VA Education Benefits at Idaho State University

Post-9/11 GI Bill - Chapter 33

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 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 GI Bill.

Eligibility percentage is based on the service members length of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill will cover in-state tuition and mandatory fees charged by the school. Tuition and fees will be sent directly to the school based on the student's eligibilty level.

Students attending classes at the greater than ½ time rate, will receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($673.44 for the 2011 academic year & $684.00 for the 2012 academic year). MHA payments are sent directly to the student. Active duty soliders will not receive an MHA payment.

An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 will be paid proportionately based on enrollment. Book & supply stipends are sent direct to the student.

This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following the service members release from active duty.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill to dependents.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) - Chapter 30

Chapter 30 has four eligibility categories. The benefits generally apply to veterans who began active duty service for the first time after June 30, 1985, had their pay reduced $100 a month for 12 months, and received an honorable discharge.

To be eligible for education payments under MGIB, veterans must possess an Honorable discharge. This would exclude those veterans with a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions or any other discharge other than Honorable. Also excluded are officers who obtained their commission after 12/31/76, through a military academy (Annapolis, West Point, Air Force Academy, or Coast Guard Academy), or through an ROTC scholarship program (payments exceeding $3,400/yr).

Persons who obtained an honorable medical discharge are eligible even if they did not complete their obligated period of active duty. They receive one month of Chapter 30 benefits for each month of active duty. Chapter 30 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran.

Servicepersons who participate in Chapter 30 contribute $1,200.00 towards Chapter 30. The contribution is non-refundable, with one exception. Chapter 30 (category 1 only) students who elect and then exhaust their Chapter 33 entitlement and are receiving a monthly housing allowance will receive a refund of the $1,200.00 contribution proportional to the amount of unused chapter 30 entitlement at the time of election for chapter 33. The refund is included in their last monthly housing allowance payment.

Servicepersons may contribute up to $600.00 more into the program. The maximum $600.00 additional contribution will increase the basic full-time Chapter 30 benefit by $150.00 per month. Additional contributions are not refundable for those who elect Chapter 33.

This benefit can provide up to 36 months of entitlement, generally benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGID-SR) - Chapter 1606

Chapter 1606 is an educational program for members who are actively participating in the Selected Reserve. Selected Reserve components include the Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) determine who’s eligible for Chapter 1606. The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program and pays benefits.

Basic eligibility requires a 6-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve and satisfactory participation in required Selected Reserve training. Chapter 1606 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the reservist.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) - Chapter 1607

This is an educational program for active members of the Selected Reserve called to active duty and members of the Individual Ready Reserve (Army IRR, Air Force IRR, Navy IRR and Marine Corps IRR) called to active duty in support of a contingency operation or a national emergency declared by the President or Congress. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) determine who’s eligible for Chapter 1607. The Department of Veterans Affairs administers the program and pays benefits.

Members of the Selective Reserve may be eligible for Chapter 1607 and Chapter 33 after serving 90 consecutive days on active duty for a contingency operation. The Chapter 1607 benefit pays a percentage of the Chapter 30 three-year or more rate based on the number of continuous service days on active duty: 90 days but less than 1 year pays 40%, 1 year but less than 2 years pays 60%, and service of two continuous years or of an aggregate of three years or more pays 80% payment of the three-year rate. The 80% rate can be paid for two continuous years or an aggregate call-up service of three years or more. Chapter 1607 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment - Chapter 31

A veteran may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefits if he or she:

The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E’s VetSuccess services may be used is 12 years from the latter of:

Effective August 1, 2011. An individual eligible for Chapter 33 who is receiving benefits under Chapter 31 may elect to receive the applicable Chapter 33 Monthly Housing Allowance in lieu of the monthly subsistence allowance. Students should contact their Vocational Rehabilitation counselors for additional information.

For additional information about VR&E contact the Regional Office in the state of the veteran.

Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) - Chapter 35

Educational Assistance paid to dependents of veterans who have a service connected permanent and total disability or died as a result of service connection. Persons who may be eligible are:

The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. Chapter 35 benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the dependent.

Fry Scholarship

The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship is available to children of service members who died in the line of duty after Sept. 10, 2001. A child may be married or over 23 and still be eligible. Children may use the benefit until their 33rd birthday. Eligible children are entitled to 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the 100% level, however they are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Kickers & Buy-Up

A veteran or service member my recieve a kicker, the buy-up, or both. If veterans or service members don’t receive the benefit they believe they are entitled to receive, they should call VA about the discrepancy so that VA can resolve the discrepancy with the Department of Defense.

