VA Education Programs

Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Your benefits are payable for 15 years from release from active duty. For more information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001 as well as those discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. It will pay:

Tuition and fees paid directly to the school (in-state tuition rates only) E-book charges are NOT included in this. Students must pay for e-books out of pocket.

Monthly allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) based on E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. (Morgan County, Decatur)

Annual book stipend of $1,000 paid based on enrollment. (students will pay for books at the bookstore at the time of purchase, book stipends are send directly to the student to offset cost.)

Statement of Understanding

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)

Called “MGIB” for short, this program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved. Your benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty. For more information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

Statement of Understanding

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard .Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your benefits entitlement ends 14 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserves. For more information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. For more information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Chapter 31)

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. For more information: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/montgomery_bill.asp


GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.