Post – 911 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. This program will pay eligible individuals:
- tuition & fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition & fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning.
- a monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school (Buffalo area $1150.00)
- an annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment and percent of eligibility
- a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals
This benefit is payable only for training at an Institution of Higher Learning. If you are enrolled exclusively in online training you will not receive the housing allowance. If you are on active duty you will not receive the housing allowance or books & supplies stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.
For more information and specific charts click here (http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#CH33)
Transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:
- Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 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 election, is precluded by either standard policy (service or DoD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute, or
- Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period from August 1, 2009, through August 1, 2013. A service member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active duty or 20 qualifying years of reserve service.
Eligible transfer Dependents
An individual approved to transfer an entitlement to educational assistance under this section may transfer the individual’s entitlement to:
- The individual’s spouse.
- One or more of the individual’s children.
- Any combination of spouse and child.
A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits, at the time of transfer to receive transferred educational benefits.
Spouse:
- 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.
- Is not eligible for the monthly stipend or books and supplies stipend while the member is serving on active duty.
- Can use the benefit for up to 15 years after the service member’s last separation from active duty.
Child:
- 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/she has attained a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached 18 years of age.
- Is entitled to the monthly stipend and books and supplies 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.
Where do you start to transfer benefits?
First you must go to the DoD transferability application website to determine if your dependents are eligible to receive the transferred benefits. This website is only available to military members.
Link (Click here to visit that site (non-VA Link, Internet Explorer only))
More information click here (http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Transfer.htm)
Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB - AD) or Chapter 30
The MGIB provides military personal up to 36 months of education benefits. Funds may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight and on-the-job training, or any equivalent course. Benefits are payable for 10 years following military members separation or discharge.
If you are currently an active duty member, you may be eligible to participate in the Buy-up program. 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.
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The MGIB-SR is available to service men and women who are members of the select reserve. The select reserves encompass the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard. Funds may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight and on-the-job training, or any equivalent course.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
REAP is an educational benefit program established in 2005. The program is intended to provide educational assistance to members of all reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to the conflicts or national emergencies. Reservists who have been activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, may be entitled to educational benefits or an increase in benefits.
Some reservists may be eligible to participate in the Buy-up program. 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.
Post-Vietnam Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
VEAP is available to you if you served on active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and made contributions from your military pay to enroll in this education benefit program. Your contributions are match on a $2 for $1 basis by the government. Funds may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight and on-the-job training, or any equivalent course. You are eligible to use funds up to 10 years after your separation or discharge. Entitlement is limited to a maximum of 36 months.
For more information on military education, benefits visit the G.I.Bill Web site.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service – Chapter 31
Veterans who are within their 12 year basic period of eligibility and has 20% or greater service connected disability rating and an employment handicap. If the veteran has less the 20% or if the veteran has passed their 12 year basic period then a serious employment handicap must be found to establish enrolment.
If you have any questions about the program or eligibility contact Dr. Shaw-Burnett Coordinator of Student Veteran services.
To apply online and for more information Click here http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
Survivors’ and Dependents” Educational Assistance Program- Chapter 35
A Spouse or child of a veteran that is deceased or has a 100% service connected disability may be eligible for financial aid assistance. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These 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.
If you are child of a veteran who is 100% disabled or deceased you must be 18-26 to receive benefits for attending school or job training. YOU cannot receive this benefit if you are in the Armed Service on active duty. If you are discharged you cannot receive funds on a dishonorable charge. The VA can extend your eligibility time to match the amount of days you served in the military not to exceed 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. The spouse will be eligible 20 years past the veteran's date of disability rating.
For more information please click here http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH35/CH35_Pamphlet_General.htm
