Veteran's Education Programs Quick Finds

A discharge or release for one of the following reasons could result in a reduction of the required length of active duty:

• Convenience of the government;
   
• Disability;
   
• Hardship;
   
• A medical condition existing before service;
   
• A medical condition that is not a disability or due to your misconduct but that interfered with your performance of duty; or
   
• Certain reductions in force.

You are not eligible under Categories 1 or 2 if you received a commission after completing an ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) scholarship program after December 31, 1976. This scholarship pays a stipend and all educational expenses, i.e., tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

If you are a graduate of an ROTC program, you may still be eligible for chapter 30 under one of the following conditions:

• If you received a commission after becoming eligible for chapter 30.

• If you completed ROTC without a full scholarship.
   
• If you received a commission after September 30, 1996. You must have received less than $2,000 during each year of your ROTC program.

  The following types of active duty do not establish eligibility:

  • Time assigned by the military to a civilian institution to take the same course provided to civilians;
     
  • Time served as a cadet or midshipman at a service academy; or
     
  • Time spent on active duty for training in the National Guard or Reserve.

    NOTE: Time assigned by the military to a civilian institution and time served at a military or service academy does not break the continuity of active duty required to establish eligibility. Also, active duty for training does count toward the four years in the Selected Reserve under the 2 by 4 program.

• Make sure the program which you choose is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, contact this office for assistance.
   
• Complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. This office has this form on hand and can assist you in its filling out and forwarding. If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment approved by your base Education Services Officer, and you must have your service verified by your Commanding Officer. If you are not on active duty, bring in copy 4 of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

NOTE: If you have started training, bring your application to us (or fill one out with us) and we will have you complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send both forms to VA.

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1. They suffered a service-connected disability or disabilities in active service, and are receiving at least 20 percent compensation or would do so but for receipt of military retirement pay. Veterans with a 10 percent disability also may be found eligible if they have a serious employment handicap.
2. They were discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions or are hospitalized awaiting separation for a service-connected disability.
3. They need vocation rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap caused by their service-connected disability.

Vocational Rehabilitation Application Form: http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/28-1900.pdf

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1. A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
2. A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
3. A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
4. A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.

Period of Eligibility
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, 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 go beyond your 31st birthday.

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.

Obtain and complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance. Send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over the State where you will train. If you are a son or daughter, under legal age, a parent or guardian must sign the application.

If you have started training, take your application to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send both forms to VA.

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You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances.

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program.

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

1. 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 September 30, 1990;
2. Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT);
3. 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;
4. Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.

If your Reserve or National Guard unit is deactivated during the period October 1, 1991, through September 30, 1995, or you are involuntarily separated (e.g., reduction in force) from Reserve or National Guard service during this same period, you will retain eligibility for MGIB - SR benefits for the full 10 year eligibility period. 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.

You should then make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.

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.

If you have started training, take your application and your Notice of Basic Eligibility to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send all the forms to VA.