Understanding the Veterans Administration GI Bill
By: Shelly Olivia
Tags: Veterans

The VA/GI Bill (more commonly referred to simply as The GI Bill is managed through the Department of Veterans Affairs. It covers all education benefits earned by active duty and reserve personnel who serve or have served in any branch of the United States military and their families. It exists to help current military service members and all eligible veterans cover costs associated with education and training.

History

The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944. The act would come to be known as the GI Bill of Rights, the Veterans Affairs GI Bill, and, eventually simply, “The GI Bill.”

By1947, veterans made up 49 percent of U.S. college admissions. At the end of the original bill in July, 1956, nearly half of all surviving World War II Veterans were participating or had participated education and training programs covered under it. Millions of military personnel and veterans also benefitted from the GI Bill Home Loan Guaranty. Between 1944 and 1952, the Veteran’s Administration (VA) backed close to 2.4 million home loans for veterans of WWII.

The bill was revamped in 1984 by Mississippi Congressman Gillespie V. “Sonny” Montgomery, lending it the moniker, “The Montgomery GI Bill.” It was updated again in 2008 to allow veterans who were active duty on or after Sept. 11 2001 even more educational benefits including living allowances and funds for textbooks. The revised bill even allows for the transfer of unused benefits to both spouses and children.

GI Bill Programs

The GI Bill covers several distinct programs, each of which is administrated differently. Those differences are typically dependent on the serviceperson’s duty status and eligibility. Current programs include the following:

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Vocational Rehabilitation & Education Program

Reserve & Guard Montgomery GI Bill

Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill

There are also programs for survivors of fallen service members who have died in the line of duty, permanently disabled veterans and their dependents. Those programs include the Fry Scholarship and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA).

GI Bill Training Options

There are a number of ways to use GI Bill funds. The various programs allow for pursuit of various certificate, degree, and vocational training options. These options include all of the following:

Work-study programs

Undergraduate and advanced college degree programs

Vocational/Technical Training

Flight Training

Apprenticeships & on-the-job training programs

Reimbursement for licensure and certification expenses

SAT, CLEP, AP, and other standardized test prep

Correspondence Training

Tuition Assistance

Tutoring

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements under the current Montgomery GI Bill are very straightforward. Military personnel and veterans qualify if they:

Contribute $100 per month for their first 12 months of active duty

Qualify under VEAP conversion.

Have finished high school or have earned a GED prior to applying

Have served a minimum of 2 years’ active duty

Benefits

Some of the basic benefits of the current GI Bill are listed above. The Montgomery GI bill still guarantees home loans and allows transfer of funds to qualified spouses and children.

There are also a number of other ways to use GI Bill funds. The various programs allow for pursuit of a diversity of certificate, degree, and vocational training options. These options include all of the following:

Work-study programs

Undergraduate and advanced college degree programs

Vocational/Technical Training

Flight Training

Apprenticeships & on-the-job training programs

Reimbursement for licensure and certification expenses

SAT, CLEP, AP, and other standardized test prep

Correspondence Training

Tuition Assistance

Tutoring

Housing Allowances

Book and supply stipends

VA Bill Chapters

The GI Bill is an aggregate of a number of chapters administrated by the VA including:

Chapter 30 — Montgomery GI Bill

Chapter 31 — Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service

Chapter 33 — Post 9/11 GI Bill

Chapter 35 — Survivor’s and Dependents Educational Assistance Program

Chapter 1606 — Montgomery GI Bill — Select Reserve

Chapter 1607 — Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

A full explanation of each and the associated benefits can be found here.

How to Apply for Benefits

There are a number of ways to apply for benefits under the current GI Bill. The fastest and easiest way is to apply online, but there are also several other options:

Apply in Person — Visit your local VA Regional Office. In most cases, no appointment is necessary.

Apply Via U.S. Mail — Call Call 1–888-GI BILL-1 (888–442–4551) and ask to have a hard copy of the GI Bill application mailed to you.

Apply Through Your School — Nearly all colleges and universities (and a number of high schools) have or can put you in touch with a Certifying Official who can assist in completing the application process. Looking for a school where you can use your GI benefits? An exhaustive list (along with other valuable information) can be found here.

We encourage you to explore all the benefits outlined above and use the resources referenced to determine eligibility and begin the process of collecting the GI Bill benefits you deserve.