Education & Training

Education and training benefits are available through a range of federal, state, and partner programs that support veterans, eligible family members, and survivors in pursuing approved education and workforce pathways. Benefits may be used for college degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, vocational and technical programs, licensing and certification tests, flight training, correspondence courses, and distance learning. Availability and covered costs vary by program.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several education benefit programs that support eligible veterans, service members, and, in some cases, family members in pursuing approved education and training. VA education benefit programs include:

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

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

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

• Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) (Chapter 32, Title 38, U.S. Code; Public Law 96-342)

Each program has specific eligibility requirements and benefit provisions.

Eligibility depends on the specific program and may be based on factors such as military service, period of service, discharge status, relationship to a veteran, or participation in certain service programs. Some education benefits are available directly to eligible spouses, dependents, and survivors, while others may be transferred from a qualifying service member or veteran.

VA education benefits may include support for tuition and fees, housing assistance, books and supplies, and other approved education-related costs. Depending on the benefit program and eligibility, additional support may be available for licensing and certification tests, apprenticeships and on-the-job training, work-study opportunities, tutorial assistance, and relocation assistance for qualifying individuals.

Available support varies by education benefit program, enrollment status, and training format.

Yes. VA offers Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG/Chapter 36), which provides career counseling, education planning, skills assessment, and guidance to help beneficiaries identify education and career paths aligned with their goals. This service is available to transitioning service members, recently separated veterans, and individuals eligible for VA education benefits.

Yes. VA education benefits may be used for online, distance, independent, or correspondence training, provided the program and institution are VA-approved. Benefit amounts, including housing allowances, may vary based on enrollment format and program rules.

Yes. Some VA education benefits may reimburse costs for licensing and certification tests, national examinations, and other approved testing fees. Coverage and reimbursement limits depend on the specific education benefit program.

If VA education benefits do not fully cover education costs, additional resources may be available, including supplemental programs (such as the Yellow Ribbon Program), state education benefits, grants and scholarships, and student loan options. Availability and eligibility vary by program and location. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can help identify applicable resources.

Eligibility depends on the specific program and may be based on factors such as military service, period of service, discharge status, relationship to a veteran, or participation in certain service programs. Some education benefits are available directly to eligible spouses, dependents, and survivors, while others may be transferred from a qualifying service member or veteran.

Dependents of living veterans may qualify for education benefits in certain situations, such as when a veteran transfers Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits or when state-administered programs are available. Eligibility and benefit use depend on program rules, service history, and other criteria.

In some cases, spouses and children of veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities may be eligible for education benefits, including DEA (Chapter 35) or other programs, depending on the veteran’s disability status and VA determinations.

Eligible family members may use education benefits through federal and state programs to pursue approved education and training opportunities, subject to program-specific eligibility and rules. In some cases, benefits may be transferred from a service member or veteran, such as transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and may require completion of additional application steps, including approval of a Transfer of Entitlement. Other programs may provide education benefits directly to eligible dependents or survivors. Eligibility, covered expenses, and duration of benefits vary by program.

Yes. In addition to standard VA education benefits, supplemental or extended programs may be available for eligible individuals, depending on program requirements and circumstances.

These may include the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, which can provide up to nine additional months of benefits (subject to a statutory maximum) for eligible veterans and Fry Scholars pursuing approved STEM degrees or teaching certificates after Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement is nearly exhausted.

Additional support may also be available through the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help cover tuition and fee costs that exceed the maximum Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit at participating schools for individuals eligible at the 100 percent benefit level.

In some cases, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits may provide education or training support beyond GI Bill entitlement when such training is necessary to achieve employment or independence goals. Eligibility and benefit use are determined by the VA based on individual circumstances.

Availability, eligibility, and duration of supplemental benefits vary by program. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can assist with identifying applicable programs and determining eligibility.

VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), also known as Chapter 31, provides individualized support for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities who are seeking to return to work, pursue education or training, or achieve greater independence. Services may include career counseling, education and training support, employment assistance, and other services based on an individualized rehabilitation plan.

Eligibility is determined by the VA and generally considers factors such as service-connected disability rating, employment barriers, and rehabilitation goals. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can assist with understanding eligibility, exploring program options, and navigating the application process.

Individuals who enlisted in the military on or after October 1, 2003, under the National Call to Service (NCS) program may be eligible for specific education benefits. Eligibility depends on the terms of the enlistment contract with the Department of Defense and the education incentive selected at the time of enlistment. Available benefits may include education assistance options authorized under NCS, subject to program requirements that determine the type of benefit provided and how it may be used.

California offers several state-administered education benefits for eligible dependents of veterans. In addition to the CalVet College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents, other programs and resources may include:

• California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP) for eligible Guard members and, in some cases, dependents

• State or campus-based veteran and dependent scholarships, which vary by institution

• Workforce development and training programs administered through state or regional agencies that support career education and certification programs

The availability, eligibility requirements, and covered costs for these programs vary. Applicants must meet program-specific criteria, including residency and service-related requirements. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can provide guidance on available state education benefits and assist with determining eligibility and next steps.

Yes. The VA Work-Study Program allows eligible individuals using VA education benefits to earn additional income while attending school or training. Participants may work part-time in approved positions—such as VA facilities, veterans service organizations, or campus veterans offices—and are paid an hourly wage while enrolled.

Eligibility depends on enrollment status and use of an approved VA education benefit. Work-study positions and hours are subject to availability and program rules. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can provide guidance on eligibility and how to apply.

Surviving spouses and dependents may be eligible for education benefits through several VA programs, depending on the service member’s circumstances and the individual’s relationship to the service member. These benefits may include education assistance through programs such as Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (DEA), the Fry Scholarship, and, in some cases, transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Eligibility, benefit duration, and covered costs vary by program.

Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can assist with determining which survivor or dependent education benefits may apply.

Eligibility for survivor and dependent education benefits depends on factors such as service history, cause of death or disability, relationship to the service member or veteran, and program-specific rules. Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can review individual circumstances and help identify which education benefits may be available.

Payments may include support for tuition and fees, housing allowances, books and supplies, and other approved education-related costs, depending on the benefit used.

Current payment rates and program-specific details are published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
View the most up-to-date VA education benefit rates at:
https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/