VA Chapter Summaries

Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - AD - Active Duty)

Eligibility requirements under the Montgomery GI Bill® are complex. Except for a few other categories, essentially, those who entered the service as active duty personnel after June 30, 1985 and enrolled in the MGIB program may be eligible for benefits upon honorable discharge after serving their enlistment. The VA website may be consulted for categories and exceptions.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about educational benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Chapter 31 (Disabled veterans entitled to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits)

This program was begun to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities to become trained and employed. The student's local Veterans Administration Office can offer assistance in determining eligibility. The Abilene, Texas (79602) VR&E office is located at 1150 Estates Dr., Suite B (https://maps.google.com/?q=1150+Estates+Dr.,+Suite+B&entry=gmail&source=g) , - Phone: 325-677-1503. The local Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are John Kraft, James Orange and Melvin Rand. Eligibility for educational benefits at ACU is determined by a Comprehensive Evaluation by the local VR&E office. ACU assistance with a required degree plan may be requested as a part of the veteran's needs assessment and rehabilitation plan.

Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®)

Chapter 35 (Survivors and Dependents Education)

Chapter 35 of title 38 of the U.S. Code provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and survivors of certain categories or deceased veterans. Eligibility under the DEA - Dependents Educational Assistance program - is determined by filing a claim for benefits with the VA. ACU personnel will assist those who are qualified. As with other education forms, the VA application Form 22-5490 is available by clicking "Education Benefits" at www.gibill.va.gov.

Chapter 1606 (Selected Reservists, National Guard)

The Montgomery GI Bill® - SR (Selected Reserve) also provides education benefits for certain categories of reservists under Chapter 106 of title 10, U.S. Code. There may be conditions under which reservists may qualify for other benefits. Contacting the VA by phone at 1-888-442-4551 or by consulting the website (www.gibill.va.gov) for answers or a pamphlet is the best way to determine what those conditions may be. A signed NOBEForm DD - 2384-1 - Notice of Basic Elgibility - from a local reserve unit, will be required before ACU may file a claim for benefits.

Chapter 1607 (REAP - Reserve Educational Assistance Program)

This is a new VA program for certain reservists called to recent action on or after September 11, 2001. There is information on eligibility available on the VA website www.gibill.va.gov. Those eligible follow regular ACU procedures in setting up a VA claims file at ACU and may need to have copies of orders to send with the first claim. Either a Form 1999 or 1990 may be required for designation purposes of 1607 eligibility as well as the ACU Veterans Information Sheet (VIS).