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VA Education & Training Benefits

Build Your Next Chapter.

VA education and training benefits may help eligible Veterans, service members, and qualifying family members pursue college, career training, apprenticeships, certifications, and other educational goals.

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Education Benefits for Veterans that can support your future

Your military service may have earned more than one type of education or training benefit. Depending on your service history, disability status, program, and family circumstances, VA benefits may help with tuition, training expenses, housing, books and supplies, career counseling, or employment preparation.

The right program depends on your individual eligibility. Understanding the differences between the GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), dependent education programs, and other benefits can help you identify the options that may apply to you.

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VA Education & Training Programs

VA offers several education and career programs. Eligibility, payment amounts, entitlement, and program rules vary.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can help eligible Veterans and service members pay for approved education and training. Depending on eligibility and the program, benefits may cover tuition and fees and may provide money for housing and books and supplies.

Qualifying uses can include college and graduate programs, vocational or technical training, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, licensing and certification tests, flight training, and certain distance-learning programs.

Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E)

VR&E is different from the GI Bill. It is designed for eligible Veterans and service members whose service-connected disabilities affect their ability to prepare for, obtain, or maintain suitable employment.

Depending on the rehabilitation plan, VR&E may provide career counseling, education or vocational training, employment assistance, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, and other support.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve

Eligible members of the Selected Reserve may qualify for education benefits through the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve program. Eligibility depends on service and program requirements.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) provides education and training assistance to qualifying Veterans and service members who meet the program’s service and other eligibility requirements.

Education Benefits for Spouses, Children & Survivors

Certain spouses, children, and survivors may qualify for transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used for more than a traditional four-year degree. Eligible Veterans may use benefits for a range of approved education and training programs.
  • College and graduate degree programs
  • Vocational and technical training
  • Apprenticeships and on-the-job training
  • Licensing and certification tests and preparation
  • Flight training and certain specialized programs
  • Qualifying distance or independent learning
The Yellow Ribbon Program may provide additional assistance toward qualifying tuition and fees at participating schools for eligible students.
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Post-9/11 GI Bill

When a Disability Changes Your Career Path

A service-connected disability can affect the type of work you can safely perform or make it difficult to continue in your previous career.

VR&E may help eligible Veterans explore employment options, identify suitable career goals, obtain education or training, return to a previous job, pursue self-employment, or receive independent-living services, depending on the Veteran’s needs and rehabilitation plan.

VR&E eligibility is not simply the same as GI Bill eligibility.

VA evaluates service-connected disability and employment-related factors when determining entitlement to VR&E services.

Veterans generally need a service-connected disability rating and must meet VA’s other eligibility requirements. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor makes the entitlement determination after the application and evaluation.

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When Should You File a PTSD or Mental Health Claim

Education Benefits Can Extend Beyond You

RLGVA assists Veterans with VA disability matters involving PTSD and a range of other mental health conditions.

Transferred GI Bill Benefits

A qualifying service member may be able to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent child when VA and Department of Defense requirements are met.

DEA / Chapter 35

Certain spouses or children of Veterans or service members may qualify for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance when applicable eligibility requirements are met.

Fry Scholarship

Eligible children and surviving spouses of certain service members who died in the line of duty may qualify for education benefits through the Fry Scholarship.

Yellow Ribbon

Participating schools may provide additional assistance toward qualifying tuition and fees for eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill students.
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Start With the Right Benefit

Before applying, identify the program that matches your service history, current circumstances, education goals, and eligibility.
Check Your Eligibility
Review your service history, discharge status, disability rating if applicable, and whether you have already used education benefits.

Compare Your Options
Use VA's education resources and GI Bill Comparison Tool to review schools, programs, and benefit options before committing to a program.

Apply for the Appropriate Program
Eligible Veterans can apply online for several GI Bill programs. VA Form 22-1990 is used for several Veteran education programs, while family members and VR&E applicants use different applications.

Work With Your School or Counselor
Your school may need to certify enrollment. For VR&E, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor evaluates your circumstances and works with you on an appropriate rehabilitation plan.

Track Your Benefits
Keep records of eligibility, enrollment, payments, remaining entitlement, and communications with VA. Follow current enrollment-verification requirements that apply to your program.

Talk to a VA Benefit Lawyer

Your VA Disability Rating can be part of the Picture

Some education and employment programs are connected to service-connected disability eligibility. VR&E, for example, may be available when a service-connected disability creates an employment handicap.

If you believe a condition related to military service has not been properly recognized by VA, the underlying disability claim may be relevant to your available benefits. The appropriate legal strategy depends on the facts, evidence, and VA decisions in your case.

VA Disability Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about VA Education Benefits
What is the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a VA education benefit for qualifying Veterans, service members, and certain family members. Depending on eligibility and the approved program, it can help with tuition and fees and may provide housing and books-and-supplies benefits.

Can VA education benefits be used for trade school?
Yes. Qualifying VA education benefits may be used for certain vocational and technical programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and other approved career-training programs.

What is the difference between the GI Bill and VR&E?
The GI Bill is primarily an education benefit. VR&E is an employment and rehabilitation program for eligible Veterans and service members whose service-connected disabilities affect their employment path. VR&E may include education or training when it is part of an approved rehabilitation plan.

Can I use VA education benefits if I have a disability rating?
A VA disability rating does not automatically determine eligibility for every education program. However, a service-connected disability can be important for programs such as VR&E, and other education programs have their own eligibility rules.

How do I apply for VA education benefits?
VA allows online applications for several education programs. Veterans may also use VA Form 22-1990 for certain GI Bill benefits. Other programs, including VR&E and benefits for family members, use different applications.