The best known program is the Montgomery GI Bill, of which there are two distinct versions. Another significant program, although much smaller in terms of overall participants, is the Dependents' Educational Assistance program. This program provides education benefits for spouses, surviving spouses and children. Eligible individuals may pursue a wide variety of training opportunities, including undergraduate and graduate degree programs at colleges and universities. This program allows veterans to perform work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in return for an hourly wage.
Payments are at the federal minimum wage or the veteran's state minimum wage, whichever is greater.
All of these programs may involve utilization, instruction, and training in education technology. Veterans, school officials and veterans service organizations in New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Texas, through the use of personal computers, can enter education payment inquiries and send them directly to the Buffalo Regional Processing Office. Thirteen more states are scheduled to have access to this service in September of November 1996.