VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
In order to be certified for VA benefits, you must submit the following documents to the
Office of the Registrar:
1.
2.
3.
4.
DD-214
Certificate of Eligibility
Military Transcripts
Transcripts from all post-secondary schools (anything above high school)
Your DD-214 can be obtained by going to:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
Information about Military Transcripts for any branch of the military and how to request
them is available at the following link: http://www.dodea.edu/students/transcripts.cfm
Information regarding Coast Guard Transcripts and how to obtain them can be found at
the following link: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/
In addition, you must complete and submit the VA Benefit Certification Request for each
semester that you wish to be certified. If at any time your enrollment status changes, you must
submit a VA Benefit Certification - Change Request so your VA certification can be amended.
Information regarding your VA benefits is available online at www.gibill.va.gov/applyfor- benefits. You may apply for benefits and make changes to your chapter or school at
http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.
South Texas College of Law currently certifies students for the following chapters:
 Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill
 Yellow Ribbon Program
 Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter 30 (Active Duty – MGIB-AD)
 Montgomery GI Bill – Chapter 1606 (Selected Reserve – MGIB-SR)
 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) – Chapter 31
 Chapter 35 Dependent /Spouse
 Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)
Further information regarding these chapters is provided on the following pages.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 33 POST 9/11 GI BILL
Effective August 1, 2016, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to $21,970.46 annually for private
school tuition. You must contact VA to complete and submit the application form available
online. You will receive written notification explaining VA's decision regarding your
eligibility for the program. If you are eligible, your Certificate of Eligibility will also advise
you if your service meets the requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on
active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a serviceconnected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.
Whether you want to apply your GI Bill benefits to college classes or an on-the-job training
program, the GI Bill Comparison Tool will help you make the most of them. You can also
review the program pamphlet.
If you have eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and any other GI Bill program you must make an
irrevocable election of the Post-9/11 GI Bill before you can receive any benefits. For more
information see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has a few specific components that are unavailable in other GI Bill
programs:


Yellow Ribbon Program
Transfer of Entitlement Option
Benefits and Eligibility
For approved programs, the Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits,
generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. Institutions of higher
learning participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program may make additional funds available for
your education program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. The following
payments may also be available:
 Monthly housing allowance
 Annual books and supplies stipend
 One-time rural benefit payment
To see the current payment rates for the Post-9/11 GI Bill click here.
Some Servicemembers may also transfer unused GI Bill benefits to their dependents.
Other Factors to Consider

Full tuition and fees are paid directly to the school for all public school in-state students.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION


For those attending private or foreign schools, tuition and fees are capped at the national
maximum rate. Learn more here.
If you're attending a private or a public institution of higher learning (either private or
public) as a nonresident, out-of-state student you may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon
Program and entitled to additional education-related costs not covered by VA. Not everyone
is eligible for this assistance.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay you:


all resident tuition & fees for a public school
the lower of the actual tuition & fees or the national maximum per academic year for a
private school
Your actual tuition & fees costs may exceed these amounts if you are attending a private
school or are attending a public school as a nonresident student.
Institutions of Higher Learning (Degree Granting Institutions) may elect to participate in
the Yellow Ribbon Program to make additional funds available for your education
program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement.
Degree-granting institutions of higher learning participating in the Post-9/11 GI Bill
Yellow Ribbon Program agree to make additional funds available for your education
program without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. These institutions
voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with VA and choose the amount of
tuition and fees that will be contributed. VA matches that amount and issues payments
directly to the institution.
Available Benefits and Eligibility
Only Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate, as determined by service
requirements, or their designated transferees may receive this funding. Active duty
Servicemembers and their spouses are not eligible for this program. Child transferees of
active duty Servicemembers may be eligible if the Servicemember is qualified at the 100
percent rate.
To receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program:



You must be eligible for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill
You must not be on active duty or a spouse using transferred entitlement
Your school must agree to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION


Your school must have not offered Yellow Ribbon to more than the maximum number of
individuals, as stated in their participation agreement
Your school must certify your enrollment to VA and provide Yellow Ribbon Program
information
You may be eligible if you fit the following circumstances:



