Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents

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Benefit Programs (continued)

Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Eligibility | Period of Eligibility | Payments | Training Available | Work-Study | Counseling

Eligibility

Under VEAP, active duty personnel voluntarily participated in a plan for education or training in which their savings were administered and added to by the federal government. Servicemembers were eligible to enroll in VEAP if they entered active duty for the first time after Dec. 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985. Some contribution to VEAP must have been made prior to April 1, 1987. The maximum participant contribution is $2,700. While on active duty, participants may make a lump-sum contribution to the training fund.

Servicemembers who participated in VEAP is eligible to receive benefits while on active duty if: (1) at least three months of contributions are available, except for high school or elementary school, in which case only one month is needed; and (2) they enlisted for the first time after Sept. 7, 1980, and completed 24 months of their first period of active duty. Visit (http://www.gibill.va.gov) for length of service requirements for those who enlisted for the first time prior to Sept. 7, 1980.

To use benefits after separation from active duty, veterans must receive a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable for the qualifying period of service. Veterans who enlisted for the first time after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered active duty as an officer or enlistee after Oct. 16, 1981, must have completed 24 continuous months of active duty, unless they meet a qualifying exception.

Period of Eligibility

Eligibility generally expires 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty. Under special circumstances, the 10-year period may be extended.

Payments

The Department of Defense will match the participant's contribution at the rate of $2 for every $1 the individual put into the fund. The Department of Defense may make additional contributions, or "kickers," on behalf of individuals in critical military fields, as deemed necessary to encourage enlistment. For training in college, vocational or technical schools, the amount of money participants receive each month depends on the type and hours of training pursued. The maximum basic rate is $300 a month for full-time training.

Training Available

VEAP participants may pursue: associate, bachelor or graduate degrees at colleges or universities including accredited independent study, which may be offered through distant education; courses leading to a certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools; apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs; cooperative courses which consist of a full-time program of alternating school instruction and training in business or industry; correspondence courses; flight training; tutorial assistance; refresher, remedial or deficiency course if needed to complete a program of study; refresher training to update skills for technological advances that occurred while the veteran was on active duty or after separation; and state-approved alternative teacher certification programs. VEAP participants may also receive benefits for approved licensing and certification tests.

Work-Study

Eligibility for the Work-Study program under VEAP is the same as under the Montgomery GI Bill.

Tutorial Assistance

Benefits for tutorial assistance are the same as under the Montgomery GI Bill.

Counseling

Eligibility for VA counseling under VEAP is the same as under the Montgomery GI Bill.

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