Suppose you are a veteran contemplating returning to school or enrolling in college for the first time. In that case, you are right to ask questions about how the GI Bill works. For example, your question may be; what are the available veteran education benefits? Will I get work after my education? This detailed guide explores all the details regarding the GI Bill online classes and the associated veteran education benefits.
Over the years in our nation’s history, the GI Bill has provided tremendous assistance to millions of military servicemen and women. The bill assists those wanting to pursue academic degrees or vocational training. It is a popular benefit for veterans.
For those still contemplating whether they want to take on further education, statistics from NCES show that over 10,000 applicants apply to study courses of interest. The veteran educational benefits empower veterans as they transition into their post-military lives and careers. Continue reading to learn more!
Article Navigation: Veteran Education Benefits | What Can Cause Delay of Veteran Education Benefits? | What Is the GI Bill? | Who is Eligible for the GI Bill? | What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill? | What Happens After I Apply for Post 9/11 GI Benefits? | The Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty and Veterans (MGIB-AD) | How to Apply for Montgomery GI Bill Education Benefits | Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR): Why It Matters | How To Apply for Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves | The Fry Scholarship | How to Apply for a Fry Scholarship | The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA) | Tuition Assistance for Veterans | GI Bill Online Classes Start Today!
Veteran Education Benefits
Serving in the military comes with many educational benefits that you can use while on active duty or after leaving the service. In a nutshell, veteran education benefits are the help offered by the government to veterans, service members, and their qualified family members. These benefits include college tuition grants, help finding the right school or vocational training program, and free career counseling.
When deciding to take advantage of Veteran Education Benefits, you must consider the following:
Yearly Tuition Allowance
During active service, members have access to up to $4,700 a year in tuition assistance. Your school will receive tuition assistance on a per-class basis.
Types Of GI Benefits
GI Benefits, also known as Veteran Education Benefits, are the most sought-after government packages. The GI Bill embodies several Department of Veterans Affairs education programs, including:
- The Post-9/11 GI Bill
- The Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty and Veterans (MGIB-AD)
- Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR).
- The Fry Scholarship
- The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA)
It’s imperative to know that you can be eligible for more than one educational benefit. Knowing when to use each of the above benefits for your situation can maximize your benefits. Try as much as possible to utilize most of your allocated veteran benefits.
What Can Cause Delay of Veteran Education Benefits?
In some cases, certain things may hinder prompt payment of veteran education benefits. To be on the safe side during the application process, try avoiding situations that can cause any delay in payments. These situations may include any of the following:
- The duration of the veteran education training
- Repeated or audited courses
- Change or addition of major programs
- Add or drop in credit hours
- Developmental education courses that do not apply to the degree
- Failure to submit your official transcripts from previous colleges and universities
Government regulations governing the GI Bill require that all encountered problems be communicated on time to the Veteran Affairs to make corrections accordingly. Failure to inform the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs may cause withholding or overpayment of benefits.
What Is the GI Bill?
To understand what the veteran GI Bill entails, let’s dig deeper into its history. During the early 1940s, as World War II escalated, the United States government began planning ways to help veterans return to civilian life. They devised strategies to help the economy grow in the nation’s best interest.
The GI Bill, also known as Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, refers to any US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)education benefit, such as educational grants and stipends, given to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
Although the GI Bill has changed in recent years, it has not stopped providing tremendous educational opportunities to thousands of men and women in different parts of the country.
Who is Eligible for the GI Bill?
According to the research findings on the VA platform, you may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Eligibility requires that you serve on active duty for at least 90 days. Dates of service must occur after September 10, 2001, and you must have left with an honorable discharge.
Citizens who are not veterans can also benefit from the GI Bill. Suppose you are yet to utilize your GI Bill benefits. In that case, you are free to transfer all or a significant portion of the available funds to your wife or biological children. Based on the available information on the VA platform, as of 2018, about 24% of people using these veteran educational benefits are not veterans themselves.
What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an educational assistance program created by Congress for individuals with active duty service after September 10, 2001. The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to thirty-six months (4 academic years) of veteran educational benefits to worthy service members and outstanding veterans for:
- College education
- Business technical or vocational courses
- Correspondence courses
- Apprenticeship or job training
- Flight training
- Licensing and testing programs
Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits
The Post-9/11 GI education benefits are among military service members’ most common GI benefits. Ease of accessibility to these benefits may sometimes depend on the individual’s situation or need.
The number of days served on active duty determines your Post-9/11 GI benefits. These benefits cover:
- Tuition fees
- Housing stipend
- Book stipend
One significant aspect of the Post-9/11 benefits is that a spouse or family member can use them.
Who is Eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill?
- Veterans and service members who served at least 90 days on active duty, guard, and reserve duty since September 10, 2001
- Service members and veterans who served for 30-continuous days after September 10, 2001, and were discharged due to service-oriented disabilities
For individuals who are no longer on active duty, you must have received an honorable discharge to qualify for the veteran education benefits.
