Understanding your benefits
Using VA Education Benefits can really help when you are going to college… but… it can also be really complicated! Taking the wrong class, changing your major, or not attending a class could cause you to owe money back to the VA. This information will get you started with the basics and let you know where to go to ask questions.
Which benefit do you have?
No two chapters are the same! Each chapter of benefits has different rules. Your benefit depends on your chapter, the number of credits you are taking, and the number of weeks you will attend each class. Identify your specific chapter so you know which rules to follow.
| Chapter name | Who qualifies for this? Check with VA for eligibility |
|---|---|
 Chapter 30Montgomery GI Bill® |
Current and prior active duty members |
 Chapter 31VA Vocational Rehabilitation |
Veterans who are honorably discharged and receive a service-connected disability rating |
 Chapter 33Post 9/11 GI Bill® |
Veterans that have served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty after 09/11/2001 |
 Chapter 35Dependents Educational Assistance |
Spouses/partners or children of a permanently disabled or fallen service member |
 Chapter 1606Selected Reserve |
State Guard or National Reservists |
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.
If you have questions about your specific chapter, find a PCC Veterans Education Benefits Office or call the VA Education Center at 1-888-442-4551.
