- Make sure we’ve approved your selected program. If you have questions, we can help you and your school understand the requirements. Call our Education Call Center at 888-442-4551.
- Apply for benefits. Submit an Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990) online. You can also apply by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional.
- Verify your enrollment. Ask your school or training official to verify your enrollment with us. We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else.
How do I contact VA education?
888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551). Call between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday.
How do I check my VA education benefits?
If you want to check your GI Bill benefits now or request a copy of your Statement of Benefits by phone, you can call us at 888-442-4551. We're here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
How does the VA pay education benefits?
If you signed up for direct deposit when you applied for education benefits, we'll deposit your payment into your bank account 7 to 10 business days after you verify your school enrollment. This is the fastest way to receive your payment.
How long does it take for VA to approve education benefits?
6-10 weeksFrom the date that the VA receives enrollment certification, it generally 6-10 weeks for you to receive payment.
Does GI Bill expire?
If you were discharged before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits expire 15 years after you separated from the military. Montgomery GI Bill benefits expire 10 years after you separate from the military. But you may qualify for an extension of these benefits.
How many months of GI Bill do you get?
36 monthsHow many months of assistance can I receive and how long am I eligible? Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.
Can you get retroactive VA education benefits?
Retroactive Certification Students applying for VA benefits may be eligible to receive retroactive payment for prior enrollment. The student must have been eligible for benefits during the enrollment period of the completed coursework. Retroactive certification must be requested in writing with the Registrar's Office.
Why hasn't the VA paid my tuition?
Your school may not have received tuition and fee costs if we haven't received (or recently received) a certification with the costs. If your school has not received a tuition and fee payment from VA, contact your VA school certifying official to determine if the tuition and fees have been certified.
Do you have to pay back VA education benefits?
VA pays the tuition and fees to the school on your behalf when the School Certifying Official (SCO) certifies that you are enrolled in classes. By law, you are responsible for any debt incurred while receiving benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. VA is required by law to recoup any debt.
What day of the month does VA pay education benefits?
The VA typically pays on the first of every month for the previous month. For example, on October 1st you'll get a check for the month of September. Payments are prorated, meaning checks will be less during months we aren't in school from beginning to end (August, December, January and May).
What disqualifies you from VA benefits?
If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.
Does VA pay for college dependents?
The College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus.
Contact us online through Ask VA
Ask VA (AVA) is our new online tool that replaced the Information Routing & Inquiry service (IRIS) and the GI Bill Help Portal. Use Ask VA to send us your questions, updates, and documents online.
Call us
You can call us at one of these phone numbers to ask questions about VA benefits and services.
Contact your local VA facility
Find the phone number and address for your local VA health facility, regional office, cemetery, or other location. Find a VA location near you
Explore our FAQs and other resources
Our FAQs, step-by-step guides, and other resources can help answer specific questions you may have about these topics:
Helpful online tools
Find out how to change your address and other contact information in your VA.gov profile. This will update your information across several VA benefits and services.
How long do you have to use veap?
The amount of benefits you get (up to 36 months) will depend on how much money you put into your VEAP every month. You have 10 years from your release from active duty to use your VEAP benefits. If you don’t use the money after 10 years, we’ll automatically refund it to you.
When did you put money in your veap account?
Opened and put money into your VEAP account before April 1, 1987, and. Put in $25–$2,700 on your own, and. Finished your first period of service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge. If you served in or are serving in the Air Force, you must meet the additional requirements below.
What is service connected disability?
A service-connected permanent and total disability is a disability resulting from your service that doesn’t go away. You may be eligible for VA education benefits (Chapter 35 benefits) if you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran and one of the descriptions listed below is true of the Veteran. One of these must be true.
How long does a spouse have to be on DEA?
Duration of benefits for spouses: 20 years from the service member’s date of death if they died on active duty, or 10 years from the date we determine they qualify or from the Veteran’s date of death (there may be exceptions). Fry Scholarship. Duration of benefits for spouses:
Can a dependent get VA education benefits?
Died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. If you’re a dependent who doesn’t meet the above criteria, you may still qualify for VA education benefits if the Veteran or service member transferred some or all of their Post-9/11 GI Bill ...
Can you get Chapter 35 benefits if you are a dependent?
If you’re a dependent spouse or child—or the surviving spouse or child—of a Veteran, you may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits or job training through a GI Bill program.
How long do spouses have to be on VA benefits?
Expiration of benefits. Spouses and surviving spouses have ten years from the date the VA authorizes eligibility to use the benefit. Surviving spouses of veterans who died while on active duty have 20 years from the date of the veteran’s decease date to use the benefit.
Where to get VA Form 22-5490?
VA Form 22-5490 is available at any VA regional office or online at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-5490-ARE.pdf. Mail the completed form to the appropriate VA regional office serving the state from which the individual will train. Education. Education – VA.org.
Who is eligible for the education program?
Individuals are eligible for the education program provided they are a son or daughter of: A veteran rated by the VA with 100 percent service-related disability. A veteran who died from any cause during the existence of a service-related disability.
What is a service member who is hospitalized or getting outpatient treatment for a service-related disability?
A service member who is hospitalized or getting outpatient treatment for a service-related disability rated as 100 percent permanent disability and is apt to be discharged for the disability.
What are the changes to the GI Bill?
The Forever GI Bill of 2017 makes big changes to many veterans education benefits. Most changes expand or improve upon existing benefits. Highlights include: 1 Restoring education benefits to people who lost them because their school closed 2 Eliminating the 15-year time limit for those who left active duty on or after January 1, 2013
Can a military spouse pay for college?
Military Spouse Tuition Assistance. If you’re a military spouse, you can find help paying for college or vocational training too. There are many scholarships, grants, and interest-free loans. Find sources of military spouse tuition assistance.
