Education

VA Education Benefits: Complete Guide for Veterans, Service Members, and Families

VA education benefits help Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members pay for college, career training, apprenticeships, and other educational programs . The primary programs include the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapters 30 and 1606), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35), and the Fry Scholarship. Benefits can cover tuition, housing, books, and supplies. Eligibility varies by program, but most require honorable service or qualifying family status. Apply online through VA.gov.

Quick Facts

Which VA Education Programs Are Available?

There are several VA education programs, each with different eligibility requirements and benefit structures. Choose the one that best fits your situation.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit program for Veterans who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 . It provides funding for tuition, housing, and other educational expenses.

Eligibility: You must meet at least one of these criteria :

• Served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001

• Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, with any amount of service

• Served at least 30 continuous days on or after September 11, 2001, and were discharged with a service-connected disability

Benefit Components :

• Tuition and fees: Up to 100% of in-state tuition at public schools; up to $29,920.95 per year at private/foreign schools (effective August 1, 2025)

• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): Equal to E-5 with dependents BAH rate based on school ZIP code; online-only rate of $1,169 per month (effective August 1, 2025)

• Books and supplies stipend: Up to $1,000 per academic year ($41.67 per credit hour)

Benefit tiers based on qualifying active duty service :

Expiration: If your last qualifying duty ended before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years to use benefits. If it ended on or after January 1, 2013, benefits never expire .

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30)

The MGIB-AD is available to members who began active duty service for the first time after June 30, 1985, contributed $1,200, and Received an honorable discharge .

Eligibility :

• Served on Title 10 Active Duty or Title 10/32 AGR after June 30, 1985

• Completed DD Form 2366

• Contributed $1,200

• Received an honorable discharge

Monthly Rates (effective October 1, 2025) :

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606)

MGIB-SR provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits for members actively participating in the Selected Reserve (Army National Guard, Air National Guard) .

Eligibility :

• High School Diploma or GED

• Six-year Selected Reserve obligation after June 30, 1985

• Complete Initial Active Duty Training (IADT) or Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC)

• Remain a member in good standing

Monthly Rates :

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35)

DEA provides education and training benefits to the children and spouses of Veterans or service members who have died, are captured or missing, or are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability .

Eligibility for the Veteran/Service Member (one must be true) :

• Permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability

• Died as a result of a service-connected disability

• Died in the line of duty

• Missing in action or captured for more than 90 days

• Forcibly detained or interned for more than 90 days

Benefit details:

• Monthly payment sent directly to the student 

• Up to 36 months of benefits (if started on/after August 1, 2018) 

• Can be used for degree programs, career training, apprenticeships, and more

Time limits :

• For eligible children who became eligible on/after August 1, 2023: no time limit

• For children eligible before August 1, 2023: generally 8 years to use before age 26

• For spouses where the qualifying event happened on/after August 1, 2023: no time limit

• For spouses where the qualifying event happened before August 1, 2023: generally 10-year limit

Fry Scholarship

The Fry Scholarship provides education benefits to the children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001 . Benefits are similar to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, covering tuition, housing, and books.

Key difference from DEA: You cannot use both DEA and Fry Scholarship simultaneously if you qualify for both under the same qualifying event; you must choose one .

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps pay for higher tuition costs at out-of-state, private, or graduate schools that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t fully cover .

Eligibility :

• Must be eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level

• Attend a participating school

• School contributes funds that VA matches dollar-for-dollar

Note: Active duty personnel, AGRs, and their spouses using transferred benefits became eligible for Yellow Ribbon on August 1, 2022 .

VET TEC 2.0

VET TEC 2.0 helps eligible Veterans and active-duty service members develop skills for careers in high-tech industries . This program is limited to 4,000 paid participants per fiscal year .

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

The STEM Scholarship provides additional benefits for Veterans using Post-9/11 GI Bill or dependents using the Fry Scholarship who are enrolled in undergraduate STEM degree programs or working toward a teaching certification .

How to Apply for VA Education Benefits

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool on VA.gov to compare benefits by school and understand what you’ll receive .

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

You’ll need :

• Social Security number

• Bank account direct deposit information

• Education and military history

• Information about the school or training program you plan to attend

Step 3: Complete the Correct Application Form

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Online: The fastest way to apply is through VA.gov .

By mail: Download the appropriate form from VA.gov and mail it to the VA regional processing office listed on the form .

With help: Work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative for assistance .

Step 5: Notify Your School

After applying, tell the certifying official at your school that you applied for VA education benefits. Ask them to submit your enrollment information online .

Other Education and Training Opportunities

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Tuition Assistance is available while still on active duty for enlisted personnel, officers, and warrant officers across all service branches . It provides up to $250 per credit hour, not exceeding $4,500 annually .

