Veteran's Affairs

VA Benefit Chapter – General Information

Chapter 30, Veterans Montgomery GI Bill
Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation GI Bill
Chapter 35, Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve)
Chapter 1607, GI Bill (Selected Reserve)

CHAPTER 30, VETERANS MONTGOMERY GI BILL
For persons who served active duty for at least 180 consecutive days and paid ($1200) into the Montgomery GI Bill. Participants usually paid $100 a month during the first year of service. There are different levels of eligibility which depend on your time in service. For those who retired active duty (20+ years), you are eligible for a combination of the old Vietnam era GI Bill and the new Montgomery GI Bill (34/30).

Starting 10/1/04, the basic full-time monthly benefit is $1,004 for 3 years obligated service (Category IB) or for 2 years active duty and 4 years in the Selected Reserve (Category IC). The basic full-time monthly benefit is $816 for 2 years obligated service (Category IA).

Chapter 30 Kickers – Higher monthly benefits are paid to chapter 30 participants with “kickers” and to chapter 30 participants who make additional chapter 30 payments. Veterans may have a kicker, additional contributions, or both. The higher benefit rates are paid automatically when benefits are paid.

A kicker is part of the enlistment contract. It’s often referred to by its’ ‘Madison Avenue’ name – Army College Fund, Navy Sea College Fund, or whatever the newest recruitment ad calls it.

CHAPTER 31, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION GI BILL
Veterans who have established a service connected disability of 20% or higher are eligible to apply for Vocational Rehabilitation. They must complete medical testing, knowledge testing, counseling, and be assigned a case worker. This benefit covers tuition and fees, books and supplies, and pays a monthly stipend. Talk with the VA certifying official for more information.

CHAPTER 35, DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE (DEA)
(If you qualify for Ch35, you may qualify for CAL VET as well-see below)
For dependents of veterans who have established a service connected disability of 100% permanent or for dependents of a veteran who is deceased as a result of service connected injury, condition, or accident. You must have filed for Death Indemnity Compensation to establish the service connection for the latter of the two.

Educational Assistance paid to dependents of veterans. Starting 10/1/04, the full-time monthly rate is $803.

Cal Vet (State of California Fee Waiver Program)
For dependents of veterans who have established a service connected disability of 0% or higher. This program waives your tuition and fees at any community college, CSU or UC institution. Talk with the VA certifying official for more information.

CHAPTER 1606, MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL – SELECTED RESERVE
For reservists who are currently under a six-year obligation to the armed forces. We recommend that you obtain a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) from your command prior to using this benefit.

Chapter 1606 eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense or by the Department of Transportation (Coast Guard), not by VA.

Starting 10/1/04, members of the Selected Reserves are entitled to full-time education benefits of $288 for a maximum of 36 months or the equivalent in part-time training.

1606 kickers – An additional amount, called a kicker, may be added to the benefit of some chapter 1606 students.

CHAPTER 1607, GI BILL – SELECTED RESERVE
New benefit for Activated Reservists – it is available for certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001. They are either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased education benefits.