Chapter 5
EDUCATION/TRAINING
Service members leaving the military sometimes find a gap between the civilian career they want and the specific education or training they need to achieve it.

A. Your Education Benefits: Montgomery GI Bill, VEAP, and More

Several programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide financial assistance to veterans for education programs. This includes enrollment in degree programs, technical and vocational programs, correspondence courses, flight training courses, and on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs. Programs must be approved, usually by a State-approving agency, for VA purposes, before VA education program benefits are paid.

Two of these programs are the Post-Vietnam-era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) and the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). Both programs are intended to help you develop skills that will enhance your opportunities for employment. As a rule, the benefits under either of these programs must be used within 10 years of separation from active duty.

VEAP Eligibility

With the exception of some people who signed delayed entry contracts before January 1, 1977, VEAP is for people who first entered active duty during the period January 1, 1977 through June 30, 1985, and who made a contribution to a VEAP account before April 1, 1987. If you participated in VEAP and withdrew your contribution, you may start a new allotment, or make a lump-sum contribution, at any time while you are on active duty.

MGIB Eligibility

MGIB eligibility is straightforward for most veterans, but it can be complex for others. If you have questions about MGIB eligibility, check with your Education Center, or call the VA toll-free education number, 1-888-GI Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551). You may also get information at the VA Education Service website http://www.gibill.va.gov.

Note: As this guide was being prepared to go online, there may have been legislation pending to allow some people who participated in VEAP to convert to MGIB eligibility. For further information, check with your Education Center, or with VA.

With the exception of some officers who received a commission, after December 31, 1976, as a result of graduating from service academy, or after completing a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship program, the MGIB is for people who first came on active duty on July 1,1985, or later, and who did not decline - in writing - to participate in the MGIB program.

To be eligible for the full 36 months of MGIB benefits, veterans must normally meet character of service, and minimum length of service requirement. Some veterans who are separated from active duty early for the convenience of the government may also receive the full 36 months of MGIB benefits. Depending on the separation reason, other veterans who are separated from active duty early may be eligible for prorated MGIB benefits; one month of benefits for each full month of active duty.

Some veterans who were eligible for the Vietnam Era GI Bill (VRA) have gained MGIB eligibility. They must have had some remaining VRA entitlement on December 31, 1989, when all benefits under the VRA expired. With some exceptions, they must have served on active duty from July 1, 1985 through June 30, 1988. For these veterans, the 10-year period of time in which they must use MGIB benefits is reduced by any time, from January 1, 1977 through June 30, 1985, that they were not on active duty.

VEAP participants, officers not normally eligible for MGIB because they were commissioned after December 31, 1976 as a result of graduating from a service academy or after completing a ROTC scholarship, and people who declined to participate in MGIB, who are involuntarily separated, or separated under the Special Separation Benefit (SSB) or Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) programs may elect to participate in MGIB. Contact your Education Center, or VA for details.

For More Information

The VA can provide you with educational counseling after you leave the Service. Contact you VA regional office by dialing toll-free 1-888-GI Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551) or go to the MGIB website at http://www.gibill.va.gov. In addition, information on MGIB and other veterans' educational benefit programs is available from your installation's Education Center or from the admissions office and/or veterans' coordinator at most colleges and universities.