VA Benefit Programs
The VA administers education benefits under several different programs, each with its own eligibility requirements, payment rates, and payment structure. This page gives you a brief overview of each so you can confirm you have the right chapter and understand how your benefit works before you apply.
One distinction matters more than most: not all VA benefits pay APSU directly. Knowing whether your payment goes to the school or to you determines how you handle your APSU bill.
How Your Benefit Is Paid
These benefits pay APSU directly for tuition and fees:
These benefits pay you directly — you pay APSU separately:
If you are not sure which chapter you have, log in to VA.gov or contact the VA at 1-888-442-4551.
Post-9/11 GI Bill® — Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® is for 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. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will determine your eligibility and percentage.
What the VA pays:
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Tuition and fees paid directly to APSU, up to the maximum in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at a public Institution of Higher Learning
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Monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents at the location of the school, paid directly to you
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Books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per academic year, paid proportionately based on enrollment, directly to you
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One-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals
Notes:
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If you are enrolled exclusively in online courses, the MHA is reduced to the national average rate
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If you are on active duty, you will not receive the MHA but are entitled to the books and supplies stipend
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Benefits are payable for up to 36 months; generally payable for 15 years following your release from active duty
VA application form: VA Form 22-1990 (new applicants) · VA Form 22-1995 (changing schools)
Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty — Chapter 30
The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty is for service members who entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985 and had $100 per month deducted from their pay for the first 12 months of service.
What the VA pays: A monthly stipend paid directly to you. You pay APSU for tuition and fees separately. Benefits are payable for up to 36 months.
VA application form: VA Form 22-1990 (new applicants) · VA Form 22-1995 (changing schools)
Learn more about Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty benefits on VA.gov
VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment — Chapter 31
VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) is available to veterans who have a service-connected disability that creates a barrier to employment or independent living and who need education, training, or other services to reach their employment goals. Eligibility is determined by a VA VR&E counselor, not through a standard VA education application.
What the VA pays: Tuition and fees paid directly to APSU. You also receive a monthly subsistence allowance paid directly to you, along with coverage for books and supplies.
How it works at APSU: The VR&E process begins with your VA counselor, who approves your education plan before enrollment. Our office works directly with VA Vocational Rehabilitation to coordinate your certification each term — contact us once your counselor has approved your plan.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program — Chapter 32 (VEAP)
VEAP is for service members who voluntarily contributed to the program during service between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985. The Department of Defense matched contributions at a 2-to-1 ratio.
What the VA pays: A monthly stipend paid directly to you, based on your total contributions. You pay APSU for tuition and fees separately. Benefits are payable for up to 36 months.
VA application form: VA Form 22-1990 (new applicants) · VA Form 22-1995 (changing schools)
Fry Scholarship — Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
The Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to the children and surviving spouses of active duty service members who died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
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Children may use the benefit from age 18 (or upon receiving a high school diploma) until their 33rd birthday
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Surviving spouses have 15 years from the service member's date of death to use the benefit if the death occurred before January 1, 2013; if the death occurred on or after that date, no time limit applies
What the VA pays: The same benefit structure as the Post-9/11 GI Bill® — tuition and fees paid directly to APSU, monthly housing allowance, and books/supplies stipend paid directly to the recipient.
VA application form: VA Form 22-5490 (new applicants) · VA Form 22-5495 (changing schools or program)
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance — Chapter 35 (DEA)
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of veterans who have a permanent total service-connected disability, or who died from a service-connected condition.
What the VA pays: A monthly stipend paid directly to you. You pay APSU for tuition and fees separately. Benefits are payable for up to 45 months.
VA application form: VA Form 22-5490 (new applicants) · VA Form 22-5495 (changing schools or program)
Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve — Chapter 1606
The Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve is available to members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard who have a 6-year service obligation in the Selected Reserve.
What the VA pays: A monthly stipend paid directly to you. You pay APSU for tuition and fees separately. Benefits are payable for up to 36 months. Eligibility ends if you leave the Selected Reserve before completing your obligation.
VA application form: VA Form 22-1990 (new applicants) · VA Form 22-1995 (changing schools)
Learn more about Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve benefits on VA.gov
Ready to Use Your Benefits at APSU?
All students using VA education benefits at APSU follow the same enrollment steps regardless of benefit chapter. Visit How to Apply to find the checklist that fits your situation.
Not sure which benefit is right for you? The VA's GI Bill® Comparison Tool lets you compare benefit amounts and explore schools.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).