You served an aggregate period of 36 months in active duty after Sept. 10, 2001
You were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability and you
served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.
You are a dependent eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based
on the service eligibility criteria listed above.
More Information


Read FAQs about the Yellow Ribbon Program
Get more information in the Yellow Ribbon Program pamphlet
How Will I Know If My School Is Participating In The Yellow Ribbon
Program?
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


Yellow Ribbon Program-participating institutions 2015-2016 school year
Yellow Ribbon Program-participating institutions 2014-2015 school year
Yellow Ribbon Program-participating institutions 2013-2014 school year
Yellow Ribbon Program-participating institutions 2012-2013 school year
Yellow Ribbon Program-participating institutions 2011-2012 school year
Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents
The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill allows Servicemembers to transfer all or
some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The Department of Defense (DoD)
determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family. Once the DoD approves
benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them at VA. To find out more, visit the
DoDs website or apply now.
Type of Assistance
Eligible Servicemembers may transfer all 36 months or the portion of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill
benefits (unless DoD or the Department of Homeland Security has limited the number of
transferable months). If you're eligible, you may transfer benefits to the following individuals:



Your spouse
One or more of your children
Any combination of spouse and child
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Available Benefits and Eligibility
Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System
(DEERS) and be eligible for benefits at the time of transfer to receive transferred benefits.
The option to transfer is open to any member of the armed forces active duty or Selected
Reserve, officer or enlisted who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and meets the following
criteria:



Has at least six years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on
the date of approval and agrees to serve four additional years in the armed forces from the
date of election.
Has at least 10 years of service in the armed forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on
the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (by Service Branch or DoD) or
statute from committing to four additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum
amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.
Transfer requests are submitted and approved while the member is in the armed forces.
Transfer Process. While in the armed forces, transferors use the Transfer of Education Benefits
(TEB) website to designate, modify, and revoke a Transfer of Entitlement (TOE) request. After
leaving the armed forces, transferors may provide a future effective date for use of TOE, modify
the number of months transferred, or revoke entitlement transferred by submitting a written
request to VA. Submit a TEB request now for your Service component approval (non-VA Link).
(NOTE: When the milConnect Home page displays, select Education then Transfer of Education
Benefits [TEB] from the menu bar.)
Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits with VA by printing,
completing, and mailing the VA Form 22-1990e to your nearest VA regional office of
applying online. VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the
family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB. Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to
apply for TEB.
Other Factors to Consider
Marriage and Divorce


A child’s subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational
benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section,
the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.
A subsequent divorce will not affect the transferees eligibility to receive educational benefits;
however, after an individual has designated a spouse as a transferee under this section, the
eligible individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Reallocation of Benefits
If a Servicemember wants to reallocate transferred benefits they can do so using the TEB Portlet
in MilConnect at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect. If a Veteran wants to reallocate benefits
they should contact the VA using our "Ask A Question" website http://gibill.custhelp.com.
If transferred benefits are totally revoked for a dependent a Servicemember must resubmit a
transfer request for the dependent via MilConnect, a Veteran cannot re-transfer benefits to a
dependent if the dependent's transfer eligibility was previously totally revoked.
Nature of Transfer
Family member use of transferred educational benefits is subject to the following rules:
Spouses




May start to use the benefit immediately
May use the benefit while the member remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from
active duty
Are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance while the member is serving on active
duty
Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after the service members last separation from active
duty
Children

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
May start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at
least 10 years of service in the armed forces
May use the benefit while the eligible individual remains in the armed forces or after
separation from active duty
May not use the benefit until he or she has attained a secondary school diploma (or
equivalency certificate), or he or she has reached age 18
Is entitled to the monthly housing allowance stipend even though the eligible individual is on
active duty
Is not subject to the 15-year delimiting date, but may not use the benefit after reaching 26
years of age
More Information



