Navigating Veterans' Dependent Education Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide

The landscape of veterans' education benefits can be complex, but understanding the available options is crucial for veterans, service members, and their families. This article provides an overview of various federal and state programs designed to support the educational goals of veterans and their dependents.

Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of education benefits to assist veterans, service members, and their qualified family members. These benefits can cover college tuition, help with finding the right school or training program, and provide career counseling. If eligible for more than one VA education benefit, it's essential to elect which benefit to receive, as concurrent use may not be possible.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

For those who served on active duty after September 10, 2001, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) is a valuable resource. Eligibility criteria include:

Serving at least 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, whether continuous or interrupted.
Serving at least 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, and being discharged due to a service-connected disability.
Receiving a Purple Heart after September 10, 2001.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for tuition, a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for books. Benefits are available for undergraduate and graduate training for up to 36 months.

It is important to note that if an individual has only one period of service that begins on or after August 1, 2011, and qualifies for other VA education benefits, they can use only one education benefit. The choice is crucial, as switching between benefits, such as from the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD, or Chapter 30) to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, may not be possible later on. Those who opt for the Post-9/11 GI Bill may be eligible for a refund of part or all of the payments made into MGIB-AD.

Read also: Funding Military Education

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

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) program, also known as Chapter 30, provides education benefits to veterans and service members who have at least two years of active duty. To be eligible, all of the following must be true:

You were honorably discharged
You have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit
You didn’t decline enrollment in MGIB-AD when you started active duty
You meet other requirements

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. To access the MGIB-SR benefit, get your Notice of Basic Eligibility (DD Form 2384-1) from your unit. If the program is approved, you need to submit an Application for VA Benefits (VA Form 22-1990). If you have not started in the program, complete this online. If you have started, download the form, take your application and your Notice of Basic Entitlement to your school or employer. Once approved, your school or training program will need to certify your enrollment. You’ll then need to verify your enrollment at the end of each month to keep receiving payments. You can verify your enrollment online through the Web Automated Verification system (called “WAVE”) or by phone by calling 877-823-2378 (TTY: 711).

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31)

This program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. Also known as Chapter 31, VR&E helps eligible individuals with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and pursuing education if deemed necessary as part of the retraining process.

Dependent and Survivor Benefits

As the family member of a Veteran, you may be eligible for VA education benefits, including money for school or to help you cover expenses while you’re training for a job. If you’re the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, they may be able to transfer their education benefits to you. If you’re the child or surviving spouse of a service member or member of the Selected Reserve who died on or after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the Fry Scholarship. If you’re a Fry Scholar or you’re using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, find out if you’re eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Transfer of Benefits

Active-duty service members can request to transfer unused GI Bill® benefits to eligible dependents. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family.

Read also: Successful SVA Branding

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program can help cover tuition costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill's limitations at private or out-of-state institutions.

New York State Programs

New York State offers several programs to support veterans' education:

Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)

The Veterans Tuition Award is a New York State program that covers the cost of tuition at SUNY colleges. It funds undergraduate, graduate or vocational programs and is available for full-time and part-time study. VTA eligibility has been expanded to include all veterans who served a minimum of four years of active-duty service and are New York State residents.

MERIT Scholarship

The MERIT scholarship is a New York State program that covers the cost of attendance at SUNY colleges. It is available to members of the US Armed Forces and their children, spouses, and financial dependents of members of the US Armed Forces or state-organized militia who died or became severely and permanently disabled while performing their military duties, whether in combat or not.

NYS Regents Awards

The NYS Regents Awards provides $450 per year to students whose parent(s) served in the US Armed Forces during specific periods of war or national emergency, and as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40% or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war.

Additional Financial Aid and Support

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

In addition to utilizing VA Education Benefits, applicants should also apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will determine eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional funding.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA)

The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program covers up to 100% tuition and fees, not to exceed $166 per quarter credit hours, or $4,500.00 per fiscal year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). Tuition assistance is available to active duty, National Guard and Reserve Component service members. All service members interested in using TA must contact their Education Service Officer (ESO) or Education Counselor within their branch of service prior to enrolling in any university. As each military branch has its own TA application form and process you need to review the requirements for the specific branch. Prior to your course enrollment, you may be required to develop an education plan or complete an orientation. Once approved the service branch will send the tuition payment directly to the school.

State Waiver Programs

As a veteran, one may also qualify for additional tuition assistance through one of the state waiver programs. If eligible, these state waivers can supplement VA education benefits. The waiver is awarded only to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, to a maximum of 225 college-level credits, including credits transferred from other institutions of higher education. Waivers will not be awarded to students participating in fee-based courses or programs. The waiver is awarded to graduate and professional students pursuing their first graduate or professional degree at the University of Washington. You are not eligible for this tuition waiver if you have previously received a veteran’s tuition waiver/reduction at the University of Washington. Graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 10 credits to qualify. Professional students must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits to qualify. Waivers will not be awarded to students participating in fee-based courses or programs.

As a dependent, one may also qualify for additional assistance through the state waiver program. If eligible, the state waiver can supplement VA education benefits. The waiver is awarded only to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Total credits earned using the waiver may not exceed 250 credits. The child must be a Washington domiciliary between the age of 17 and 26. A child’s marital status does not affect eligibility. A surviving spouse must be a Washington domiciliary. A surviving spouse has 10 years from the date of death, total disability, or federal determination of prisoner of war or missing in action status of the eligible veteran to receive this benefit. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse is ineligible for the waiver of all tuition and fees. Certain fee-based courses/programs may be included.

Residency Considerations

If you are from out of state, make sure to review the Residency page to see if you are eligible for resident tuition. military personnel, and their dependents may be eligible for resident tuition in other ways. The main categories are listed on this page about resident tuition.

Navigating the Process

Seeking Guidance

The VA certifying officials at the Veterans Education Benefits Office can help navigate the different options for funding. They can guide you through the complex process of receiving benefits - from answering questions about the various education benefits, the application and certification process, and advocating on your behalf with the VA. If education benefits are going to be delayed, the Veterans Education Benefits staff will work with you to avoid late fees or registration holds and provide options for financial support during the delay.

Transfer Credits

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will evaluate all transfer credits from another school or the military. Students who have served, or who are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, are able to submit their Joint Services Transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Upon receipt, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will review the document and award credit for any entries listed at the lower baccalaureate level or higher. With the exception of credit for Physical Education, all other credits will come in as free electives.

Enrollment Certification Request

Each quarter you wish to use your benefits, you need to complete the Enrollment Certification Request. Before you start the online form you need to know your academic schedule for the quarter, and you need to have met with an academic adviser as they need to verify your degree plan and your academic schedule.

Tutorial Assistance

Tutorial Assistance is available if you are receiving VA education benefits (except REAP) at the half-time or more rate and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Eligibility Considerations

If you’ve received one of these discharge statuses, you may not be eligible for VA benefits. There are 2 ways you can try to qualify:

Apply for a discharge upgrade
Ask for a VA Character of Discharge review

If you served honorably in one period of service, you can apply for VA benefits using that honorable characterization.

Maximizing Benefits and Avoiding Pitfalls

Generally, if you’re eligible for more than 1 education benefit, you may be able to get up to a maximum of 48 months (or 4 years) of VA education benefits. This doesn’t include Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits (Chapter 31). You can use your benefits in many ways. For example, you can earn a degree, diploma, or certificate, or you can use your benefits for on-the-job training and apprenticeships. The UW does not engage in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments. Use the GI Bill® comparison tool to determine which benefit you are eligible for based on your time in service and military status. The benefit estimator compares the estimated benefits paid depending on the GI Bill® and school.

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