Using Your VA Benefits for Education

With a million veterans enrolled in college under the new GI Bill ®, it’s clear that soldiers recognize the value of a good education.

A college degree opens new doors and can mean making more money to support your family. In 2017, bachelor’s degree recipients had median weekly earnings of $1,173, compared to just $712 for people with a high school diploma and no college experience. 

Many veterans find that the skills they learned in the military go unrecognized in the civilian world. You might have managed a large group of soldiers, mastered the art of strategic planning, communicated in a wide range of high-stress circumstances, and learned never to lose your cool. Research consistently shows that veterans think civilian managers will recognize these skills. Too often, though, they don’t. Especially if you seek a job in which few or no employees have a military background. The people in charge of hiring are unlikely to recognize what you know and where you’ve been.

A college degree opens new doors and can mean making more money to support your family. Going to school increases your employability, giving you significant financial security.

A college degree levels the playing field. Employers increasingly want staff members with degrees, even for jobs that previously did not require them. In 2018, nine out of 10 new jobs required a college degree. Going to school increases your employability, giving you significant financial security.

The VA offers numerous education benefit programs that may help you go to school. They include:

Post-9/11 GI Bill ®

Veterans with at least 90 days of total service after September 10, 2001, are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® if they are honorably discharged. 

The payment amount depends on how long a soldier served, as well as the type of school they attend. You can find your eligibility percentage using this tool. Those eligible for 100 percent compensation can get all of their tuition at a public, in-state school covered. If a veteran chooses a private or foreign school instead, the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® pays up to $24,476.79 per year. Purple Heart recipients and those with two years of active duty service can receive compensation at the 100 percent level. 

The program also offers a housing allowance based on the zip code where the student resides. The VA pays up to 36 months of educational expenses. Tuition and fees will be paid directly to the school, not to the student. In most cases, a student can combine the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® with other benefits, including the Montgomery  GI Bill ®. 

A unique aspect of the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® is that eligible veterans can elect to transfer a portion of their benefits to family. It’s important to speak to a student aid advisor or financial planner before doing so, to ensure that all parties get sufficient funding for their education. This transfer right means that some dependents may also be eligible for the GI Bill ®.

Montgomery GI Bill ®

The Montgomery  GI Bill ® extends benefits to soldiers who paid into the program. Eligible active duty beneficiaries pay $100 per month for 12 months. Once students have completed their minimum service obligation, they become eligible for compensation. Reservists with a six-year obligation are eligible for the program at the end of that obligation. The program pays up to $2,050 per month in educational expenses for a maximum of 36 months.

Students must use their benefits within 15 years of leaving the military. If you left the military after 2013, you’re eligible for the Forever GI Bill ® instead. 

Students can combine the Montgomery GI Bill ® with most other programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®, when a student is eligible for both programs. So if your benefits are expiring soon, now is the time to enroll. 

Reserve Educational Assistance Program 

The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) offers assistance to Reservists who are called to war or a national emergency. Beginning November 29, 2019, REAP benefits are sunsetted. Many people eligible for REAP benefits are eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill ® payments.

Fry Scholarship 

The Marine Gunnery John David Fry Scholarship benefits spouses and children of soldiers who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. The program offers up to 36 months of benefits. Students who attend public schools as in-state students can get 100 percent of their tuition and fees covered. Those who elect private or foreign schools are eligible for $24,476.79 per academic year. 

Beneficiaries cannot combine a Fry Scholarship with Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance. So if you are eligible for both, talk to a financial aid counselor about which program offers more benefits in your specific situation. In most cases, a Fry Scholarship is the superior option. 

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program 

The children, dependents, and survivors of eligible veterans can get cash payments to help fund college or a vocational training program through Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA). This program does not directly fund tuition costs, but can help offset them with monthly cash payments. 

The specific amounts you are eligible for depend on when you enroll and whether or not you are enrolled full-time. Students enrolled in colleges as of 2019 were eligible for $1,248 per month. Enrollees who are also eligible for the Fry Scholarship must choose between the two programs. Once you select one program over the other, that selection is irrevocable. 

Yellow Ribbon Program 

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a component of the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®. It covers a portion of tuition the GI Bill ® doesn’t. For example, a student might be eligible for this program if they attend a private or out-of-state school. The amount of compensation a student receives depends on the government’s agreement with the school. In some cases, a student may receive sufficient funding to cover the entire coverage gap left by the Post-9/11 GI Bill ®. 

Traditional SNU students hit the $24,000 limit in their second semester. Most students can get an additional $500 from the VA and an additional $500 from SNU to cover the gap. Depending on the student’s needs and similar factors, the actual value of this benefit ranges from $1 to $5000. 

Veterans Readiness & Employment

Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) helps veterans with service-related disabilities prepare for and find a job. The program covers a portion of living expenses as a former service member pursues vocational training. The specific compensation amount depends on factors such as the number of dependents a soldier has. For a veteran in full-time training with no dependents, the monthly payment is $631.85.

The VA offers a number of options to help veterans apply for education benefits. Visit the VA online to assess your benefits eligibility, download the forms for each educational program for which you are eligible, and get answers to frequently asked questions.

You can also apply in person and get application assistance at a regional VA office. Find your local application center here. For more help with applications or to request an application in the mail, call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551). 

A few simple tips for communicating with the VA can make the process easier. Try the following: 

• Apply for benefits as early as possible so that long wait times and follow-up requests don’t delay your education. 
• If you need help with something, go to a regional VA office so you can speak to someone in person. 
• Ask specific, direct questions if you have a problem. 
• Consider getting help from someone who is more experienced at dealing with the VA, such as an advocate from your school. 

Students at schools that cater to veterans may also be able to get help in person. Many registrar offices offer application help. At SNU, we offer a dedicated Veterans Educational Transitions Success Center (VETS Center) fully staffed by veterans. Our team can help you identify all programs for which you are eligible and help you complete your application. 

Veterans should also complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This helps the U.S. Department of Education identify programs for which you may be eligible, including subsidized and unsubsidized student loans, grants, and state aid programs. SNU’s Office of Financial Aid can answer all of your pressing financial aid questions.