Army Credentialing and Continuing Education Services for Soldiers (ACCESS)

ACCESS provides education programs and services for Soldiers including :

• Academic and vocational counseling

• Functional Academic Skills Training (FAST)

• High School Completion

• Postsecondary programs

• Tuition Assistance (via ArmyIgnitED)

• Testing services

• Joint Services Transcript (JST)

Air Force and Navy Community Colleges

The Air Force and Navy both offer accredited online associate degrees at no cost to enlisted service members . The Naval Community College offers 16 fully online associate degrees and 19 professional certificates .

Career Developmental Education (Air Force/Space Force)

Career Development Education cultivates highly specialized professionals through programs at Air University, Air Force Institute of Technology, and other institutions . This includes professional military education (PME), specialized continuing education, and research opportunities.

IBM SkillsBuild

IBM SkillsBuild offers more than 1,000 free online courses for both beginners and advanced learners to start or advance careers .

Recent Updates

Rudisill Supreme Court Decision (2025)

The Rudisill decision allows Veterans with two or more qualifying periods of active duty who are eligible for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty to qualify for up to 48 months of combined benefits . Veterans impacted by Rudisill are no longer required to waive MGIB CH 30 eligibility to use Post-9/11 benefits .

New Post-9/11 GI Bill Qualifying Service

National Guard members who have served full-time active service under 32 U.S.C. §502(f) can now include these missions as eligible service for the Post-9/11 GI Bill .

VA Updates for Perkins vs. Collins

Previous elections to waive MGIB Chapter 30 to use Post-9/11 GI Bill can now be revoked .

Common Questions

1. What is the GI Bill?

The GI Bill is a VA education benefit program that helps Veterans, service members, and their families pay for college, career training, and other educational programs . There are several GI Bill programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and Montgomery GI Bill (Chapters 30 and 1606).

2. Who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

You may be eligible if you served at least 90 days on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, received a Purple Heart with any service, or served 30 continuous days and were discharged for a service-connected disability . An honorable discharge is required.

3. How much does the Post-9/11 GI Bill pay for tuition?

At public schools, it pays up to 100% of in-state tuition. At private/foreign schools, it covers up to $29,920.95 per year (effective August 1, 2025). The Yellow Ribbon Program can help cover additional costs at private or out-of-state schools .

4. What is the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)?

MHA is a monthly payment for students attending school more than half-time. It’s equal to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for an E-5 with dependents, based on the school’s ZIP code. Online-only students receive a reduced rate of $1,169 per month (effective August 1, 2025) .

5. Can I use GI Bill benefits while on active duty?

Yes. The GI Bill can be used while still on active duty. However, active duty service members are not eligible for the Monthly Housing Allowance .

6. How do I transfer my GI Bill benefits to my family?

Service members with at least six years of service can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouse or children. You must submit the transfer request through milConnect while still serving and commit to an additional four years of service .

7. What is the DEA program (Chapter 35)?

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) provides education benefits to the children and spouses of Veterans who have died, are missing, or are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability . It provides monthly payments for up to 36 months of training.

8. How long do I have to use my GI Bill benefits?

For Post-9/11 GI Bill: If your last qualifying service ended before January 1, 2013, you have 15 years. If it ended on or after January 1, 2013, benefits never expire . For DEA children, there may be an 8-year time limit before age 26 depending on eligibility date .

9. Can I use both the Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Due to the Rudisill decision, some Veterans may qualify for up to 48 months of combined benefits if eligible for both programs. You no longer need to waive MGIB eligibility to use Post-9/11 benefits .

10. What is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon Program helps cover tuition costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s public school tuition cap at private, out-of-state, or graduate schools. Participating schools contribute funds that the VA matches dollar-for-dollar .

11. How do I apply for VA education benefits?

Apply online through VA.gov, by mail using the appropriate VA form (22-1990 for Veterans, 22-5490 for dependents), or with help from an accredited representative .

12. What schools can I attend with VA education benefits?

You can attend any school with VA-approved programs. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to find schools and compare benefits .

Key Takeaways

• VA education benefits include the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapters 30 and 1606), DEA (Chapter 35), and the Fry Scholarship.

• Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition (up to 100% at public schools), Monthly Housing Allowance (E-5 with dependents rate), and a book stipend (up to $1,000/year).

• Eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill requires 90+ days of active duty service after September 11, 2001, with honorable discharge.

• The Rudisill decision (2025) allows eligible Veterans to receive up to 48 months of combined GI Bill benefits if eligible for multiple programs.

• DEA (Chapter 35) benefits are available to spouses and children of Veterans with permanent/total service-connected disabilities, death, or MIA/POW status.

• Military Tuition Assistance provides up to $4,500/year for active duty service members while still serving.

• Apply for VA education benefits online through VA.gov, by mail, or with help from an accredited VSO representative.

• Benefits can be used for degree programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, licensing/certification tests, and more.

Official Resources

• VA Education Benefits: va.gov/education

• Apply for VA Education Benefits: va.gov/education/how-to-apply

• GI Bill Comparison Tool: va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool

• VA Forms: va.gov/va-forms

• ArmyIgnitED: armyignited.cce.af.mil

• Joint Services Transcript (JST): jst.doded.mil