Types of Veterans Benefits

The Montgomery GI Bill is for individuals who have served on Active Duty. Benefits are provided up to 36 months and generally must be used within 10 years of discharge. This bill can be applied prior to discharge. The monthly benefit is paid based on the type of training, length of service, category, and if DoD puts extra money in the veteran’s MGIB fund (called Kickers). Monthly W.A.V.E (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) verification is required to receive payments.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) is for veterans who have a service-connected disability. To receive services, a veteran must be found both eligible and entitled. The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E services may be used is 12 years from the date of separation from active military service or 12 years from the date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating. This benefit pays the school directly for the student’s books, tuition and fees. In addition, the student will receive a subsistence allowance that is paid each month during training and is based on the rate of attendance (full-time or part-time) and the number of dependents.

The applicant needs to meet with a VA counselor to apply for Chapter 31 benefits or apply online. Once the VA has determined eligibility, the veteran must send authorization to the Office of the Registrar, Veterans Student Services to certify enrollment each semester.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is for veterans and military family members based on the service member completing at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. This benefit pays in-state tuition rate directly to the university. Additionally, students will receive a payment of up to $1,000 annually ($41.67 per credit hour) for books and supplies and monthly housing allowance based on the Department of Defense (DoD) Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate for E-5’s with dependents. (Amount varies annually.) The amount of this benefit varies from 40% to 100% depending on length of active duty service.

The post 9/11 benefits include a housing allowance based on an enlisted E5/ Sergeant and location of the school. The rate for Atlanta is $1149.00 a month.

Housing Allowance chart [PDF] 

Chapter 33 Post 9/11
http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/pamphlets/ch33_pamphlet.pdf  
http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/index.html 

Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents or certain veterans. Dependents receive up to 45 months of full-time benefits. Children generally are eligible for benefits between the ages of 18 and 26.

Important note: Chapter 35 recipients must provide the Veterans Certifying Official with both the military learner and the veteran's social security numbers in order to establish a VA-ONCE Account.

The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. A reservist may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of eligibility for the program, or on the day personnel leaves the Selected Reserve. One exception to this rule exists: If reservist is mobilized, their eligibility may be extended for the amount of time mobilized PLUS four months. So even if personnel leave the reserves after mobilization, they may have additional eligibility to the Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR). Monthly W.A.V.E (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) verification is required to receive payments.

The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) is a Department of Defense program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the reserve components ordered to active duty in response to a war or a national emergency declared by the President or Congress. These components include Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army IRR, Air Force IRR, Navy IRR and Marine Corps IRR. A member ordered to active service while serving in the reserve component remains entitled to benefits under REAP only by continuing to serve in the reserve component. Entitlement under REAP is 36 months. There is a 48-month limitation when combining this benefit with one or more education programs. Monthly W.A.V.E (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) verification is required to receive payments.