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, Central
Office, Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7132.
