FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Laws 94-502, 99-576, 100-689, 101-237, 102- 16, 102-127, 102-484, 102-568, 103-446, 104-275, 105-114, 105-368; 106- 117, 106-419, 107-103; 38 U.S.C. 3221.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide educational assistance to persons entering the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985; to assist persons in obtaining an education they might otherwise not be able to afford; and to promote and assist the all volunteer military program of the United States by attracting qualified persons to serve in the Armed Forces. In addition, individuals who were on active duty on September 30, 1990, or after November 29, 1993, and who are involuntarily separated from active duty after February 2, 1991, may elect Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits. However, they must have their basic pay reduced by $1,200. Similarly, those who are voluntarily separated after October 23, 1992, under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or the Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs, may make such an election. They too must have their basic pay reduced by $1,200. Recent law was changed to permit additional VEAP individuals to elect benefits under the MGIB. To be eligible the individual must have been a participant under chapter 32 on or before October 9, 1996, and must continuously serve on active duty since October 9, 1996, through at least April 1, 2000. There are some other eligibility criteria which must be met. VEAP participants must make this election by November 1, 2001. If you think you may be eligible for the election, you should contact the nearest VA regional office.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Participants may select a program of education to assist them in attaining an educational, professional or vocational objective at any approved educational institution they choose which will accept them as students or trainees. Enrollments in certain courses, such as those which are vocational or recreational in nature, may not be approved. Individuals may pursue certain flight training. Benefits may also be paid for any test that is necessary for licensing and certification needed to enter, maintain, or advance into employment in certain civilian occupations.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   The participant must have served honorably on active duty for more than 180 continuous days beginning on or after January 1, 1977, or have been discharged after such date because of a service-connected disability. Also eligible are participants who serve for more than 180 days and who continue on active duty and have completed their first period of obligated service (or 6 years of active duty, whichever comes first). Participants must also have satisfactorily contributed to the program. (Satisfactory contribution consists of monthly deduction of $25 to $100 from military pay, up to a maximum of $2,700, for deposit in a special training fund.) Participants may make lump-sum contributions. No individuals on active duty in the Armed Forces may initially begin contributing to this program after March 31, 1987.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Post-Vietnam era veterans.

Credentials/Documentation:   Military discharge certificate, certification of enrollment by educational institution in approved courses leading to an educational, professional or vocational objective and such other certifications as may be developed by VA and the Department of Defense.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   An application form (VA Form 22-1990) may be obtained from any VA office or regional office and submitted to the appropriate VA regional processing office.

Award Procedure:   Awards are authorized at the designated VA Regional Processing Office.

Deadlines:   Generally, eligibility ceases at the end of 10 years from the date of the participant's last discharge or release from qualifying active duty after January 1, 1977. Participants may use their entitlement at any time during this 10-year period and are not required to use it in consecutive months. The basic 10-year period may be extended for those veterans who were prevented from beginning or completing their chosen program of education because they were held by a foreign government or power or because of a physical or mental disability not the result of their own willful misconduct. The 10-year period can also be extended for those who reenter active duty for 90 days or more after becoming eligible.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   At least 72.2 percent of applications are processed within 90 days or less.

Appeals:   Appeals are available through a special board; response time is 220 days.

Renewals:   None.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Contributions to the program will be accumulated from service persons electing to participate in the program; the Department of Defense (DOD) matches the service person's contributions at a rate of $2 for each $1 contributed by the participant. In some cases, additional contributions may be made by DOD.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Available within 10 years of first date of discharge or release from service or until the amount of money in the special fund, converted to months of entitlement (to a maximum of 36) is exhausted. Assistance checks generally to be released on a monthly basis.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   The educational allowance will not be paid if the participant does not pursue his or her course in accordance with established policies and regulations of the educational institution he or she attends, and is not making satisfactory progress as required by law and VA Regulations. Certification by the educational institution as to the participant's enrollment must be made for each period for which assistance is sought. Certifications for course enrollment and pursuit not leading to a standard college degree must be made monthly by the participant; for courses leading to a standard college degree, verifications of pursuit are required.

Audits:   None.

Records:   None.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   36-8133-0-7-702.

Obligations:   (Direct Payments) FY 01 $13,160,000; FY 02 est $15,151,000; and FY 03 est $12,250,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Up to a maximum of $8,100 of basic benefits. Work study allowances: Payment based on the higher of the Federal minimum wage or the State minimum wage where work is performed. Tutorial assistance up to a maximum of $1,200.

For fiscal year 2001, there were 2,545 trainees; estimates for fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003 are 1,700 and 1,200 trainees, respectively.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

38 CFR 21.5001 - 21.5270 "Federal Benefits For Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-01-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Veterans Benefits Administration Field Offices.

Headquarters Office:   Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20420 Phone: 202-461-9700

Web Site Address:  
http://www.GIBILL.va.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

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