How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits 
Find out how to apply for the GI Bill and other VA education benefits as a Veteran, service member, or qualified family member. 

How do I prepare before starting my application? 
Find out if you re eligible for VA education benefits Gather the documents and information listed below that you ll need to apply for education benefits. See what benefits you ll get at the school you want to attend. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool Note: To apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment also called Chapter 31 or educational and career counseling also called Chapter 36 benefits and services , you ll need to use a different application. Find out how to apply for Vocational Rehab and Employment Learn more about Educational and Career Counseling 

What documents and information do I need to apply? 
Social Security number Bank account direct deposit information Education and military history you want to attend or are attending now Basic information about the school or training facility 

You can also apply: 


By mail 
Call 888-GI - BILL-1 888 - 442 - 4551 , Monday through Friday , 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET , to request that we send the application to you. Fill it out and mail it to the VA regional claims processing office that s in the same location as your school. See a list of regional claims processing offices 

In person 
Go to a VA regional benefit office and have a VA employee help you. Find a VA regional benefit office near you Work with your school s certifying official. This person is usually in the Registrar or Financial Aid office at the school. 

With the help of a trained professional 
You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help applying for education benefits. Get help filing your claim 

What happens after I apply? 
Find out what happens after you apply You can t make changes to your application , but if you have questions about VA education benefits, please cal

user: Hi, good afternoon. Look, i'm interested on some info about GI Bill related benefits. Could you tell me what's next after application?

assistant: Well, one of the things is that you can't make changes to you application. More related information is available through our toll free numbers.

assistant: Have you been asked for documents from us?

user: No, i hadn't.

user: I doesn't matter. Moving on, then. Can you tell me what i need to apply for the benefits?

assistant: You would need the following: Social Security Number, Bank Account direct deposit information and Education and military History.

user: O.k, i'll get into those whenever i can. Do you offer any kind of assistance to apply?

assistant: Sure, indeed. We can provide you a trained professional called an accredited representative, so you can work with it and help you applying for education benefits.

user: That sound great, really. Look, what if i have more questions about these matters?

assistant: If you happen to have more questions, you can make use of our toll free numbers: 1-888-GI-BILL or 1-888-442-4551. That woudl be Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 7 PM ET.

user: O.k, i'll make sure to have that at hand. In any case, what kind of preparation I would need before I apply?

assistant: First of all, you would need to find out if you're eligible for the VA benefits. Then, you'll have to gather the documents and information required to apply.

user: O.k. I'll have to check that out. Just to be sure. Any doubts, i can make use of the toll free number, i'm i right?

assistant: You're right. You can make use of that in any moment.