Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Benefits

Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of Service members and Veterans. Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance. You might find you’re eligible for more than one benefit or that one program is more suited to certain education and training goals than another.

Follow the links below to learn about education and training programs administered by VA.

Forever GI Bill - Veterans Educational Assistance Act

The President signed into law the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act also known as the "Forever GI Bill," which will bring significant changes to Veterans education benefits. The law is named after the American Legion national commander who wrote the original GI Bill language in 1944, and will allow more Veterans to use the GI Bill and more time to use it. Some of the changes will go into effect immediately, most will not. The majority of the changes enhance or expand education benefits for Service members, Veterans, and family members.

To learn more about the Forever GI Bill, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/forevergibill.asp

Post 9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers higher education and training benefits to Service members, Veterans, and their families who served after Sept. 10, 2001.

To learn about the Post-9/1 GI Bill and its specific components like the Yellow Ribbon Program and the Transfer Entitlement, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill assists active duty and Reservists with the pursuit of higher education degrees, certificates, and other education and training.

To learn more about the Montgomery GI Bill, visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/

Reserve Educational Assistance program (REAP)

REAP provides educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency declared by the president or Congress. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015. Some individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no longer eligible for REAP benefits.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill in many ways has replaced REAP because it also provides educational assistance benefits for Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty on or after September 11, 2001, and in many cases provides a greater benefit than REAP

To learn more about REAP, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/reap.asp

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you entered service for the first time between Jan. 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985 AND elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The government matches your contributions on a 2-for-1 basis.

To learn more about VEAP, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/veap.asp

National Testing Program

If you are eligible for the GI Bill, you can be reimbursed by the VA for all required (mandatory) fees charged for national admission tests and national tests for college credit.

For a list of funded national exams and reimbursement details, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/national_testing.asp

National Call to Service Program

National Call to Service Incentive program is a benefit provided to those who perform a period of national service. It is a Department of Defense program that is administered by VA. These incentives range from cash bonuses, student loan repayment, and varying levels of GI Bill eligibility.

To learn more about the National Call to Service Program, visit https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/national_call_to_service.asp