Veterans Affairs Chapters

Veterans Affais Chapters

Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606, 1607

Chapter 30: Category One - entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985. Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months. Continuously served for 3 years, or 2 years if that is your first term of enlistment; or 2 years if you entered the selected reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years (2 by 4 program). Category Two - Entered active duty before January 1, 1977. Served at least 1 day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85 and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88. On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from the Vietnam Era GI Bill.

Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation is a program of services for service members and veterans with service-connected physical or mental disabilities. Often these individuals experience limitations in getting and keeping a job, as well as in their daily living activities. This program can prepare veterans for a suitable job, help them get and keep that job, and assist them in becoming fully productive and independent. Veterans must first be evaluated by a regional VA office before they can be accepted into the Chapter 31 program.

If you have a service disability, it is highly encouraged that you apply regardless of percentage. If you are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you may receive up to four years of rehabilitation services. Generally, you must complete a rehabilitation program within twelve years from the date VA notifies you of your entitlement to compensation benefits. Veterans have a maximum of 48 months of benefits. Chapter 31 pays for training expenses, including tuition, fees, necessary books, supplies, and equipment, and will provide you with a monthly subsistence allowance during training.

Chapter 33: The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. As of August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is effective for training. Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill benefits.

Additionally, tutorial assistance, and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay your tuition based upon the highest in-state tuition charged by a public educational institution in the state where the school is located. The amount of support that an individual may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing.

Chapter 35: Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training.

If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:

1. a) a veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability sustained during active duty in the Armed Forces;
   b) a veteran who died from any cause while a service-connected disability existed;
   c) a service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force; or
   d) a service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.

Chapter 1606: The Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve program may be available to you if you are a member 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 the Air National Guard. You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances.

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your benefit entitlement ends 10 years from the date of your eligibility for the program or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

Chapter 1607: GI Bill (REAP) Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP), more commonly known as Chapter 1607, was established October 28, 2004 in recognition of the sacrifices made by Reserve Component members' in answering the call to duty. Chapter 1607 can be used in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), kickers, loan programs and state funded programs (GTIP) to assist with educational expenses.

To be eligible for the benefit, a soldier must be mobilized for 90+ consecutive days since September 11, 2001. There is no delimitating date, soldiers do not have to pay in $1,200 or have a 6x2 enlistment contract; however, they must remain in the ARNG to receive the benefit. If a soldier gains eligibility then leaves the Selected Reserves, their eligibility for 1607 terminates forever (even if they re-enlist within the 12 month window.)

Eligibility also terminates if a soldier participates in a Dedicated Guard ROTC program after becoming eligible or if the soldier uses all of their monthly entitlements. If a service member is ordered to active duty and released before completing 90 consecutive days because of an injury, illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, they may receive 1607. Soldiers separated because of a disability (not willful misconduct) on or after the date on entitlement (91st day of deployment) will have 10 years to use 1607 from the date of entitlement.

Useful Links

http://www.gibill.va.gov
-includes chapter payment rates 

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm
-includes chapter subsistence (pay) allowance rates 

Useful Telephone Numbers

1-888-442-4551 (Chapters 30, 35, 1606)

1-877-823-2378 (Chapter 30 verification only)

1-800-827-1000 (general questions)

225-219-5013 (Local VA Office)