Post-9/11 VA benefits

***Important Message for all students utilizing Ch. 33 Post 9/11 VA Benefits***

Effective immediately, all students utilizing Ch. 33 benefits will need to provide the MVS office a current Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before your benefits will be processed.

• In order for your COE to be considered valid and current it must contain the following:
  • Remaining benefit
  • Benefit Level
  • If printed from EBenefits, the COE must have a print date on the page.
  • If you are current student, the last COE you received from VA will fulfill requirement.
• If your benefits exhaust during a semester:
  • Solider or Veteran- Your tuition and fees will be covered at your current percentage unless you have hit you 48 month limit.
  • Transfer of Entitlement- You will be required to pay 100% of your tuition and fees and will be refunded the prorated amount of tuition and fees sent by the VA.

I. Benefit Description 

The Post-9/11 VA benefit is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 VA benefits. The Post-9/11 VA benefit will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. This program will pay eligible individuals:

• Tuition and fees directly to the school not to exceed the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning. See payment rates chart.
• A monthly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the school's location teaching site where you are taking the majority of your credits. Determine the BAH for your school’s ZIP code.
• An annual books &supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment
• A one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals see comparison chart for more information.

This benefit is payable only for training at an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) (See comparison chart for more information). If you are enrolled exclusively in online training you will not receive the housing allowance. If you are on active duty you will not receive the housing allowance or books &supplies stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

For active-duty personnel, the following table applies:

Active Duty Completed After  September 10, 2001	Percentage of Maximum  Amount Payable
At least 36 months	100%
At least 30 continuous days on active duty and  discharged due to service-connected disability	100%
30 months to 36 months	90%
24 months to 30 months	80%
18 months to 24 months	70%
12 months to 18 months	60%
6 months to 12 months	50%
90 days to 6 months	40%

 

For reservists, the following table applies:

Post- 9/11 Service	Percentage of Maximum Amount Payable
At least 36 cumulative months	100%
At least 30 continuous days on active duty and discharged due to service-connected disability	100%
At least 30 cumulative months	90%
At least 24 cumulative months	80%
At least 18 cumulative months	70%
At least 12 cumulative months	60%
At least 6 cumulative months	50%
90 aggregate days	40%

II. Benefit Eligibility

Only active duty service performed after September 10, 2001, may be considered for determining eligibility for this new benefit. To be eligible, a service member or veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty. However, individuals honorably discharged for a service-connected disability who served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, may also establish eligibility.

III. How to Apply

We will begin accepting applications for the Post-9/11 VA benefits May 1, 2009. For additional information, including how to apply for benefits, visit the VA website. We will update our website as new information becomes available.

You should then make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.

Visit our office, located in Washington Hall, or give us a call at (706) 729-2255. You can also contact your local VA Regional Office for additional assistance by dialing the toll-free number, 1-888-442-4551.