
you are an owner or official of the school.**

**If you seek a college degree, the school must admit you to a degree
program by the start of your third term.**

**CAN YOU BE ELIGIBLE FOR MORE THAN ONE BENEFIT?**

**Yes, you can be eligible for more than one education benefit. If you
are, you must elect which benefit to receive. You cannot receive payment
for more than one benefit at a time. The benefits are:**

-   **Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans With Service-Connected
    Disabilities;**

-   **Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance;**

-   **Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve Educational Assistance
    Program; and**

-   **The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986.**

    ***IMPORTANT: If you are eligible for more than one benefit, we
    strongly suggest that you discuss your education plans with a
    Veterans Benefits Counselor. The counselor can help you explore the
    options open to you and plan your program to use your benefits
    fully.***

    **IS COUNSELING AVAILABLE?**

    **Counseling is available if you are:**

-   **Eligible for VA educational assistance;**

-   **On active duty, within 180 days of discharge, and you are
    stationed in a State; or**

-   **A veteran with a discharge that is not dishonorable and you are
    within one year from date of discharge.**

    **If you meet one of these qualifications and you request
    counseling, VA will provide services to help you understand your
    educational and vocational strengths and weaknesses and to plan:**

-   **An educational or training goal and the means by which you can
    reach that goal; or**

-   **An employment goal for which you qualify on the basis of your
    present training and experience. VA can also help you to plan an
    effective job search.**

    **Contact the nearest VA regional office for more information or to
    schedule a counseling appointment.**

    **ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION?**

    **You may be eligible for Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans
    With Service-Connected Disabilities under chapter 31 of title 38,
    U.S. Code if:**

-   **You have a service-connected disability or disabilities rated by
    VA at 20% or more;**

-   **You received a discharge from active duty that was not
    dishonorable; and**

-   **You have an employment handicap.**

    **You may also be eligible if you have a service-connected
    disability or disabilities rated by VA at 10%, and:**

-   **You have a serious employment handicap; or**

-   **You first applied for vocational rehabilitation benefits before
    November 1, 1990, you reapply after that date, and you have an
    employment handicap.**

    **Vocational rehabilitation helps disabled veterans become
    independent in daily living, and to the greatest extent possible, to
    select, prepare for, and secure employment that is compatible with
    their interests, talents, skills, physical capabilities, and
    goals.**

    **To apply for vocational rehabilitation, complete VA Form 28-1900,
    Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation. Send it
    to the nearest VA regional office.**

    **CAN YOU CHANGE PROGRAMS?**

    **If you change your educational, professional, or vocational
    objective and this change requires a change in the courses you are
    taking, VA considers this a change of program.**

    **The law permits one change of program without prior VA approval if
    your attendance, conduct, and progress in the last program were
    satisfactory. VA may approve additional changes if the proposed
    programs are suitable to your abilities, aptitudes, and interests.**

    **VA will not charge a change of program when you enroll in a new
    program provided you successfully completed your immediately
    preceding program.**

    **MUST YOU MAINTAIN SATISFACTORY ATTENDANCE, CONDUCT, AND
    PROGRESS?**

    **Once you start receiving benefits, you must maintain satisfactory
    attendance, conduct, and progress. If you do not meet the standards
    set by your school, the certifying official must notify VA. VA will
    stop your benefits if the school reports unsatisfactory attendance,
    conduct, or progress.**

    **VA may resume benefits if:**

-   **You reenter the same program at the same school; and**

-   **Your school approves your reentry and certifies it to VA.**

    **If you do not reenter the same program at the same school, VA may
    resume benefits if:**

-   **The cause of your unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress
    has been removed; and**

-   **The program which you intend to pursue is suitable to your
    abilities, aptitudes, and interests.**

    **WHAT MUST YOU DO TO QUALIFY?**

    **Once you find a school with a program you want or a company or
    union offering an apprenticeship or job training program in your
    field, there are two important steps.**

-   **FIRST, make sure the program which you choose is approved for VA
    training. If you are not clear on this point, contact your local VA
    regional office. Also, see \"Where To Go For Help\" at the back of
    this pamphlet.**

-   **SECOND, complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education
    Benefits. Send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over
    the State where you will train. If you are not on active duty, send
    copy 4 of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From
    Active Duty. If you are on active duty, you must have your
    application signed by your Education Services Officer, in the block
    provided on the form.**

    **VA will review your application and inform you if anything else is
    needed.**

    **If you have started training, take your application to your
    school, or to your employer or union if you are in a job training
    program. Ask the certifying official to complete VA Form 22-1999,
    Enrollment Certification, and send both forms to VA.**

    **One of the following VA regional offices has jurisdiction over
    your claim. Check the map to see which office has jurisdiction over
    the State where you will train.**

