Disabled veterans and qualified family members have access to various education benefits aimed toward advancing employment and careers by providing careers counseling and college tuition payments.
There are a number of resources available to veterans and individuals seeking assistance with education planning and funding. The Disabled Veterans Resource Center refers veterans to various organizations if they are in need of these services.
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) those serving 36 months or more of active duty are eligible for education benefits paying tuition, housing, books, and supplies for up to 36 months (four years of courses at nine months per year).
For veterans who served 36 months, GI Bill covers the total cost of in-state public college tuition, and up to $26,043 per year of private college tuition. Those who served between 18-24 months active duty qualify for 70% GI Bill benefits.
- GI Bill Comparison Tool – use this tool to calculate how much your GI Bill benefits cover at your chosen college.
- Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship - eligible veterans and dependents in STEM degree programs may be eligible to extend their post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits by up to nine months or $30,000.
- Veterans Technology Education (VET TEC) – veterans interested in computer science (programming, software, processing, media applications) may be eligible for full time technology education and housing benefits.
- Yellow Ribbon Program – provides additional funds for eligible colleges for veterans granted 36 months post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) – veterans with a service-connected disability that limits their ability to work may be eligible for benefits covering career counseling and planning, job training, apprenticeships, college tuition, and independent living services.
- Fry Scholarships – surviving dependents of a veteran who died in the line of duty or a selected reserve member who died from a service-connected disability may qualify for up to 36 months of full in-state public school tuition costs, up to $22,805.34 per year in private or out-of-state school costs, housing benefits, and books and supplies costs.
- VA Education Benefits for Survivors and Dependents – surviving dependents may qualify for chapter 35 benefits or job training, including money for tuition, housing, books and supplies.
- Educational and Career Counseling - chapter 36 – veterans and dependents may be eligible for free career and educational planning, career counseling, and resume support.
Veterans discharged before January 1, 2013 have 15 years to use their post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits. Veterans discharged after that date can apply their education benefits at any time. Veterans can also transfer their GI Bill benefits to a family member during active duty, or can revoke such a transfer at a later date.
However, the post-9/11 GI Bill has its limitations. Veterans who wish to pursue more than four years of college, wish to attend a private college, or aren’t eligible for post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will need to use alternative veteran education benefits.
Several benefit types exist for veterans who are not eligible for post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
These include: