The VA Education Service Center in St. Louis, MO administers the following benefit programs for veterans and their dependents. Below is a summary of benefits.
Contact Information
If you need additional assistance, please call our toll-free number 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor.
Education Forms
Education forms are available at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm
Visit this area to see what's there or contact our toll-free number
1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to request Education forms.
Licensing and Certification Tests
You can receive reimbursement for licensing and certification tests you take on or after March 1, 2001. These tests must be specifically approved for the G.I. Bill. VA can pay only for the cost of the tests and not other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification.
Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB)
The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30. Check the federal VA webpage for current rates of payment.
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Restrictions
VA cannot pay educational assistance or special training allowances to persons on active duty with the Armed Forces or the Public Health Service whose education or training costs are being paid by the Federal Government. This bar also applies to persons receiving education or training under the Government Employees' Training Act and being paid their full salary during that period.
Summary of Benefits Under the Educational Assistance Test Program Section 901 of Public Law 96-342
Section 901 is an Educational Assistance Test Program created by the Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1981 (Public Law 96-342) to encourage enlistment and reenlistment in the Armed Forces. Benefits are available to individuals who entered on active duty after September 30, 1980, and before October 1, 1981 (or before October 1, 1982, if entry was under a delayed enlistment contract signed between September 30, 1980, and October 1, 1981).
NOTE: Although Public Law 96-342 established a beginning date for the test program as October 1, 1980, the military service departments did not start offering the test program to new enlistees until December 1, 1980.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of 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.. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Tutorial Assistance Program
Tutorial assistance is available if you are receiving VA educational assistance at the half-time or more rate and have a deficiency in a subject making tutoring necessary. If you have questions on this program please contact our toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.
Tuition Assistance "Top-Up"
On October 30, 2000, the President signed into law an amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty education program that permits VA to pay a Tuition Assistance Top- up benefit. The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program for Veterans with Individual Unemployability Ratings
Even though VA has awarded you total disability compensation for your service-connected condition because you are currently unemployable, you may still qualify for the training and services in the vocational rehabilitation program. From February 1, 1985, through January 31, 1992, moreover, you may receive two special considerations: You may receive employment services even if you are not eligible for any other assistance under the VA vocational rehabilitation program. In addition, if you obtain a job during the 7-year period, your total disability rating due to individual unemployability will be protected for 12 consecutive months of employment.
This program, originally a 4-year pilot program, was extended for 3 years to January 31, 1992, and is now entirely voluntary. If you are granted a total service-connected disability rating any time prior to February 1, 1992, you may request an evaluation from VA to determine if your ability to work can be restored. If VA determines that vocational rehabilitation services could restore your capability to work, you may take part in a rehabilitation program, but you are not required to do so.
Vocational Training for Pension Recipients
If you have been awarded pension during the period from February 1, 1985, through January 31, 1992, you may be eligible for up to 24 months or more of vocational training to prepare for employment. You may also receive up to 18 months of employment services to help you search for, secure and maintain suitable employment. These employment services may be provided as a total program or in addition to job training. Unlike the vocational rehabilitation program for service-disabled veterans, subsistence allowance and no-interest loans are not available. If your pension award is authorized during this 7-year period and you are under age 45, you are required to participate in an evaluation to determine if employment is a realistic objective for you. You are not, however, required to participate in a program of training or employment assistance.
If your pension was awarded prior to February 1, 1985, you may now participate in the program on a voluntary basis if VA finds that a program of vocational training or employment service will enable you to become employed.
Work Study Program
This program is available to any student receiving VA education benefits who is attending school three-quarter time or more. An individual working under this program may work at the school veterans' office, VA Regional Office, VA Medical Facilities, or at approved State employment offices. Work-study students are paid at either the state or Federal minimum wage, which ever is greater. If you have questions on this program contact our toll-free number 1-888-442-4551.