Education Information

Educational assistance is available for U.S. military veterans and members of the National Guard and Selected Reserve. In some cases, dependents of veterans in certain categories may be eligible for these benefits. In all instances, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility. The VA sends monthly benefit checks directly to the student following verification of enrollment each semester. Receipt of VA benefits may have an impact on levels of federal and state financial aid for which a student may be eligible, and therefore inquiries regarding financial aid eligibility should be directed to the Norfolk State University Office of Financial Aid. Students who will attend school under the sponsorship of the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program should make their initial inquiry to the VA by calling the toll-free number 1-800-827-1000. The University accepts the College Fee Waiver for Vocational Rehabilitation recipients. Applications and appropriate documentation should be completed at the Veterans Affairs Office at least 6-10 weeks prior to the term starting date to ensure timely processing. Application materials will be forwarded to the Regional Processing Office in Buffalo, New York. Montgomery GI Bill monthly checks are sent directly to the student, Post-9/11 GI Bill monthly checks housing allowance and the book stipend checks are sent to the student, the tuition checks are sent to the University.

GI Bill Programs:

• CHAPTER 33 Post - 9/11 GI Bill

• CHAPTER 30 Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty

• CHAPTER 31 Vocational Rehabilitation

• CHAPTER 32 VEAP (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program)

• CHAPTER 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

• CHAPTER 106 (1606) Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve

• CHAPTER 1607 Activated Reservists

• Other College Assistance Benefits Available

CHAPTER 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is effective August 1, 2009. Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, correspondence training, licensing and national testing programs, and tutorial assistance. All training programs must be approved for GI Bill benefits. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.

The Post 9-11 GI Bill will pay eligible individuals:

• Your full tuition & fees directly to the school for all public school in-state students. For those attending private or foreign schools tuition & fees are capped at $17,500 per academic year.
• If you are attending a private Institution of Higher Learning in AZ, MI, NH, NY, PA, SC or TX you may be eligible for a higher tuition reimbursement rate.
• A monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school. For those enrolled solely in distance learning the housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents ($673.50 for the 2011 academic year).
• An annual books & supplies stipend of $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.
• A one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals.

For more information or to apply for benefits, see http://www.gibill.va.gov

The Post-9/11 GI Bill also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer their GI Bill to dependents.

Transfer of Post-9/11 GI-Bill Benefits to Dependents (TEB)

For the first time in history, service members enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program will be able to transfer unused educational benefits to their spouses or children starting August 1, 2009.

Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve, officer or enlisted) on or after August 1, 2009, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and:

1. Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.

Has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of approval, is precluded by either standard policy (Service or DoD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute.

3. Is or becomes retirement eligible during the period from August 1, 2009, through July 31, 2012, and agrees to serve an additional period of service in subparagraphs (a) through (d). A Service member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active Federal service or 20 qualifying years as computed pursuant to section 12732 of title 10 U.S.C. This will no longer be in effect on August 1, 2013, and on or after that date all members must comply with paragraphs 1 and 2.

   • For individuals eligible for retirement on August 1, 2009, no additional service is required.

   • For individuals eligible for retirement after August 1, 2009, and before August 1, 2010, 1 year of additional service is required.

   • For individuals eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2010, and before August 1, 2011, 2 years of additional service is required.

   • For individuals eligible for retirement on or after August 1, 2011, and before August 1, 2012, 3 years of additional service is required.

4. Such transfer must be requested and approved while the member is in the Armed Forces.

Nature of Transfer

An eligible Service member may transfer up to the total months of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, or the entire 36 months if the member has used none (unless DoD/DHS limits the number of months an individual may transfer).

To apply for to the DoD transfer or benefits, see http://dmdc.osd.mil/teb . This website is only available to military members.

Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits with VA by completing VA Form 22-1990e. VA Form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB. Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to apply for TEB.

To apply for VA education benefits, see http://www.gibill.va.gov/apply-for-benefits/application .

CHAPTER 30 - Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for Active Duty

Individuals who have been on active duty since July 1, 1985, and who paid into an education fund for one year are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for Active Duty. They receive 36 months of full-time benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses but must have prior approval by the Veterans Administration. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty. Please see Required Documents about how to apply for the Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 benefits. For the payment rate, please see Monthly Education Allowance Rates.

Please see required documents chart

CHAPTER 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation

A veteran of World War II or thereafter who has a service-connected disability (80% - 100%) which entitles him or her to VA disability compensation and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation because his or her disability creates an employment handicap may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits. Vocational rehabilitation may be provided for up to 48 months and an eligible veteran now generally has 12 years from VA discharge or release from active duty in which to use these benefits.

Disabled veterans are encouraged to contact the VA Regional Office in Hampton, Virginia at (757) 441-6762, to obtain detailed information and to request VA Form 28-1900, the Disabled Veteran’s Application for Vocational Rehabilitation. For assistance regarding the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, CHAPTER 31, Cynthia Lewis, VA Certifying Official, (757) 823-2586, or send email correspondence at veteransaffairs@nsu.edu 

CHAPTER 32 - VEAP (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program)

VEAP is available for those who entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985, and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. See Required Documents on how to apply for the Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 32 benefits. For the payment rate, please see Monthly Education Allowance Rates.

CHAPTER 35 - Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program

The sons, daughters, spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible for educational assistance if the veteran died while on active duty, died after release or discharge from active duty or a service-connected disability (80%-100%), became permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability, died while a service-connected disability was rated permanent and total, or has been listed as missing in action, captured, detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power for more than 90 days. Eligible persons are entitled to 45 months of educational assistance and are paid benefits on the same basis as a veteran with no dependents. See Required Documents on how to apply for the Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 35 entitlement. For the payment rate, please see Monthly Education Allowance Rates.

CHAPTER 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve

Individuals who are in the Selected Reserve or National Guard (not on active duty) who, after June 30, 1985, enlists, reenlists or extends an enlistment in the Selected Reserve are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill for the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. They must be actively drilling and under a 6-year contract. They are only eligible for benefits while they remain in the reserves. See Required Documents on how to apply for the Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 1606 benefits. For the payment rate, please see Monthly Education Allowance Rates.



CHAPTER 1607- Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

A new education benefit for Activated Reservists was signed into law on October 28, 2004. The new benefit makes certain individuals who are members of a reserve component, who serve on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10 U/S Code for a contingency operation, and who serve at least 90 consecutive days or more eligible for Chapter 1607. National Guard members are also eligible if their active duty is under section 502(f), title 32 U.S.C. and they serve for 90 consecutive days when authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency that is supported by federal funds. Individuals are eligible as soon as they reach the 90-day point whether or not they are currently on active duty. Disabled members who are injured or have an illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and are released from active duty before completing 90 consecutive days are also eligible. See Required Documents on how to apply for Chapter 1607 Activated Reservists.

Other College Assistance Benefits Available

→   Work-Study Benefits (VA4-8690)
→  Tutorial Assistance