Federal Benefits Overview
The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of GI Bill® education benefit programs. Veterans and service members may be eligible for more than one chapter. Consider each chapter carefully before selecting one. A description and application process is included on each of the benefit information pages. If you have questions, please contact our Veterans Coordinator.
Veterans and military service members may be able to earn college credit for what they already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 33 introductory-level college subject exams. For more information, please visit the CLEP for Military site at
http://clep.collegeboard.org/military/
In addition to the GI
Bill, Reserve Tuition Assistance may be available through ArmyIgnigtED.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Table of Contents
Chapter 30 Active Duty GI Bill®
The Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to service members on active duty or separated from the military with an honorable discharge. 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 10 years following your release from active duty. The benefit is paid directly to the student and the student is responsible for paying any tuition and fees to the school.
Application Process
Veterans applying for Chapter 30 should apply online thru the VONAPP system at www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to upload and attach Copy 4 of their DD214 (Certificate of Discharge) and kicker paperwork. Please bring a copy of your completed application, DD214, and kicker to the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UW-Stevens Point who will then certify your enrollment to the VA.
Payment Information
Students are required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 30 payment. You can go online at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-877-823-2378. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes eight to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA does not pay for the breaks between semesters.
Back to top
Chapter 1606 Selected Reserve GI Bill®
The MGIB-SR 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, the Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard. You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, and independent study 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 directly to the service member and the service member is responsible for paying tuition and fees to the school. Eligible applicants may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
Application Process
Veterans applying for Chapter 1606 should apply thru the VONAPP system at www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to upload and attach Copy 4 of their DD214 (Certificate of Discharge) kicker and Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) paperwork. Please bring a copy of your completed application, DD214, kicker and NOBE to the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UW-Stevens Point who will then certify your enrollment to the VA.
Payment Information
Students are required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 1606 payment. You can go online at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-877-823-2378. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA does not pay for the breaks between semesters.
Back to top
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 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.
Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, licensing, and national testing programs. All programs must be approved for GI Bill benefits. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.
Some of the benefits the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay may include:
- Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students.
- For those attending UW-Stevens Point as a non-resident out-of-state student, a program exists which may help to reimburse the difference. This program is called the "Yellow Ribbon Program". Please contact the Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UW-Stevens Point if you believe you are eligible for Yellow Ribbon as a non-resident student.
- A monthly housing allowance (MHA) based upon the School zip code
- An annual books & supplies stipend
- A one-time rural benefit payment
Application Process
Veterans applying for Chapter 33 should apply thru the VONAPP system at
www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to upload and attach Copy 4 of their DD214 (Certificate of Discharge) paperwork. Please bring a copy of your completed application and DD214 to the
Veterans Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UW-Stevens Point who will then certify your enrollment to the VA.
Payment Information
Students are required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 33 payment. Payments are processed automatically. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA no longer pays for the breaks between semesters.
Back to top
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Dependents)
The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows service members (officer or enlisted, Active Duty or Selected Reserve), on or after August 1, 2009, to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse and children). The service member must have at least six years of service, and commit to an additional four years of service in order to transfer benefits to a spouse or child. Because of the potential impact of this benefit on recruiting and retention, transferability policy is determined by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the military services.
Eligibility for the Service Member
The Department of Defense determines whether or not you can transfer benefits to your family members. To apply to transfer your benefits, please visit
www.defense.gov/home/features/2009/0409_gibill/. The website is only available to military members.
Application Process for Dependent
Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits by completing VA Form 22-1990e electronically at
www.gibill.va.gov. Applicants will be given the opportunity to electronically upload approval documentation from the service member.
Important to note:
- VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB.
- Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to initially apply as the service member for Transfer of Eligibility.
Back to top
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation GI Bill®
In some cases, a veteran requires additional education or training to become employable. VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR & E) Program helps service-connected disabled veterans
- go back to jobs held prior to active duty
- find jobs related to their skills
- prepare for self-employment
- find suitable employment through education or training
- learn independent living skills
The VR & E program pays a monthly living allowance or a subsistence allowance.
Application Process
Applicants should complete VA Form 28-1900, "Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation," and bring it to the county veteran services office www.dva.state.wi.us/cvso.asp. A VA counseling psychologist or vocational rehabilitation counselor will schedule an individual meeting with the applicant. The purpose of this meeting is to decide which career path is best suited for the student and to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment services. If you're found eligible, a rehabilitation plan is developed which lists the services to be provided. You will begin receiving the services outlined in your plan. Any evidence regarding the disability will come directly from VA records. They will also ask you about any work experience you've had since leaving military service.
Students who are eligible for chapter 31 Vocational Rehab will meet with their Vocational Rehab Counselor during the semester to make sure they are on track.
Payment Information
Students are
NOT required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 31 payment. Payments are processed automatically. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA no longer pays for the breaks between semesters.
Contact the County Veteran Service office with your completed application: www.dva.state.wi.us/cvso.asp.
Back to top
Chapter 35 Survivors & Dependents Assistance GI Bill®
Dependents' Educational Assistance (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. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Application Process
Obtain and complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance. You can get this form from UWSP's Veterans Coordinator or your County Veteran Services Office. Send it to the St. Louis VA regional office. If you are a son or daughter, under the legal age, a parent or guardian must sign the application.
Payment Information
Students are
NOT required to verify their student attendance each month to receive their Chapter 35 payment. Payments are processed automatically. Each payment you receive is for the previous month. For example, you will receive a check the first week in October for attendance during September. It takes six to ten weeks for new students or transfer students to receive their initial payment. The VA no longer pays for the breaks between semesters.
Contact the County Veteran Service office at www.dva.state.wi.us/cvso.asp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW8pKm5n-mI
Back to top
Military Tuition Assistance
Service Members need to speak with their Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service prior to enrolling in the institution. The Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance to Service members for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of professional and personal self-development goals. TA is available for courses that are offered in the classroom or by distance learning and are part of an approved academic degree or certificate program. The courses must be offered by schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and are signatories to the current DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DOD MOU).
Each branch offers a tuition assistance program.
Army: https://www.armyignited.com/
Navy:
https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/
Air Force:
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/
Marines:
https://usmc-mccs.org/articles/how-do-i-apply-for-tuition-assistance/
Coast Guard:
https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/Voluntary-Education/
Back to top
Skip to main content
