The various versions of educational benefits available to veterans, including the GI BILL®, eligibility requirements, and names of the programs can be confusing. The Chart below is provided to help you understand what educational benefit you are eligible to receive.

ItemPost-9/11 GI BILL® (Chapter 33)Montgomery GI BILL®-Active Duty (Chapter 30)Montgomery GI BILL®-Selective Reserve (Chapter 1606)Reserve Education Assistance Program-REAP (Chapter 1607)Veterans Education Assistance Program-VEAP (Chapter 32)Dependents Educational Assistance Program-DEAP (Chapter 35)
VA Brochure LinkVA LinkVA LinkVA LinkVA LinkVA LinkVA Link
Minimum Length of Service (Time of Service)90 days active aggregate service (after 9/10/01) or 30 days continuous if discharged for disability2 yr. continuous enlistment (minimum duty varies by service date, branch, etc.)6 yr. commitment (after 6/30/85)90 days active continuous service (after 9/10/01)181 continuous days active service (between 12/31/76 and 7/1/85)1Not applicable
Maximum # of Months of Benefits 2363636363645
How Payments Are MadeTuition: Paid to school Housing stipend: Paid monthly to student Books & Supplies: Paid to student at the beginning of the termPaid to studentPaid to studentPaid to studentPaid to studentPaid to student
Duration of BenefitsGenerally 15 years from last day of active dutyGenerally 10 years from last day of active dutyEnds the day you leave Selected ReserveGenerally 10 years from the day you leave the Selected Reserve or the day you leave the IRR 410 yrs from last day of active dutySpouse: 10 – 20 years 3 Child: Ages 18-26
Degree TrainingYesYesYesYesYesYes
Non College Degree TrainingYesYesYesYesYesYes
On-the-Job & Apprenticeship TrainingYesYesYesYesYesYes
Flight TrainingYesYesYesYesYesYes
Correspondence CoursesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Licensing & CertificationYesYesYesYesYesYes
National Testing ProgramsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Work-Study ProgramYesYesYesYesYesYes
Tutorial Assistance 5YesYesYesNoYesYes
  • The amount of time varies according to when the Veteran enlisted and entered active duty.
  • You may receive a maximum of 48 months of benefits combined if you are eligible for more than one VA education program.
  • Spouses are generally eligible to receive benefits for 10 years. However, spouses of individuals rated total and permanent within 3 years of discharge and spouses of individuals who die on active duty are granted a 20-year eligibility period.
  • The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is a category of the Ready Reserve of the Reserve Component of the Armed Forces.
  • VA can pay the difference between the total cost of tuition and fees and the amount of Tuition Assistance paid by the military.