    **NOTE: If you are training in Puerto Rico or the U. S. Virgin
    Islands, your claim will be handled**

    **by the Atlanta Regional Office.**

    **If you are training on American Samoa, Guam, Midway, Wake Island,
    any of the islands in the Federated States of the Marshall Islands,
    the Republic of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau, or if you are
    training in the Republic of the Phillippines, your claim will be
    handled by the Muskogee Regional Office.**

    Eastern Region: e-mail: <BUFFRPO@vba.va.gov>

+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| # **VA R         | **Co        | **              | **Rhode Island** |
| egional Office** | nnecticut** | Massachusetts** |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **PO Box 4616**  | *           | **New           | **Vermont**      |
|                  | *Delaware** | Hampshire**     |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **Buffalo, NY**  | **District  | **New Jersey**  | **Virginia**     |
|                  | of**        |                 |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **14240-4616**   | *           | **New York**    | **West           |
|                  | *Columbia** |                 | Virginia**       |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
|                  | **Maine**   | **Ohio**        | **Foreign        |
|                  |             |                 | Schools**        |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
|                  | *           | *               |                  |
|                  | *Maryland** | *Pennsylvania** |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+

Southern Region: e-mail: <ATLRPO@vba.va.gov>

+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| ## **VA R        | **Alabama** | **Louisiana**   | **South          |
| egional Office** |             |                 | Carolina**       |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **PO Box         | *           | **Mississippi** | **Tennessee**    |
| 100022**         | *Arkansas** |                 |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **Decatur, GA**  | **Florida** | **North         |                  |
|                  |             | Carolina**      |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **30031-7022**   | **Georgia** | **Puerto Rico** |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+

Central Region: e-mail: <stlrpo@vba.va.gov>

+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| ### **VA R       | *           | **Kentucky**    | **Nebraska**     |
| egional Office** | *Colorado** |                 |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **PO Box 66830** | *           | **Michigan**    | **North Dakota** |
|                  | *Illinois** |                 |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **St. Louis,     | **Indiana** | **Minnesota**   | **South Dakota** |
| MO**             |             |                 |                  |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **63166-6830**   | **Iowa**    | **Missouri**    | **Wisconsin**    |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+
|                  | **Kansas**  | **Montana**     | **Wyoming**      |
+------------------+-------------+-----------------+------------------+

Western Region: e-mail: <muskrpo@vba.va.gov>

+---------------------+--------------+----------------+---------------+
| #### **V            | **Alaska**   | **New Mexico** | **            |
| A Regional Office** |              |                | Philippines** |
+---------------------+--------------+----------------+---------------+
| **PO Box 8888**     | **Arizona**  | **Nevada**     | **Texas**     |
+---------------------+--------------+----------------+---------------+
| **Muskogee, OK**    | **           | **Oklahoma**   | **Utah**      |
|                     | California** |                |               |
+---------------------+--------------+----------------+---------------+
| **74402-8888**      | **Hawaii**   | **Oregon**     | *             |
|                     |              |                | *Washington** |
+---------------------+--------------+----------------+---------------+
|                     | **Idaho**    |                |               |
+---------------------+--------------+----------------+---------------+

**WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU DISAGREE WITH A VA DECISION?**

**You may appeal VA decisions on education benefits. You must file an
appeal within one year of the date you receive notice of a decision.
Each notice of decision issued by VA contains your legal rights and
appeal procedures. You may request a personal hearing on your claim.**

**If you need assistance in filing an appeal, contact the nearest VA
regional office or a veterans service organization.**

**HOW DO YOU RECEIVE MONTHLY PAYMENTS?**

**After selecting a school and submitting your application to VA, ask
the school official to complete an enrollment certification. The school
official will send the enrollment certification to the appropriate VA
regional office. If you have basic eligibility for benefits, and your
program or course is approved, VA will process your enrollment based on
certified training time.**

**If you are in a degree program at a college or university, or a
certificate or diploma program at a business, technical, or vocational
school, you will not receive payment until you have completed a form to
verify your attendance. You will receive such a form each month and you
must complete and return it to the appropriate VA regional office. After
processing, VA will release a check.**

**If you are in an apprenticeship or job training program, you will
receive a form to report the hours worked each month. Sign the form and
give it to the certifying official for the company or union. The
certifying official must complete the form and send it to the
appropriate VA regional office. After processing, VA will release a
check.**

**If you are taking a correspondence course, you will receive a form
each quarter on which you should show the number of lessons you
completed that quarter, i.e., March, June, September, and December. Send
the form to the school for certification of the number of lessons
serviced during the quarter. The school will send the form to the
appropriate VA regional office. After processing, VA will release a
check. Payments are based upon the number of lessons serviced by the
school.**