View the official DoD website for information on transferability (non-VA link)
Get the fact sheet on transferability of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
For specific questions about your eligibility, the status of your transfer request, and service
specific questions about the TEB Portlet, please contact the appropriate career counselor or
personnel center from the following list:
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Branch of Service
Contact
Army Active Duty Officer
Email
Army Active Duty Enlisted
Email
Army National Guard
Email
Army Reserve (Enlisted and Officer)
Email
Navy Active Duty Navy Personnel Command Customer Service
Center
866-U-ASK-NPC (866-827-5672)/DSN 882-5672
800-621-8853, Fax: 757-444-7597/7598
Navy Reserve
Email
Marine Corps Active Duty Officer
Email
Marine Corps Active Duty Enlisted
Email
Marine Corps Reserve
Email
Air Force Active Duty
800-525-0102 or 210-565-5000 or DSN 665-5000
Contact one of the Retention Office Managers at your
Air National Guard
unit.
Air Force Reserve
Email
Coast Guard Active Duty
Email
Coast Guard Reserve
Email
Email or
NOAA
301-713-7728
Email or
PHS
240-453-6130
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Montgomery GI Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available to those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.
There are two main programs:

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) For active duty members who enroll and
pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education
benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) For Reservists with a six-year
obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drilling.
Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Chapter 30
The MGIB-AD program—sometimes known as Chapter 30—provides education benefits
to Veterans and Servicemembers who have at least two years of active duty.
Type of Assistance
Assistance may be used for college degree and certificate programs, technical or
vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high-tech
training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, certain
entrance examinations, and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses
may be approved under certain circumstances. Benefits are generally payable for 10 years
following your release from honorable active service. Get the Montgomery GI Bill Active
Duty pamphlet (PDF).
Available Benefits and Eligibility
Eligible Servicemembers may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. The monthly
benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your
category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program. You
usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years
depending on the situation. View current payment rates.
$600 Buy-Up Program. Some Servicemembers may contribute up to an additional $600 to the
GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may
receive up to $5,400 in additional GI Bill benefits. The additional contribution must be made
while on active duty. View increased monthly rates and contact your personnel or payroll office.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Eligibility
You may be an eligible if you have an honorable discharge; AND you have a high school
diploma or GED or in some cases 12 hours of college credit; AND you meet the requirements of
one of the categories below:
CATEGORY I



Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985
Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months
Continuously served for three years or two years, if that is what you first enlisted for or if
you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served four years
(the 2 by 4 program)
CATEGORY II



Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
Served at least one day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and stayed on active duty through
6/30/88, (or through 6/30/87 if you entered the Selected Reserve within one year of leaving
active duty and served four years)
On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from Vietnam-era GI Bill
CATEGORY III

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


Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
On active duty on 9/30/90 AND separated involuntarily after 2/2/91
OR involuntarily separated on or after 11/30/93
OR voluntarily separated under either the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Special
Separation Benefit (SSB) program
Before separation, you had military pay reduced by $1,200
CATEGORY IV



On active duty on 10/9/96 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date
AND you elected MGIB by 10/9/97
OR you entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85, and
11/28/89, AND you elected MGIB during the period 10/9/96 - 7/08/97
Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1,200 lump-sum
contribution
Apply
Apply now by filling out VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Education Benefits)
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Montgomery GI Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Chapter 1606
MGIB-SR program provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected
Reserve, including the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve
and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Eligibility
for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components and VA makes the
payments.
Types of Training
Assistance may be used for college degree and certificate programs, co-op training, technical or
vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high-tech
training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training,
certain entrance examinations, and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher
courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Get the Montgomery GI Bill Selected
Reserve pamphlet (PDF).
Available Benefits and Eligibility
You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. View current payment
rates.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:




Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you
are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation.
For some types of training it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after
Sept. 30, 1990.
Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT).
Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before
completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this
requirement.
Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also
retain MGIB-SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a
disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you
are ordered to active duty.
Other Factors to Consider
Your eligibility for the program normally ends the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
An exception exists if you are mobilized or recalled to active duty from your reserve status in
which case your eligibility may be extended for the amount of time you are mobilized PLUS four
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
months. For example, if you are mobilized for 12 months, your eligibility period is extended for
16 months; 12 months of active duty PLUS four months. Even if you leave the Reserves after
mobilization, you may have additional eligibility under the MGIB-SR.
If your unit is deactivated during the period beginning Oct. 1, 2007, through Sept. 30, 2014, or
you are involuntarily separated for reasons other than misconduct, you will retain your original
period of eligibility, which is 14 years from the date of your first six-year obligation with the
Selected Reserves.
Apply
Follow these steps to become eligible and apply:
1. Get the DD Form 2384-1, Notice of Basic Eligibility, when you become eligible for the
program from your unit. Your unit will also code your eligibility into the DoD personnel
system so VA may verify your eligibility.
2. Then make sure your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are unsure,
VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.
3. Obtain and 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.
4. If you started training, take your application and your Notice of Basic Eligibility to your
school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999 not available online
Enrollment Certification, and send all the forms to VA.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
Chapter 31
For Veterans and Servicemembers
You may receive Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services to help with job
training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching.
Other services may be provided to assist Veterans in starting their own businesses or independent
living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional
employment.
VA's Education and Career Counseling program is a great opportunity for Veterans and
Servicemembers to get personalized counseling and support to help guide their career paths,
ensure the most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals. Learn more and apply
for education and career counseling
How to Apply
Eligible Veterans and Servicemembers may apply for either Vocational Rehabilitation and
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Employment benefits or for Education/Career Counseling on-line through eBenefits. It's simple
to apply. Just follow these steps:





Log in to your eBenefits account
Select "Additional Benefits" from your Dashboard
Select "Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program" - be sure to read the program
information and to update your contact information - and apply for either the "Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Program" or "Education/Career Counseling"
If it is determined that you are eligible, you will be invited to attend an orientation session,
in-person, at the nearest VA Regional Office
Servicemembers who have a disability that began or became worse during active duty and
who have not yet received a service-connected disability (SCD) rating do not need to wait to
apply. See VA Form 28-0588 for further instructions
For Servicemembers: Ill or injured Servicemembers who have not yet received a SCD rating do
not need to wait to apply. Servicemembers expecting a discharge that is other than dishonorable
who possess a VA memorandum or Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) rating of 20
percent or more—as well as Servicemembers currently going through a Physical Evaluation
Board—may be eligible to receive VR&E services.
Eligibility and Entitlement
Services that may be provided by the VR&E Program include:








Comprehensive evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment
Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other
work readiness assistance
Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and
job accommodations
On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and medical
referrals
Independent living services for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their
disabilities
Who is Eligible for VR&E Services?
Active Duty Servicemembers are eligible if they:



Expect to receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge upon separation from
active duty
Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA), and
Apply for VR&E services
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Or (until December 31, 2016)



Are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or are certified by
the military as having a severe injury or illness that may prevent them from performing their
military duties
Apply for VR&E services, and
Report for an evaluation with a VR&E counselor before separating from active duty
Veterans are eligible if they:



Have received a discharge that is other than dishonorable
Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA
Apply for VR&E services
Basic period of Eligibility
The basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from the date of notification of one of the following:
 Date of separation from active military service, or
 Date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating.
The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
(VRC) determines that a Veteran has a Serious Employment Handicap
What Happens after Eligibility is Established?
The Veteran is scheduled to meet with a VRC for a comprehensive evaluation to determine if
he/she is entitled for services. A comprehensive evaluation includes:
 An assessment of the Veteran's interests, aptitudes, and abilities
 An assessment of whether service connected disabilities impair the Veteran's ability to find
and/or hold a job using the occupational skills he or she has already developed
 Vocational exploration and goal development leading to employment and / or maximum
independence at home and in the Veteran's community
What is an Entitlement Determination?
A VRC works with the Veteran to complete a determination if an employment handicap exists.
An employment handicap exists if the Veteran's service connected disability impairs his/her
ability to obtain and maintain a job. Entitlement to services is established if the veteran has an
employment handicap and is within his or her 12-year basic period of eligibility and has a 20%
or greater service-connected disability rating.
If the service connected disability rating is less than 20%, or if the Veteran is beyond the 12-year
basic period of eligibility, then a serious employment handicap must be found to establish
entitlement to VR&E services. A serious employment handicap is based on the extent of services
required to help a Veteran to overcome his or her service and non-service connected disabilities
permitting the return to suitable employment.
What Happens after the Entitlement Determination is Made?
The Veteran and VRC work together to:
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION


