VA Education Benefits
The Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to helping veterans and their families access the wide range of education benefits offered by the VA. Below is a list of the most commonly used benefits and their basic eligibility requirements.
Interested students should visit the VA’s GI Bill benefit site for the most current information regarding the types of educational benefits offered by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and to start the application process.
Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill®, otherwise known as Chapter 33, is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and their dependents. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Your benefit will be based on your length of active duty service.
Fact Sheet
For more comprehensive info, see our Post 9/11 GI Bill Chapter 33 FACT SHEET (PDF).
Highlights
Tuition and fee payments are paid by the VA directly to the school (EWU student’s account).
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is paid directly to student via direct deposit from the VA. Rates are based on location of the school campus ad eligibility percentage rate. View rates online at GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Textbook Stipend is paid directly to student via direct deposit from the VA. Based on number of credits taken per quarter, up to $1,000 per academic year.
The transferability option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® allows qualified service members to transfer all or some unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children.
View eligibility guidelines via VA.gov: Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
Children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 11, 2011 may qualify for the Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.
Enrollment verification started January 2022 for for Post-9/11 GI Bill® students to verify that they have remained enrolled in the same courses or training every month. Students who receive MHA/kicker payments will have their payments withheld if they fail to verify or report that they are no longer enrolled in their courses or training. Students can do this via text message, email or phone. Contact VA to update your information at 888-442-4551.
Refer to VA.gov for more information: GI Bill Enrollment Verification FAQs
Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35 DEA)
The Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35 DEA) program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to service-related conditions or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
This benefit is paid by the VA monthly while in classes, directly to the student via direct deposit. View rates online at GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Benefits are available for undergraduate and graduate training for up to 36 months.
Fact Sheet
For more comprehensive info, see our Chapter 35 DEA FACT SHEET (PDF).
Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31)
Veteran Readiness and Employment VR&E (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) VR&E is a program for service members with a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working. You may qualify for VR&E if this is true for you. This program, also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E, helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Fact Sheet
For more comprehensive info, see our VR&E Chapter 31 FACT SHEET (PDF).
Highlights
Tuition and fee payments are paid by the VA directly to the school (EWU student’s account).
Books paid by the VA arranged through the school.
This benefit provides a monthly stipend paid by the VA as arranged with VR&E Case Manager when assessment occurs.
- Get in contact with the EWU VRC Staff in Showalter Hall Room 122.
- Turn in your schedule to VRC office when you have registered for current term.
Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30)
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD), otherwise known as Chapter 30, provides education benefits to veterans and service members who have at least two years of active duty, and who aren’t qualified for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) or don’t wish to convert to it yet.
Fact Sheet
For more comprehensive info, see our MGIB-AD Chapter 30 FACT SHEET (PDF).
Highlights
This benefit is paid by the VA monthly while in classes, directly to the student via direct deposit. View rates online at GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Chapter 30 recipients are required to verify university enrollment with the VA on the last day of each month to receive payments. You can only perform this if you have turned in your class schedule and EWU has updated VA you are enrolled.
Use VA.gov to verify your school enrollment. This method is preferred.
If there is no record after logging into your account, you can call VA at 888-442-4551.
To convert to Chapter 33, the student must apply online via VA.gov. You can also contact the EWU VRC office for more information.
Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve, otherwise known as Chapter 1606, provides education and training benefits to eligible members of the Selected Reserve, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserves, and the Army and Air National Guard. Eligibility for this program is determined by Selected Reserve components (DoD), and VA submits payments.
Fact Sheet
For more comprehensive info, see our MGIB-SR Chapter 1606 FACT SHEET (PDF).
Highlights
This benefit is paid by the VA monthly while in classes, directly to the student via direct deposit. View rates online at GI Bill Comparison Tool.
Chapter 1606 recipients are required to verify university enrollment on the last day of each month to receive payments. You can only perform this if you have turned in your class schedule and EWU has updated VA you are enrolled.
Use VA.gov to verify your school enrollment. This method is preferred.
If there is no record after logging into your account, you can call VA at 888-442-4551.
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows eligible Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill or dependents using the Fry Scholarship to get added benefits. This scholarship provides up to 9 months (or $30,000) of benefits for training in high-demand fields. Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.
