VETERANS: Your GI BILL
Two “MUST-DO” steps to get started!

FIRST STEP:
Determine which of your eligible G.I. Bill programs (i.e. Chapter 30, 33, 1606, 1607) based on your aggregate active duty service time, gives you the:

-Best percent dollar benefit for tuition, fees and personal allowances.

-Best timing for you to select which G.I. Bill program (to include the “irrevocable decision” for Ch. 33 if you are eligible) that has your best overall dollar benefits as well as additional G.I. Bill months (if you are eligible for more G.I. Bill months).  

-Best way to achieve your employment or educational objective of either:
Study at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) (which awards an Associates’ Degree or higher)

Study at a Non-College Degree (NCD) School, Flight School or Correspondence Course, Apprenticeship (APP) or On-the Job Training (OJT) job.

GO TO THE VA WEBSITE (www.gibill.va.gov) FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON G.I. BILL FACTORS TO CONSIDER, BENEFIT COMPARISONS AND OTHER DETAILED INFORMATION.

NOTE: For Yellow Ribbon Program, you must be Ch. 33 at 100% rate & your IHL must participate

NOTE: Ch. 33 Monthly Housing Allowance is paid only for IHL study at MORE than 50% rate of pursuit  

SECOND STEP:  
YOU MUST APPLY TO THE VA!
 
Submit VA Form 22-1990 to the VA Office either by:
-Online application at www.gibill.va.gov  (preferred method & gives fastest      reply)
-Mail in hard-copy signature page per the instruction
-Mail by completing VA Form 22-1990 (download form from www.gibill.va.gov).

You also must mail in your proof of military service to the VA:
-DD 214 (copy/copies) for active duty service and/or
-DD Form 2384-1 (NOBE) (copy) for guard/reserve service    

NOTE: The G.I. Bill “Irrevocable Decision” applies only for Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
Ch. 33.  Conversely, if you stay with Ch. 30, 1606 or 1607, you can later select Ch. 33 (if you’re eligible) and that selection to Ch. 33 becomes ‘irrevocable’ at that time.

The VA will send you a CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT (COE) that identifies your specific entitlement based on the G.I. Bill Education Benefit (Chapter) you selected and applied for.

For college/university/school (“classroom” education):
Contact the Veterans Certifying Official (VCO) at your school to get enrollment procedure and to find out if your program is approved for GI Bill benefits. If your program is not approved, call the State Approving Agency (SAA).

For Apprenticeship (APP) or On-the-Job Training (OJT):
Find job first. You must be hired. Ask your employer to contact SAA to start the procedure to approve your position for G.I. Bill veteran’s benefits. Apprenticeship has to be from at least 1 year and can go up to 5 years in length

 OJT has to be from at least 6 months and can go up to 2 years in length.

The above gets you started properly. Subsequent VA instructions and other forms will follow.

Contact info: 
VA Regional Office                                                                                     1-(888) 442-4551

State Approving Agency (SAA):                                                    (866) 433-8387                                                        
                      

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G.I. BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS
What can I use them for? *

CLASSROOM EDUCATION
NOTE:  Ch. 33 can only be used for study at an IHL. (Ch. 30, 1606 & 1607 can
also be used at an IHL if that gives a better benefit to the veteran).  However, if the veteran was previously eligible for Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607 at the time of “irrevocably” selecting Ch. 33, then the VA will honor and pay the Ch. 30, 1606 or 1607 benefit rate to the eligible veteran who later opts for: NCD, Flight School or Correspondence Courses.
Examples:
Colleges, Universities, Community and Junior Colleges
Business and Trade Schools
Theological and Bible Schools
Hospital and Nursing Programs
Barber Schools
Cosmetology Schools
Career and Technology Centers
Information Technology
Flight Schools
Police and Fire Academies
Real Estate, Bar Review, CPA Review

APPRENTICESHIP & OJT TRAINING (in small company/large corporation & government positions)

NOTE: Only Ch. 30, 1606 or 1607 are used.  However, if the veteran was previously eligible for Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607 at the time of “irrevocably” selecting Ch. 33, then the VA will honor and pay the Ch. 30, 1606 or 1607 benefit rate to the eligible veteran who later opts for an APP or OJT employment position)
.
APPRENTICESHIP (from at least 1 year in length to up to 5 years in length) Examples:
Carpenter
Electrician
Plumber
Roofer
Brick Layer
Machinist
Maintenance Mechanic

OJT (from at least 6 months in length to up to 2 years in length) examples:
Examples:
Computer Programmer
Auto Mechanic
Police Officer
Fireman
Welder
Insurance Adjuster
Cook

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION TEST FEE
REIMBURSEMENT

Ch. 33 allows only a one-time use.
Other chapters allow multiple tests as long as you remain eligible for benefits)
* Programs must lead to an occupational or educational objective

NOTE:  On all the above, if VA guidance differs, then VA guidance governs