Kickers

An additional amount, called a kicker, may be added to some Chapter 1606, 1607, 30, and 33 monthly payments. A kicker may be a part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract.

Buy-Up

Chapters 30 and 1607 can participate in the “Buy-up” program. They can pay up to $600.00 to increase their monthly benefit by as much as $150.00 per month.

The Buy-up program is not transferrable to chapter 33 nor is it refundable.

Payment Rates

Click here to view current payment rates for chapter's 30, 1606, 1607, and 35.

Click here to view the Basic Allowance for Housing for chapter 33. All ISU students are paid as an E-5 with dependents based on the school's 83209 zip code.

Click here to view the Subsistence Allowance for chapter 31.

Tuition Assistance & Top-Up

Tuition Assistance

The Tuition Assistance (TA) program provides financial assistance for voluntary off-duty education programs in support of a Soldier's professional and personal self-development goals. The courses must be offered by schools that are registered in GoArmyEd and are accredited by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All eligible Soldiers will request TA through www.goarmyed.com. Non-Army service members must obtain TA through their branch of Service.

TA provides $250 per semester hour with a fiscal year cap of $4500. Authorized fees covered by TA are mandatory fees that are associated with an individual course enrollment. Non-refundable fees and fees that are not linked to individual course enrollments (e.g., application fees, graduation fees) are not covered by TA.

Tuition Assistance Procedures:

For more information visit, www.goarmyed.com.

Tuition Assistance & Post-9/11

When a student is using both TA and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, TA will come in as the first payer then the remaining tuition and fee balance will be reported to the VA.

Excess TA funds are never dispersed to the student.

Top-Up

Top-up will pay the difference between what the cost of college course and the amount that Federal Tuition Assistance pays. To be eligible for the Top-up benefit, a soldier must be eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance and MGIB-AD benefits by serving at least 2 full years on Active Duty. To Apply for Top-up the solider will send the TA Authorization form and VA Form 22-1990 to the VA. When submitting the 22-1990, indicate "Top-up" on item 10A. Top-up approval will go direct to the VA not the VA Certifying Official at the school.

Student Loan Repayment

Information for Student Loan Repayment can be found at www.goarmyed.com.

Credit Load Requirements

Rate of Pursuit (Chapter 33)

VA calculates rate of pursuit by dividing the credit hours (or credit hour equivalents) being pursued by the number of credits considered to be full-time by the school. The resulting percentage is the student’s rate of pursuit.

The Chapter 33 housing allowance is paid if rate of pursuit is more than 50%.

Training Time (Chapters 30, 31, 35, 1606, and 1607)

Fall & Spring Semesters

Undergraduate:

Graduate:

*The VA will only pay cost of tuition and fees for chapters 30, 35, and 1607 attending <1/2 time or <1/4 time.

Summer Semester

The VA converts credits earned during the summer semesters to credit hour equivalents. The VA will make the conversion, not the school. The school will report the actual number of credits taken during a specific time frame.

The formula used by the VA to determine credit hour equivalents is:

Click the Credit Equivalent Chart to view a breakdown of the credit hour equivalents.

Licensing and Certification Tests

The VA will reimburse the cost of approved licensing and certification tests. Students are reimbursed the cost of the test, not to exceed the approved cost of the test or $2,000. Benefits can be paid for tests that are not passed, for tests retaken if not passed, and for tests required to be recertified or to renew a license.

Students must be eligible for benefits to receive test reimbursement. They must have remaining entitlement and their delimiting date must not have passed. Entitlement is prorated based on the amount reimbursed. If a student’s full-time benefit is $1000 per month and the student is reimbursed $500 for a test, then the student’s remaining entitlement will be reduced by ½ month.

VA students can apply for test fee reimbursement by completing and submitting a VA Form 22-0803, Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees.

More information can be found at www.gibill.va.gov.

National Tests

The VA will reimburse individuals for required test fees, but not for any optional costs related to the testing process. Student must be eligible for benefits to receive a reimbursement for test fees. They must have remaining entitlement and their delimiting date must not have passed. Individuals may be reimbursed for multiple national tests (e.g. SAT, GRE, LSAT, etc). One month of entitlement (rounded to the nearest whole month) will be charged for each $1,460 paid. The test must be approved for VA benefits, click here for a list of approved exams.

Test fees that VA will reimburse include:

Fees VA will not reimburse include:

VA students can apply for test fee reimbursement by completing and submitting a VA Form 22-8010, Application for Reimbursement of National Exam Fee.

More information can be found at www.gibill.va.gov.