An Introduction to Army Veterans' Education Benefits
Today, there are numerous education benefits programs available for veterans, their spouses, and dependents. Here is a step-by-step guide to education benefits for Army veterans and their families.
GI Bill
Since its creation, the GI Bill has been the cornerstone educational benefit for veterans and their families. Today, it exists in several forms including the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
If you served at least 36 months on active duty, and paid the $1,200 contribution, you can get paid up to $1,368 per month, for up to 36 months, to go to school. The MGIB-AD entitlement has an expiration date that many veterans tend to overlook--you must use the benefit within 10 years from the date of your discharge. If not, you lose your VA education benefits along with the $1,200 you paid into the program.
You can use your MGIB-AD education benefit for:
- college, business, technical or vocational courses
- correspondence courses
- certification tests
- apprenticeships
- on-the-job training
- flight training
Post 9/11 GI Bill
The newest member of the GI Bill family began on August 1, 2009. You may qualify for minimum VA education benefits with as little as 90 days of service after September 10, 2001. Three years of service gets you the full benefit. The new Bill contains several features never found in any previous GI Bill:
- tiered level of payment dependent on the amount of service
- paid tuition and fees
- a monthly housing allowance
- a book stipend
- the Yellow Ribbon Program
- a relocation allowance
- a transfer of benefits option
The New GI Bill doesn't pay for as many different training programs as does the MGIB--it covers:
- degree-producing college courses--resident and online education
- non-degree programs offered by institutions of higher learning
- licensing and certification tests
Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)
To qualify for this program, you had to enter active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985. Additionally, you would have had to open a contribution account before April 1, 1987. If you meet these qualifications and contribute to VEAP, the government matches your contribution at the rate of $2 for every $1 you contribute. You get one month of benefit for each month of contribution and once you're out, you have 10 years to use your education benefit. After 10 years, the unused contribution is automatically returned to you, whether or not you use it.
You can use VEAP for:
- degree programs
- certificates and licenses
- correspondence courses
- apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs
- and vocational flight training programs
State Veteran Education Benefits
In addition to the GI Bill and VEAP program, Army veterans can turn to their individual States for assistance. All 50 States and three territories have many different programs available to their veterans, their spouses, and dependent children. From high school diplomas for WWII and Korean veterans, to scholarships for Vietnam veterans, to reduced or free tuition, and scholarships for the children of disabled or deceased veterans of today's wars, there is almost something for everyone regardless of when you served.
Check your State's Veterans Affairs website to determine which of the benefits you, your spouse or dependent children can use. States created these benefits as a way of showing their appreciation for your Army service. Graciously accept by using them.
More About Veterans Education Benefits:
This list does not include all schools that accept GI Bill funding or VA Benefits. For a more complete list of schools, click here.
Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that can be completed 100% online. Degree programs are available in the fields of education, nursing and health sciences, business, fine arts and production, and liberal arts.
Programs: M.Ed. in Elementary Education (Leads to initial teacher licensure), M.S. in Leadership: Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadership, M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems, more...
Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers industry-relevant knowledge and training for in demand careers in healthcare.
Jobs in healthcare and social assistance are projected to have the fastest job growth between 2010-2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In order to address the rapidly growing need for career-ready professionals in many exciting fields, UMA offers associate degrees that can be earned in as few as 15 months.
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Pursue your education with The University of Texas Arlington. We offer a number of certificate, bachelors, and master's degree programs in the fields of education and nursing, plus general education courses for bachelor's degree completion.
Programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Math, more...
The USC School of Social Work’s MSW@USC offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Social Work degree through the Virtual Academic Center without relocating to Southern California. This online program is designed to prepare social workers with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in world, improve the lives of people and communities and eradicate pressing societal problems.
Programs: Master of Social Work
Welcome to Argosy University
Argosy University offers doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs to students through its
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Work toward your degree with Arkansas State University Jonesboro. We offer a variety of online bachelor's and master's degrees in the fields of education, nursing, and public administration.
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NetCom Learning offers real-world IT training solutions for technologies offered by more than 20 leading vendors, including Microsoft, Autodesk, Cisco, Oracle, PMI, and others.
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Study online with California University of Pennsylvania. We offer certificate and bachelor's and master's degree programs in a wide variety of fields that can be completed 100% online.
Programs: MA in Social Science (Applied Criminology), Master of Science in Legal Studies: Law and Public Policy, MS: Sport Management Studies- Sport Management, more...
Tradition. Academic Excellence. Online Convenience.
Thanks to Florida Tech offering intensive degree programs 100% online, students located all over the world have the opportunity to access the same world-class education as those who attend classes on the main campus in Melbourne, Florida. As a Florida Tech online student, you'll experience dynamic individualized relationships with your instructors. Working online with Florida Tech professors and students in an interactive environment provides you with a unique educational experience.
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Why ASU?
At ASU, learning online is effective, flexible and smart. Every program delivered online is developed by the same excellent faculty who teach on our campuses, and is designed to engage students and professors in meaningful ways. The result? Our students are an integral part of a New American University.
ASU students who learn online connect with the full university experience: interaction with internationally recognized faculty, access to collections from ASU's eight award-winning libraries, an alumni network tens of thousands of members strong, and membership in a community of thousands of students pursuing their degrees.
Programs: MEd in Teaching and Learning - Gifted Education Focus, BA in Religious Studies, BA in Spanish, more...
This list does not include all schools that accept GI Bill funding or VA Benefits. For a more complete list of schools, click here.
Disclaimer: Armystudyguide.com does not guarantee the schools listed above accept GI Bill funding. Please check with the school before enrolling.