Applying for Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits
The first step in applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits is determining whether you are eligible for the veteran benefits. Before applying, you must have all the relevant documents ready before embarking on the application process. Also, endeavor to answer all the pertinent questions of the application.
The average timeframe to process Post-9/11 education claims is 30 days.
The following documents are needed to apply for the Post-9/11 Bill benefits:
- Your valid social security number
- Personal bank account information
- Military and academic history
- Necessary information about the institution or training facility you want to attend
You can apply for the Post-9/11 education benefits online via the veteran application platform.
Furthermore, you can choose to apply via:
- Electronic mail
Reach out to the institution and request an application form via email. Complete the requested fields in the application and mail it back to the Veteran Affairs Regional Claims processing office in the same region as your school. You can access a list of regional claims processing offices via the VA platform. - In-person
Go to the veteran affairs regional office and seek the assistance of any available staff. Use the veteran finder application to locate a regional office near you or work with your school’s certifying official. They usually work in the Financial Aid or Registrar’s office at the school. - Services of seasoned experts
You can opt for the services of trained experts called an accredited representative to request help while enrolling for education benefits. But, this is not necessary if you exhaustively read through this detailed guide.
What Happens After I Apply for Post 9/11 GI Benefits?
Once you apply, you will not be able to make changes to your application. Still, suppose you have questions regarding your application or the veteran education benefits. In that case, you can call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. In cases where additional documents are required, promptly upload them through the GI Bill website.
If processed successfully, a “certificate of eligibility” will be sent to you by email. After that, you can take the valid certificate of eligibility to the financial aid office of your chosen school. The institution will then validate your enrollment with the Veterans Affairs regional office.
The Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty and Veterans (MGIB-AD)
The evolving needs of today’s veterans regarding education has changed the Montgomery GI Bill over the last decade. The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) offers up to three years of education benefits to eligible veterans and dedicated service members for programs such as:
- Advanced college education
- Business education
- Technical or vocational courses
- Correspondence courses
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job training
- Flight training
- Refresher training
Eligible service members and veterans have ten years to use their MGIB benefits. Still, the time limit can differ depending on the condition.
Who Is Eligible for Montgomery GI Bill Education Benefits?
- Current service members that have served at least two years on active duty
- Veterans—there are four categories of veteran eligibility depending on when you enrolled and how long you served on active duty
What are the Benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill?
Service members and veterans receive up to $2,200 per month for full-time institutional education.
How to Apply for Montgomery GI Bill Education Benefits
Before applying for the Montgomery GI benefits, you must first determine your eligibility for these benefits by reaching out to the Veteran Affairs.
After checking your eligibility, follow the steps below to hasten the application process.
Step 1.
Complete the Application for Benefits (22-1995) form on the US Department of Veteran Affairs platform.
- Once the processing of the benefits application is verified, the VA will issue a Certificate of Eligibility to you by mail. The Veteran Affairs (VA) will not send the Certificate of Eligibility to the college; it is your responsibility to send a copy to your chosen school.
- According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, Montgomery GI Bill processing takes 35 calendar days.
Step 2.
If you have used your educational benefits at another school and want to change schools, you must complete the Change of Place or Training (22-1995) form instead of the 22-1990.
Step 3.
Submit a Plan of Attendance (POA) each academic year in which you request benefits.
Step 4.
Certification of benefits.
- After successful registration and the provision of receipt of all required documentation, your chosen institution will then forward an Enrollment Certification (22-1999) to the Veteran Affairs regional office.
Step 5.
Validate attendance.
- Sign in to the WAVE website on the last calendar day of every month to confirm your enrollment.
Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR): Why It Matters
The Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves is an education program that provides up to 36 months of veteran academic benefits to dedicated members of the Selected Reserve. The members include the Naval Officers, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard reserves. Also, it consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
Eligible reserve members may use education benefits for the following:
- College, business, technical or vocational school
- On-the-job training and apprenticeship programs for license or certification fees
- Tuition assistance for correspondence courses
- National tests
And in some cases:
- Remedial, deficiency, and refresher training
- Flight training
You can also determine if your school or program qualifies for benefits in the comparison tool.
Who Is Eligible For Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves?
You may be eligible for the MGIB-SR if the following information is correct if you:
- Signed a six-year mandate to serve in the Selected Reserve after June 30, 1985
- Participated and completed your Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT)
- Obtained a valid GED or high school diploma before you finished your IADT
- Are in good standing in a Selected Reserve unit
Generally, Montgomery GI Bill benefits terminate when you leave the Selected Reserves.
How much does Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves pay?
The type of training you receive determines your monthly benefit. If you are in college, your payment depends on whether you attend full-time or half-time.
You can receive up to $450 per month for full-time institutional education.
To check the current Educational Assistance Allowance, you can use the current rate tables for your personal estimation.