**VA sends flight schools a supply of blank monthly certification of
flight training forms. The school completes the form by entering the
number of hours, the hourly rate, and the total charges for flight
training received during the month. Review and sign the completed form
and send it to the appropriate VA regional office. After processing, VA
will release a check.**

**The law prohibits schools from cashing VA checks under a power of
attorney agreement.**

**WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CHECK OR VERIFICATION
FORM?**

**If you attend school, you should receive your verification form for
each month by the fifth of the next month. If you do not, immediately
contact the nearest VA regional office. Explain that you are receiving
education benefits under chapter 30 and you have not received your
monthly verification form. The person answering the telephone will take
the information and forward it to the appropriate VA regional office for
processing.**

**If you have submitted the form but have not received a check after two
weeks, immediately contact the nearest VA regional office. Explain that
you are receiving education benefits under chapter 30 and have submitted
your verification form. The person answering the telephone will record
the necessary information and determine the status of the check. VA will
contact you by letter or telephone with information about the check.**

**Whenever you contact VA, have your VA file number readily available.**

**MAY YOU GO PART-TIME?**

**If you are unable to attend full-time, consider going part-time.
Benefit rates for part-time training are less than the full-time rates.
Likewise, the entitlement charge for part-time training is less than the
charge for full-time training. For example, if you receive full-time
benefits for 12 months, the charge is 12 months. If you receive one-half
time benefits for 12 months, the charge is six months.**

**CAN YOU GET AN ADVANCE PAYMENT?**

**You may receive an advance payment for the initial month or partial
month and the following month, if:**

-   **You train at one-half time or more;**

-   **The school agrees to handle advance payments;**

-   **You request an advance payment in writing; and,**

-   **VA receives your enrollment certification at least 30 days before
    classes start.**

    **VA will mail an advance payment check, made out to you, to the
    school for delivery to you at registration. VA cannot issue the
    check more than 30 days before classes start. Before you request an
    advance payment, ask the certifying official if your school has
    agreed to process advance payments. Your request for an advance
    payment must be on VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, or a
    sheet of paper attached to the enrollment certification.**

    **If you receive an advance payment at registration, be sure that
    the school certifies to VA that you received the check. If you
    reduce your enrollment or withdraw from all courses during the
    period covered by an advance payment, you will have an overpayment
    that VA is required to collect from you if you cash the check. If
    you think the amount of a VA check is incorrect, contact VA *before*
    cashing the check.**

    **CAN YOU GET PAYMENTS SENT THROUGH DIRECT DEPOSIT?**

    **You can get your chapter 30 payments sent directly to your savings
    or checking account. VA does this through Direct Deposit/Electronic
    Fund Transfer. For information about how to get your payments sent
    through direct deposit, contact your local VA office or your bank.**

    **WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?**

    ***CHANGE IN YOUR ENROLLMENT***

    **If you change your enrollment, immediately tell the certifying
    official at your school. Request the certifying official to notify
    the appropriate VA regional office of the change. Also,notify the
    appropriate VA regional office of the change yourself. If VA does
    not receive prompt notice of a change, you could be liable for an
    overpayment of benefits.**

    ***NOTE:* School employees who process VA forms are *not* VA
    employees.**

    ***CHANGE OF ADDRESS***

    **Promptly notify the appropriate VA regional office of any change
    in your address. Send your complete new address, including the zip
    code.**

    ***CHANGE IN SELECTED RESERVE STATUS***

    **If you receive increased benefits or additional months of
    entitlement due to Selected Reserve service, notify the appropriate
    VA regional office if you change reserve status. If you do not
    satisfactorily complete your four-year Selected Reserve obligation,
    you may not receive increased benefits.**

    **Examples of changes you must report are:**

-   **Leaving the Selected Reserve; or**

-   **A discharge or release from the Selected Reserve.**

    **You do not need to report changes of units or components.**

    ***CHANGE IN DEPENDENCY***

    **If you receive chapter 30 benefits and one-half of the chapter 34
    rate (based on Category 2 eligibility), your allowance may include
    an additional amount for dependents. Dependents include your spouse,
    natural children, adopted children, stepchildren, and dependent
    parents. You must report any change affecting your dependents.**

    **Examples of changes you must report are:**

-   **Marriage;**

-   **Divorce or separation from a spouse;**

-   **Birth of a child;**

-   **Termination of custody of an adopted child or stepchild;**

-   **Marriage of a child;**

-   **Enrollment in or withdrawal from school of a child between the
    ages of 18 and 23; and**

-   **Death of a dependent.**

    **VA requires documentary proof to establish dependents. The
    preferred evidence is a copy of the public or church record of a
    marriage or birth.**

    **WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ENROLLMENT?**

    **If you withdraw from one or more of your courses after the end of
    the school\'s drop period, VA will reduce or stop your benefits on
    the date of reduction or withdrawal.**

