VA Benefit Chapters

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides up to 36 months of education benefits to individuals who served after September 10, 2001.

Payments are issued as a percentage based on your active duty service. Learn more about how the VA determines your percentage of benefits.

Tuition & Fees

• Paid directly to the school
• Amount billed to VA is minus any tuition waiver, scholarship, or exemption you receive

Books & Supplies Stipend

• Paid to the student
• Maximum of $1,000 per academic year

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)

• Based on enrollment status and school zip code
• Paid to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month's enrollment
• Students only enrolled in online courses receive a reduced MHA rate
• Must verify attendance each month to receive payment
• Learn more about how the VA determines your MHA. 

NOTE: If you wish to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and you are also eligible for another GI Bill® benefit you will be required to make an irrevocable choice of which benefit you wish to receive.

Act 224 Exemption

Certain disabled veterans may qualify for an additional tuition and fee waiver. To qualify for the Act 224 Exemption, a student must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® at the 90% or less tier
• Be a Louisiana resident
• Be a full-time student, and
• Have a service-connected disability

Please note that the Act 224 Exemption cannot be transferred to a dependent. 

Transfer of Benefits to Dependents

Service members may request a transfer of their Post-9/11 benefits to certain family members. Once the transfer is approved, the family member must apply for the benefit with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) program is available to certain Veterans who have at least two years of active duty service. Eligibility requirements are complex and based on several factors. 

Benefit Payment

• Monthly pay rate is based on length of service, contributions, and school enrollment status.
• Recipients must verify attendance each month to receive payment.
• Payments are made directly to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month's enrollment.
• Benefits are not transferable to dependents

The Montgomery GI Bill® - Selective Reserve (MGIB-SR) program provides up to 36 months of eligibility to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes:

• Army Reserve
• Navy Reserve
• Air Force Reserve
• Marine Corps Reserve
• Coast Guard Reserve
• Army National Guard
• Air National Guard

The Reservist must be actively drilling and have a 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserve.

Benefit Payment

• Monthly pay rate based on enrollment
• Must verify attendance each month to receive payment
• Paid to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month of enrollment
• Must be actively drilling to receive payment 
• Benefits are not transferable to dependents 

The Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) Program assists eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. This includes benefits for post-secondary education.

Veterans must first apply for services and receive an appointment with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). Contact your local VA office to obtain detailed information or call 1-800-827-1000.

Benefit Payments

• Monthly pay rate paid to student based on enrollment
• Tuition and fees paid to the school
• All required books and a stipend for supplies

Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) provides up to 45 months of educational benefits to sons, daughters, and spouses of certain veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

Benefit Payment

• Monthly pay rate based on enrollment
• Paid to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month of enrollment

Some dependents may also be eligible for the Louisiana State Tuition Exemption.

If you receive VA education benefits you may be also eligible for reimbursement of additional educational expenses such as:

• Tutoring

• National Test Fees

• Licensing and Certification Test Fees