What Chapter Am I?
This page provides an overview of several types of VA education and training benefits that may be available to qualifying military-affiliated students.
VA Education and Training Benefits
There are several types of VA Education and Training Benefits. While this page offers a quick overview, be sure to review the VA's detailed information about these benefit types. You can also review our MVRC - VA Education Benefits at UWF page for essential information about getting started using your benefits.
Chapter 30 Overview
- The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (Chapter 30) (MGIB-AD) benefits generally apply to eligible veterans who began active duty service for the first time after July 30, 1985, had their pay reduced by $100/month for the first 12 months of service and received an honorable discharge.
- Up to 36 months of education benefits.
- Generally payable for 10 years after your release from active duty.
- VA sends funds directly to the student, who is responsible for paying the university directly for tuition and fees.
Chapter 30 Resources
Chapter 31 Overview
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (Chapter 31) assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare, find and keep suitable jobs. Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge.
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap.
- Apply for VR&E services.
Chapter 31 Resources
Chapter 33 Overview
Eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) includes:
- Active duty service at least 90 aggregate days after Sept. 10, 2001.
- Individuals honorably discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service.
- For 100% of the benefit, must have continuously served an aggregate of 36 months after Sept. 10, 2001.
Effective Aug. 1, 2009, eligible participants (veterans, service members, and dependents) pursuing a VA-approved training program may receive benefits at a percentage based on length of active duty service:
- Cost of tuition and fees paid directly to the school. Tuition should not exceed the most expensive public institution in-state undergraduate rate.
- Monthly housing allowance paid directly to the veteran or dependent. See the Current Rate Payments based on eligibility. Active duty and spouse of active duty are not eligible for this allowance.
- Yearly book and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year paid directly to the service member, veteran or dependent.
The VA does NOT pay for the meal plan or dorm fees. This is the responsibility of the student.
Chapter 33 Resources
Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
The Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) is for eligible spouses and dependents. A beneficiary must be the dependent of one of the following:
- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member hospitalized or receiving outpatient care for a VA-determined service-connected permanent and total disability may be eligible.
Benefits overview:
- Monthly allowance based on the training time.
- Student submits tuition and fee payments directly to the university.
- UWF cannot submit your certification to the VA without your sponsor's Social Security Number.
Chapter 35 Resources
Chapter 1606 Overview
The Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) education program is for eligible members of the Selected Reserve. You may be considered an eligible reservist or National Guard member if:
- After June 30, 1985, you signed a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve and
- You completed your Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT) and
- You received your high school diploma or GED before you completed your IADT and
- You are in good standing in a drilling Selected Reserve Unit.
Benefits overview:
- Up to 36 months of education benefits.
- VA sends funds directly to the student. Student submits tuition and fee payments directly to the university.
Chapter 1606 Resources
Chapter 33 (Surviving Dependents) Overview
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33) provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to:
- Children and surviving spouses of an active duty service member who died in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
Benefits overview:
- Up to 36 months of benefits at the 100% level.
Chapter 33 (Surviving Dependents) Resources
STEM Undergraduate Scholarship Overview
The Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is a provision of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Forever GI Bill®). This provision provides up to nine months of additional Post-9/11 (Chapter 33) VA education benefits (not to exceed $30,000) to eligible undergraduate students training in the high demand fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Veteran applicants for the scholarship will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with the amount of additional entitlement added. To certify courses to the VA under the STEM scholarship program, a copy of the STEM COE will need to be provided to the UWF MVRC at mvrc@uwf.edu. Students approved for the STEM Scholarship must do a monthly verification of attendance with the Department of Veteran Affairs at STEM.VBABUF@va.gov. For additional information, contact the MVRC at mvrc@uwf.edu or 850.474.2550.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, you need to meet all of the requirements listed for your current undergraduate enrollment situation:
STEM degree or qualifying dual-degree program
- Enrolled in a qualifying undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter credit hours) to complete and
- Completed at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) toward degree and
- 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.
Covered clinical training program for health care professionals
- Already earned a qualifying degree in a STEM field and
- Accepted to or enrolled in a covered clinical training program for health care professionals and
- 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.
Working toward a teaching certification
- Already earned a qualifying post-secondary degree in a STEM field and
- Accepted to or enrolled in a teaching certification program and
- 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® (or Fry Scholarship) benefits remaining. Check your Post-9/11 GI Bill® Statement of Benefits.
STEM Scholarship Resources
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