    **If you withdraw from a course after the end of the drop period,
    you may have to repay *all* benefits for the course unless you can
    show that the change was due to mitigating circumstances.**

    **VA defines \"mitigating circumstances\" as unavoidable and
    unexpected events that directly interfere with your pursuit of a
    course and are beyond your control.**

    **Examples of reasons VA may accept are:**

-   **Extended illness;**

-   **Severe illness or death in your immediate family;**

-   **Unscheduled changes in your employment; and**

-   **Lack of child care.**

    **Examples of reasons VA may not accept are:**

-   **Withdrawal to avoid a failing grade;**

-   **Dislike of the instructor; and**

-   **Too many courses attempted.**

    **NOTE: VA may ask you to furnish evidence to support your reason
    for a change. If a**

    serious injury or illness caused the change, obtain a statement from
    your doctor. If a change in employment caused the change, obtain a
    statement from your employer.

    **The first time you withdraw from up to six credit hours, VA will
    \"excuse\" the withdrawal and pay benefits for the period attended.
    Remember, this only applies to your first withdrawal.**

    **If you receive a grade that does not count toward graduation, you
    may have to repay *all* benefits for the course. You should check
    your school\'s grading policy with the registrar or the office
    handling VA paperwork. The school may have \"non-punitive grades.\"
    VA defines \"non-punitive grades\" as those not used to compute
    graduation requirements. Common examples are:**

-   **An \"I\" grade for an incomplete which is not made up during the
    time period required by the school or within one year from
    receipt;**

-   **A \"W\" grade for withdrawing;**

-   **An \"AU\" grade for auditing; or**

-   **Any grade the school does not use to compute the GPA (grade point
    average) or its equivalent.**

    **If you receive a non-punitive grade, the school will notify VA.
    Upon receipt of the notice, VA may reduce or stop benefits. You may
    not have to repay the benefits if you can show that the grades were
    due to mitigating circumstances.**

    **HOW CAN YOU PREVENT OVERPAYMENTS?**

    **An overpayment is an incorrect benefit payment that is more than
    the amount to which you are entitled. If you promptly notify VA of
    changes affecting your benefits, you can prevent or reduce
    overpayments.**

    **In addition, you should use reasonable judgment when you accept
    and cash a check. Carefully read all letters from VA about the
    monthly rates and effective dates of your benefits. If you think the
    amount of a VA check is wrong, contact VA *before* cashing the
    check. Return any checks for the wrong amount to VA.**

    **If you cash a check for the wrong amount*, you will be liable for
    repayment of any resulting overpayment.***

    **WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE AN OVERPAYMENT?**

    **VA must take prompt and aggressive action to recover overpayments.
    You have the right to request a waiver of the overpayment or
    verification that the amount is correct. If an overpayment is not
    repaid or waived, VA may add interest and collection fees to your
    debt. VA may also take one or more of the following actions to
    collect the debt:**

-   **Withhold future benefits to apply to your debt.**

-   **Refer your debt to a private collection agency.**

-   **Recover the debt from your Federal income tax refund.**

-   **Recover the debt from your salary if you are a Federal employee.**

-   **File a lawsuit in Federal court to collect the debt.**

-   **Withhold approval of a VA home loan guarantee.**

    **WHERE TO GO FOR HELP**

    **For forms and information, one or more of the following offices or
    representatives can assist you:**

-   **Any VA regional office.**

-   **Any VA office or Vet Center.**

-   **Local representatives of veterans organizations.**

-   **Education Services Officers at military posts or installations,
    for persons on active duty.**

-   **American embassies or consulates, if you reside in a foreign
    country (except the Republic of the Philippines).**

**Consult a telephone directory under United States Government,
Department of Veterans Affairs, for the telephone number of the office
nearest you. Toll-free telephone service is available in all 50 states,
Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Call 1-888-GIBILL-1
(1-888-442 -4551). If you do not have access to this number, call
1-800-827-1000, or for the hearing impaired call 1-800-829-4833.**

**VA supervisory personnel occasionally monitor telephone calls. They do
this to ensure that the public receives accurate information and
courteous responses. The person monitoring a call does not keep a record
of the caller\'s name, address, file number, or telephone number.**

**You can also reach us on the World Wide Web (Internet). VA Education
Service maintains a Home Page on the Web. You can get information about
education benefit programs and send us questions about your claim for
education benefits. The Home Page address is:**

[www.gibill.va.gov](http://www.gibill.va.gov/)

**Follow the prompts under the \"Claim Inquiry\" option on the main menu
to inquire about your claim for education benefits.**

**To obtain information on other sources of assistance, contact the
financial aid office at your school.**

**RESCISSION: VA Pamphlet 22-90-2, dated October 1998**

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