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





Determine transferable skills, aptitudes, and interests
Identify viable employment and/or independent living services options
Explore labor market and wage information
Identify physical demands and other job characteristics
Narrow vocational options to identify a suitable employment goal
Select a VR&E program track leading to an employment or independent living goal
Investigate training requirements
Identify resources needed to achieve rehabilitation
Develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) to achieve the identified
employment and/or independent living goals
What is a Rehabilitation Plan?
A rehabilitation plan is an individualized, written outline of the services, resources and criteria
that will be used to achieve employment and / or independent living goals. The plan is an
agreement that is signed by the Veteran and the VRC and is updated as needed to assist the
Veteran to achieve his/her goals.
Depending on their circumstances, veterans will work with their VRC to select one of the
following five tracks of services (see definitions for more detail):
 Reemployment (with a former employer)
 Direct job placement services for new employment
 Self-employment
 Employment through long term services including OJT, college, and other training
 Independent living services
What Happens after the Rehabilitation Plan is Developed?
After a plan is developed and signed, a VRC or case manager will continue to work with the
Veteran to implement the plan to achieve suitable employment and/or independent living. The
VRC or case manager will provide ongoing counseling, assistance, and coordinate services such
as tutorial assistance, training in job-seeking skills, medical and dental referrals, adjustment
counseling, payment of training allowance, if applicable, and other services as required to help
the Veteran achieve rehabilitation.
How can I get paid the Post-9/11 GI Bill rate for my Vocational Rehabilitation
program?
A Veteran participating in the VR&E Program who qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits can
elect to receive the GI Bill rate of pay instead of the regular Chapter 31 subsistence allowance. In
most cases, the GI Bill rate is higher than the regular Chapter 31 rate of pay. To elect the GI Bill
rate, the Veteran must have remaining eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and must formally
choose (or “elect”) the GI Bill rate. Your VRC can help you with election. Veterans participating
in the VR&E Program who elect the Post-9/11 rate are paid at the 100% rate level for their
school and training time, even if their Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility is less than 100%. Additional
benefits are also available through the VR&E Program, such as full payment of all books, fees
and supplies as well as other supportive services.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
Dependents Education Assistance Program
Chapter 35
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program offers education and
training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally
disabled due to a service-related condition or of Veterans who died while on active duty or as a
result of a service-related condition.
Type of Assistance
Benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job
training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and
refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Get the DEA pamphlet.
Available Benefits and Eligibility
You may receive up to 45 months of education benefits. Effective Oct. 1, 2013, some DEA
beneficiaries may be eligible for up to 81 months of GI Bill benefits if they use the Survivors and
Dependents Educational Assistance program in conjunction with an entitlement from other VA
education programs. View current payment rates.
If you are eligible for both Fry Scholarship and DEA, you will be required to make an
irrevocable election between the two programs when you apply. Dependents are not eligible to
receive both DEA and Fry Scholarship based on the same event (like a Servicemember dying in
the line of duty) unless he or she is a child whose parent died prior to August 1, 2011. A child
whose parent died before August 1, 2011, may be eligible for both benefits but he/she may only
use one program at a time and combined benefits are capped at a total of 81 months of full-time
training. In this situation, the two benefit programs cannot be used concurrently.
Eligibility
You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:
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A Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a serviceconnected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the armed forces.
A Veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected
disability was in existence.
A Servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
A Servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or
power.
A Servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service
connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.
This change is effective Dec. 23, 2006.
Other Factors to Consider
If you are a son or daughter and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you
must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is possible to begin before age 18
and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit. If you are in the armed forces,
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
you may not receive this benefit while on active duty. To pursue training after military service,
your discharge must not be under dishonorable conditions. VA can extend your period of
eligibility by the number of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. This
extension cannot generally go beyond your 31st birthday, there are some exceptions.
Please note that a child over 18 years old using DEA will not be eligible to receive Dependency
Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments from VA. Receiving DEA payments bars a child from
receiving DIC payments.
If you are a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of
death of the Veteran. If VA rated the Veteran permanently and totally disabled with an effective
date of three years from discharge, a spouse will remain eligible for 20 years from the effective
date of the rating. This change is effective Oct. 10, 2008, and no benefits may be paid for any
training taken prior to that date. A spouse using DEA (of the Fry Scholarship) remains eligible to
receive DIC payments from VA.
For surviving spouses of Servicemembers who died on active duty, benefits end 20 years from
the date of death.
Apply
To apply, take these steps depending on your situation:
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Make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. Take a look at our GI Bill
Comparison Tool for more information. VA can inform you and the school or company
about the requirements.
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To apply, obtain and complete VA Form 22-5490, Dependents Application for VA
Education Benefits. Send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over the state where
you will advance your education and training. If you are a son or daughter, under legal age, a
parent or guardian must sign the application. If you are eligible for both DEA and Fry, you
will be required to make an irrevocable election unless you are a child of a Servicemember
who died in the line-of-duty prior to August 1, 2011.
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If you have started your educational program, take your application to your school or
employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send both
forms to VA. (Note: Schools must contact their VA representative to receive this form.)
Additional Assistance
Those eligible for DEA benefits may also be eligible for this additional assistance:

