Veteran Education Benefits & Programs

Benefits & Programs

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Chapter 33, Title 38 U.S. Code

Eligible Individuals (38 CFR 21.9520)

Generally, an individual who served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, will be eligible for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Active duty served as a member of the Armed Forces or as a result of a call or order to active duty from a reserve component under section 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12303(g), 12302, or 12304 of Title 10 is qualifying active duty service.

For additional information about chapter 33, visit the GI Bill website:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

Fry Scholarship

The Fry Scholarship added a new eligibility criterion to chapter 33. It provides benefit eligibility for children of active duty members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. An information sheet about the Fry Scholarship is available at:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/education/Fry_Scholarship.pdf

Montgomery GI Bill- Active Duty (MGIB-AD) Chapter 30, Title 38 U.S. Code

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. For further information on the four eligibility categories, visit:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp

Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35,Title 38 U.S. Code

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: 

  • A child (between ages 18 and 26, with some exceptions) of a Veteran who is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition; or who died in service; or who died of a service-connected disability; or who died while evaluated as having total and permanent service-connected disability; or who is listed as a POW or MIA
  • The surviving spouse of a Veteran who died of a service-connected disability, or died in service, or died while evaluated as having total and permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability. Surviving spouses, whose benefits stopped when they remarried can receive DEA benefits again if their remarriage ends by death, divorce, or they cease to live with the person to whom they presented themselves in public as married
  • A spouse of a Veteran or serviceperson who has a total and permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability; or who is listed as a POW or MIA
  • The spouse or child of a service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service-connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability
  • A child, spouse, or surviving spouse may be eligible for special restorative training where needed to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability for the purpose of enabling an eligible person to pursue a special vocational program or other appropriate goal

Find more information on our Dependents Educational Assistance webpage.

​Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) Chapter 1606, Title 10 U.S. Code

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. Find more information on our rates webpage.

Chapter 1606 Kickers: An additional amount, called a kicker, may be added to the benefit of some chapter 1606 students. The possible monthly kicker levels are $100, $200, and $350. A chapter 1606 kicker may be a part of the original enlistment contract or part of a re-enlistment contract.

Veterans Readiness and Employment for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities  Chapter 31, Title 38 U.S. Code

A Veteran may be eligible for Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits if he or she:

  • Has received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
  • Has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
  • Applies for Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services

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

  • The date of separation from active military service, or
  • The date the Veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating 

For additional information about VR&E contact the Regional Office in the state of the Veteran.  The New York Regional Office is located at:

NY Regional Office

245 West Houston Street
New York, NY 10014
Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/newyork/

Helpful Links

Contact us

524 West 59th Street
BMW, 607
New York, NY 10019

Chrissy Pacheco
Associate Director, Veteran Certifying Official/Financial Aid Liaison for Student Veterans/Fostering College Success Financial Aid Coordinator
cpacheco@jjay.cuny.edu

James Ifill
Financial Aid Advisor
jifill@jjay.cuny.edu