Which Chapter Benefits Apply to You?

Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill
Veterans Education Assistance

An education benefit providing educational assistance to individuals who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Persons eligible for Chapters 30, 1606, or REAP benefits may elect to receive benefits under this new Post-9/11 GI Bill. The new benefit will be implemented on or about August 1, 2009. For more information please refer to the following web sites:

• New GI Bill Overview
• Post-9/11 Fact Sheet
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Post-9/11 GI Bill

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill
Active Duty Educational Assistance Program

An education program based on active duty service beginning on or after July 1, 1985 or you entered on duty before January 1, 1977 and served on active duty for any number of days during the period October 19, 1984 to June 30, 1985 and continued active duty through June 30, 1988.

Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill
Selective Reserve Educational Assistance

An education program that provides up to 36 months of benefits to members of the selective reserves. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, Army National Guard and the Air Guard.  It does not require a person to serve on active duty in the regular armed forces to qualify.

NEW!   Chapter 1607 - REAP

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress.  This new program makes certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Chapter 32 – VEAP

An education benefit for veterans who paid into VEAP while they were in the service beginning or after January 1, 1977 through June 30, 1985. You must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and enter active duty after December 31, 1976 but before July 1, 1985. In addition, you must have contributed to VEAP before April 1, 1987 and served long enough to qualify.

Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

A program that helps veterans obtain and keep lasting suitable jobs.  You must have served on or after September 16, 1940 and have a service connected disability which is at least 20% disabling as defined by VA.  Additionally you must need vocational rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap.  It must be less than 12 years since VA notified you of your eligibility.  Students who meet the above mentioned criteria must contact the Baltimore Regional Office at 410-230-4550 to schedule an interview for evaluation.

Chapter 35 – Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance

Survivors and Dependents Benefits provide educational benefits to spouses and children of veterans who either died while in service, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or became totally and permanently disabled as a result of their military service. 

Survivors and dependents are allowed 45 months of full-time benefits. Spouses have 10 years from the date of the veteran's effective date of permanent and total disability rating or the veteran's death. Dependents' benefits end on their 26th birthday or eight years from the veteran's effective date of permanent or total disability rating or the veteran's death, but not after the dependent's 31st birthday.  Please visit www.vba.va.gov/survivors/index.htm for additional survivor benefit information.

For additional information regarding eligibility, students should contact the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office at 1-800-827-1000.

Toll Free Numbers for Contacting VA