Special Restorative Training VA may prescribe special restorative training where needed
to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability for the purpose of
enabling an eligible person to pursue a program of education, special vocational program, or
other appropriate goal. Medical care and treatment or psychiatric treatments are not included.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION
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Special Vocational Training VA may also approve these benefits for an eligible person who
is not in need of special restorative training, but who requires such a program because of a
mental or physical disability.
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Section 301 of Public Law 109-461 adds a new category to the definition of eligible person
for DEA benefits. The new category covers the spouse or child of a person who VA
determined has a service-connected permanent and total disability; and is at the time of VAs
determination is a member of the armed forces who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient
medical care, services, or treatment; and is likely to be discharged or released from service
for this service-connected disability. Persons eligible under this new provision may be
eligible for DEA benefits effective Dec. 23, 2006, the effective date of the law.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
Chapter 1607
REAP provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or
ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency declared by the
president or Congress.
Change in REAP Eligibility
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015. Some
individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no
longer eligible for REAP benefits.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill in many ways has replaced REAP because it also provides educational
assistance benefits for Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty on or after
September 11, 2001, and in many cases provides a greater benefit than REAP.
We are committed to ensuring that Reservists, National Guard members, and Veterans
understand this change, and we are working to identify individuals who no longer have eligibility
for REAP and inform them of potential eligibility to other benefit programs.
This change affects beneficiaries differently:
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Current REAP beneficiaries -- Veterans who were attending an educational institution on
November 24, 2015, or during the last semester, quarter, or term ending prior to that date, are
eligible to continue to receive REAP benefits until November 25, 2019.
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REAP beneficiaries not attending school -- Veterans who applied for REAP but were not
attending an educational institution on November 24, 2015, or during the last semester,
quarter, or term ending prior to that date, are no longer eligible to receive REAP benefits.
You may be eligible to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
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VETERANS BENEFIT CERTIFICATION

New REAP applicants – Veterans who have not enrolled in school and applied for REAP
benefits prior to November 25, 2015, are no longer eligible for REAP benefits. However, in
most cases, you will be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
You may be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits depending on the dates of your periods of
service. If we receive a new application for REAP on or after November 25, 2015, we will
evaluate your eligibility for all programs, including Post-9/11 GI Bill, and may award you
benefits under a different program.
If you’re using REAP but would like to learn how to make an irrevocable election to use the
Post-9/11 GI Bill instead, please call us at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (7 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST Monday –
Friday) to speak with an Education Call Center Agent.
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