VA Benefits

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) is also known as Chapter 30. This benefit applies to veterans who began their first active duty service after June 30, 1985. Veterans who are eligible for this benefit must possess an honorable discharge. One month of benefits from MGIB-AD will be paid out for each month of active duty. MGIB-AD benefits are paid out on a monthly basis directly to the veteran.

For more information on Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), click the link below.

Chapter 1606 is also known as Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve. This is an educational benefit for anyone actively in the Selected Reserve. Eligibility for this benefit is a 6-year obligation to serve in the Reserve and in required trainings. Benefits are paid directly to the reservists on a monthly basis.

For more information on the Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve (MGB-SR), click the link below.

The National Guard Education Program allows you to serve while pursuing a college education. There are many assistance programs to help you pay for tuition and other expenses.

Talk to your Educational Services Officer or visit the National Guard website to learn more.

Chapter 33 is known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans who have served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 11th 2001 will be eligible for this benefit. In order to be eligible a veteran must be honorable discharged from Armed Forces, be released from Armed Forces characterized as honorable. Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit holders are entitled to 36 months of education assistance. Veterans are eligible to use their benefits up to 15 years from their date of discharge with at least 90 consecutive days of services. Payments of the Post-9/11 GI Bill include tuition and fees, monthly housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

For more information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, click the link below.

Chapter 1607 is also known as Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP). Active members of the Selected Reserve called to active duty and members of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) called to active duty supporting an operation or a national emergency are entitled to the benefits. Service members serving a consecutive 90 days or more may be eligible for Chapter 1607 or Chapter 33 but will only be able to claim one in order to obtain benefits. Benefits are paid directly to the veteran on a monthly basis. Veterans who have applied for REAP but have not attended school prior to November 25th 2015 are no longer eligible, however they may be eligible for Chapter 33. 

Chapter 35 is known as Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance or DEA. This benefit is given to dependents of veterans connected permanent and total disability, service members who are MIA, service members who are being detained by a foreign government or service member who have died in the line of duty. Children between the ages of 18 and 26 or with some exceptions are eligible for this benefit. Surviving spouses of a permanently disabled or deceased veterans are also eligible. However surviving spouses benefits will stop if they remarry, but when continue if the remarriage ends in death or divorce.

For more information on the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), click the link below.

Chapter 31, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E), formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation or Voc Rehab, helps with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans and Service members in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.

For more information, , review the VR&E wepage on the VA website.

Veteran Tuition Award (VTA) are New York state funded aware to full-time or part-time degree-seeking students. This application must be submitted every year to be eligible for payment. Awards may vary depending on the eligibility for each student.