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FEDERAL & STATE EDUCATION BENEFITS

Federal and State Education Benefits

Military-connected students and families may have access to valuable federal and state education benefits that can help pay for college. Explore the programs below to understand what may be available to you—including tuition assistance, education funding, and other military-related benefits.

Your Military Education Benefits on the Application Station:

Add the benefits. Discover the scholarships. See their impact​ o​n your estimated net cost as you add, remove, or change benefits.​
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State Education Benefits

Tuition waivers for dependents of certain rated veterans.  Hawaii and Mississippi have pending state bills.

Federal Education Benefits

Chapter 33/Post-9/11 GI Bill​

 

Chapter 35 (DEA)

Fry Scholarship​​

Prep Courses, Licensing and Certification Tests
  • Use the the GI Bill Comparison Tool to search for various certification and licensing tests (hint: choose "Both" on the LAC Category Type dropdown box )

  • Categories include (over 2,000!):

    • NCLEX (Nursing License)

    • Nursing

    • Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetician

    • Bar Review Course

    • CISCO, COMP TIA A+

    • Teaching

      • Virginia Teacher Certification

      • California Subject Exam for Teachers

      • Texas Teacher Certification

NOTES: 

  • Chapter 33 is different than Chapter 35 benefits--many people are eligible for both, but Chapter 35 is a monthly stipend for dependents of veterans rated 100%, and can be used with the listed states' benefits for a dramatic cost reduction.

  • In order to see if a particular school/university is certified, use the GI Bill Comparison Tool. Once the results appear, click on the name of your school, and scroll (almost) all the way to the bottom of the webpage.  The School Certifying Official ("SCO") and the contact information should be there.

  • If you need further assistance, contact your State Approving Agency for more information or possible next steps.  According to this page on the VA website, "State Approving Agencies (SAA) are generally responsible for the approval of education and training programs in their respective states. They are the pathway into VA for a program's recognition and identification as being eligible for the payment of VA education benefits. Colleges, universities, and other training establishments seeking to provide VA eligible training programs should begin by contacting their SAA."​​

  • YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE IN-STATE TUITION RATES with the Veterans Choice Act (even if you have NOT lived in the state where the school is located) if you are using any of the above federal benefits. Some schools may extend the "in-state" rates even after the federal benefits have been used fully (check with individual schools).  Click here for more information on the Veterans Choice Act.

  • Contact a VSO for assistance; only one federal benefit may be used at a time

  • The Veteran's Disability Compensation may decrease when a dependent uses certain federal benefits (specifically Chapter 35 benefits).  

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