How To Apply for Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves
Adhere to the steps below when applying for the MGIB-SR veteran education benefits:
- Get the DD Form 2384-1, Notice of Basic Eligibility, when you become eligible for the program from your unit.
Note: Your unit will also code your eligibility into the DoD personnel system so the VA may verify your eligibility.
- Ensure that your selected program qualifies for VA training. If you are unsure, VA will contact you and the school or institution about the requirements.
- Obtain and complete the VA form.
After that, send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over the state where you will train.
For applicants that have started the training program, take your application and Notice of Basic Eligibility to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999 (available offline) Enrollment Certification, and send all the forms to the VA.
How Long does it take the Veteran Affairs (VA) to Decide?
The average time limit to process Montgomery GI Bill For Selected Reserves is 35 Days.
The Fry Scholarship
The Fry Scholarship honors the memory of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John D. Fry, 28, of Lorena, Texas. Just having a week left in his Iraq tour in 2006, Fry was severely injured in his hand and received the option of returning home with a Bronze Star. John D. Fry ignored the offer and pleaded to go on another mission to defuse bombs. Unfortunately, Sergeant Fry was killed on March 8, 2006, by a deadly explosive bomb in Iraq, making his wife a widow with three young children.
What is the Fry Scholarship?
The Fry Scholarship pays veteran education benefits to the surviving spouses and children of diligent service members who passed away during active duty after September 10, 2001.
Wives of the fallen heroes can also use the Fry Scholarship for fifteen years from the service member’s death anniversary or until they remarry.
Time Limits of the Fry Scholarship
The Fry Scholarship has a time limit. Dependent children who qualify become eligible as of their 18th birthday, but this benefit expires when the dependent reaches their 33rd birthday.
Who Is Eligible for the Fry Scholarship?
You are eligible for the John D. Fry Scholarship benefits if you are the child or surviving spouse of:
- Service personnel of the Armed Forces who passed away “on duty” while serving the country on or after September 11, 2001
- Service personnel of the Armed Forces who died while not on active duty on or after September 11, 2001
- A service member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability on or after September 11, 2001
What Are the Benefits of the Fry Scholarship for Veterans?
- The exact tuition fees are paid directly to the institution for all public school in-state students.
- A monthly housing allowance
- A books and supplies stipend
Note: There is a maximum of $25,165 in tuition fees per academic year for those attending private or foreign schools.
How to Apply for a Fry Scholarship
Use the detailed steps below to apply for a Fry Scholarship accurately:
- Choose a school that suits you. Most importantly, ensure that your program qualifies for VA benefits.
- Complete the Dependents Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490) and forward it to the veteran affairs regional office where you want to attend college.
- If you have already commenced your academic program, ask a certifying representative from your college or boss to fill out a VA Enrollment Certification (VA Form 22-1999).
If you qualify for the Fry Scholarship, you must decide which program you want to undertake. But remember, once you choose, you can’t change your mind.
Apply and wait for 35 days for the VA to mail you. You will receive either a letter of acceptance or rejection.
Note: If you aren’t legally an adult, your parent or guardian must sign the application.
The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA)
Veteran Education Benefits for Dependents, also known as the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance, offers robust academic and training opportunities to deserving dependents of specific veterans.
The DEA offers the following benefits:
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job training
- College or graduate degree programs
- Career-training certificate programs
Who Is Eligible for a Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance Benefits?
To be eligible for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of a service member:
- Who died, is missing, or was permanently disabled while on duty
- Who was dismissed as a result of a service-related condition
What Are the Benefits of the DEA?
Eligible individuals can receive up to $1,300 per month for full-time institutional education.
How to Apply for a Dependents Education Assistance
As a rule, check with college officials to know whether your chosen program qualifies for VA benefits.
Steps To Take:
- Apply Online or
- Apply by mail
Note: You will need to fill out a Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-5490) when applying by mail. You will mail it to the regional processing office in your state. You can find the address of the regional processing office on the last page of the form.
Tuition Assistance for Veterans
Deciding to pursue a degree may be difficult. Tuition Assistance can ease the financial concerns of eligible individuals considerably since it now pays up to 100 percent of tuition expenses for credit hours costing $250 or less.
The military tuition assistance, also known as Top-Up Program, is an additional benefit intended to supplement tuition assistance for service members with GI Bill benefits.
Who Is Eligible for a Tuition Assistance (Top-Up Program)?
To qualify for the tuition assistance benefits, a person must be:
- Approved for federal tuition assistance by a military department and eligible for GI Bill benefits.
What Are the Benefits of a Military Tuition Assistance (Top-Up) Program?
Tuition assistance will pay up to 80% of tuition fees, while the Top-Up program will pay the remainder of the cost.
GI Bill Online Classes Start Today!
Searching for appropriate veteran education benefits may seem complicated. Still, by following the detailed guide above, you will be on the right path to uncovering the veteran benefits that suit your needs. You can explore more education resources for other relevant information that will be beneficial to your quest for education-friendly government programs.