Veteran Service Benefit Programs

Veteran Benefit Programs

The Federal Department of Veteran Affairs administers the benefit programs listed below. If you need additional assistance, please call VA's toll-free number 1-888-442-4551 to speak with a Veterans Benefits Counselor. These counselors are there to help you with your educational questions and benefits. To inquire about your benefits, download forms and learn what is happening with VA, please visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Education Service home page. Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty Educational Assistance - Active Duty (MGIB).

The Montgomery GI Bill® program: provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. Benefits are paid monthly via direct deposit.

Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (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, Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Benefits are paid monthly via direct deposit.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP): was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. Benefits are paid monthly via direct deposit.

Post 9/11 GI Bill®: provides active duty members and reservists who have served active duty time since September 11, 2001 a comprehensive education benefit. Generally this includes tuition and fees paid to the school, as well as a books and supplies stipend and a living stipend paid via direct deposit to the student. Currently Berry College does participate in the Yellow Ribbon program. Transfer of Entitlement is a component of this program where an eligible active military member or member of a Reserve Component may transfer all or part of their Post 9/11 GI Bill® to a spouse or child. This transfer must be approved by the specific military branch. For further information on Transfer of Entitlement visit the VA’s website.

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (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 and is paid monthly via check.

Vocational Rehabilitation: visit the  Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service page for rehabilitation information.

Tuition Assistance: paid directly to the school, tuition assistance is administered by the individual branch of service or Reserve Component. See your military unit for details.

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

Tuition Payments

All VA students are responsible for tuition, fees, and books. You cannot charge school costs to VA. You must be prepared to pay out-of-pocket expenses to start school. It takes approximately 30-60 days to start receiving payments. Any financial arrangements must be made through Berry College Business Office.

Eligibility

Montgomery GI Bill®: Persons who first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, are generally eligible. Some Vietnam Era veterans and certain veterans separated under special programs are also eligible. The bill also includes a program for certain reservist and National Guard members.

Post 9/11 GI Bill®: Military members who have served at least 90 days of cumulative active duty time since September 11, 2001 or have served 30 days and been discharged due to a service connected disability are typically eligible. Percentage of the benefit ranges from 100% to 40% depending on how much active duty time was served.

Select Reserve GI Bill®: Current actively drilling reservists and National Guard members are eligible.

Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP): Current actively drilling reservists and National Guard members who have been deployed or upgraded to an active duty status via title 10 or title 32 of the US Code are eligible.

Survivors' & Dependents' Educational Assistance: Some family members of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible for educational benefits.

Time Limits: Generally, veterans have 10 years from the date they were last released from active duty to use their educational benefits, with exception of the Post 9/11 GI Bill® which is 15 years. Spouses generally have 10 years from the date they are found eligible. Children are generally eligible from age 18 until age 26.

Berry College Veteran Service Contact

Department of Veteran Affairs