Veterans Administration Educational Benefit

The Veterans Administration Education Service is the organization within the federal Veterans Benefits Administration charged with administering the education programs designed for veterans, reservists, National Guard persons, widows, and orphans. The administration of these programs is accomplished through four regional processing offices (in Atlanta, Buffalo, Muskogee, and St. Louis). Application forms are available at all VA offices, active-duty stations, and American embassies.

Recruitment Incentive & Retention Program (RIRP)

The RIRP is a New York State program designed to recruit and retain members for the State Military Forces (Army and Air National Guard and Naval Militia). This competitive program will pay the cost of tuition up to SUNY tuition rates per semester.

Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for ten years following the veteran’s release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.

Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The MGIB-SR program may be available to veterans who are members of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® - Chapter 33

In July of 2008, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® was signed into law, creating a new robust education benefits program rivaling the WWII Era GI Bill of Rights. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill®, which goes into effect on August 1, 2009, will provide education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. These benefits are tiered based on the number of days served on active duty, creating a benefits package that gives current and previously activated National Guard and Reserve members the same benefits as active duty service members.

Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)

REAP is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain that individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001, are either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available to those who first entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The veteran’s contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

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. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Work-Study Program

This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. An individual working under this program may work at a school veterans’ office, a VA regional office, VA medical facilities, or approved state employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is greater.

Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program

Veterans who have at least a 10 to 20 percent disability as a result of active service may apply for Vocational Rehabilitation. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program is the element within the VA that assists veterans with service-related injuries achieve suitable employment or enhance their ability to function independently at home and in the community. Program services may include educational training, such as certificate or two- or four-year college programs.

Programs for New York State Residents Child of Veterans Award the Child of Veterans Award is a financial aid program for students whose parent(s) served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, died or suffered a 40% or more disability, is classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war. The veteran must currently be a New York State resident or have been a New York State resident at the time of death if death occurred during or as a result of service.

Child of Veterans Award

Child of Veterans Award recipients may receive up to $450 each year without consideration of income or tuition costs. The tuition award may be granted for 4 years of full-time undergraduate study (or for 5 years in an approved 5-year baccalaureate degree program). A special application for the Child of Veteran Award must be filed with the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC). Applications may also be obtained by contacting the Higher Education Services Corporation’s Scholarship Unit at 1-888- 697-4372.