For U.S. veterans, benefits under the G.I. Bill® may be available. Professional Golfers Career College is approved for the education of American veterans, service members, and dependents under Chapters 30, 31, 33 & 35 of the Veterans Administration. If you are interested in applying for Veterans Benefits, please contact VA Coordinator Ann Martin at 800-877-4380 or by email va@golfcollege.edu.
For additional information regarding VA benefits, including G.I. Bill® eligibility, payment information, remaining entitlement, or the address of the nearest regional office, contact the VA at 888-442-4551, or visit their website at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
CHAPTER 30: MONTGOMERY GI BILL® ACTIVE DUTY (MGIB-AD)
What Is It?
The MGIB-AD program—sometimes known as Chapter 30—provides education benefits to Veterans and Servicemembers who have at least two years of active duty. Eligible Servicemembers may receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Assistance may be used for college degree and certificate programs, technical or vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, certain entrance examinations, and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Benefits are generally payable for 10 years following your release from honorable active service.
Who Does It Benefit?
You may be an eligible if you have an honorable discharge; AND you have a high school diploma or GED or in some cases 12 hours of college credit; AND you meet the requirements of one of the categories below:
CATEGORY I:
- Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985
- Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months
- Continuously served for three years or two years, if that is what you first enlisted for or if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served four years (the 2 by 4 program)
CATEGORY II:
- Entered active duty before January 1, 1977
- Served at least one day between 10/19/84 and 6/30/85, and stayed on active duty through 6/30/88, (or through 6/30/87 if you entered the Selected Reserve within one year of leaving active duty and served four years)
- On 12/31/89, you had entitlement left from Vietnam-era GI Bill®
CATEGORY III:
- Not eligible for MGIB under Category I or II
- On active duty on 9/30/90 AND separated involuntarily after 2/2/91
- OR involuntarily separated on or after 11/30/93
- OR voluntarily separated under either the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) or Special Separation Benefit (SSB) program
- Before separation, you had military pay reduced by $1,200
CATEGORY IV:
- On active duty on 10/9/96 AND you had money remaining in a VEAP account on that date AND you elected MGIB by 10/9/97
- OR you entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between 7/1/85, and 11/28/89, AND you elected MGIB during the period 10/9/96 – 7/08/97
- Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1,200 lump-sum contribution
How Much Does It Pay?
The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, any college fund eligibility, and if you contributed to the $600 buy-up program. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation. For current rates, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and click on Payment Rates.
CHAPTER 31: THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT (VR&E) PROGRAM
What Is It?
The VR&E program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible
Who Does It Benefit?
Active Duty Service Members are eligible if they:
- Expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty
- Obtain a VA memorandum rating or Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) rating of 20% or more
- Apply for VR&E services
Veterans are eligible if they:
- Have received, or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap
- Apply for VR&E services
BASIC PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY
The law generally provides for a 12-year basic period of eligibility in which services may be used. The 12-year period begins on the latter of these dates:
- Date of separation from active military duty or
- Date the veteran was first notified of a service-connected disability rating
How Much Does It Pay?
For more information, please visit www.vetsuccess.gov. If you prefer to speak to a VR&E representative, please visit the VA Facility Locator to find your local VA regional office.
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill®
What Is It?
The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, known more succinctly as the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, was introduced to Congress in 2008 by Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) and signed into law June 30, 2008. The law, designed as a recruiting tool, took effect Aug. 1, 2009.
An updated version of the original GI Bill® enacted during World War II, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® will provide a free education for thousands of veterans who served after Sept. 10, 2001.
Who Does It Benefit?
To qualify, an individual must meet at least one of the following criteria. Not all who qualify will receive 100 percent of the benefits. The amount of time served after Sept. 10, 2001, determines the amount of eligibility.
- Active duty service members who have served more than 90 days after Sept. 10, 2001
- Retired and separated service members who have served on active duty more than 90 days after Sept. 10, 2001
- Service members and Reserve and National Guard members who have been activated for more than 90 days after Sept. 10, 2001
- Service members (active duty or Reserve) who were discharged after completing a minimum of 30 consecutive days of qualifying service after Sept. 10, 2001, and who the VA determined were discharged for a service-connected disability may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
How Much Does It Pay?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays for tuition, fees, housing allowance, books and supplies, and tutoring. The percentage of the benefits covered depends on the individual’s length of active duty service.
Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Assistance Program (DEA)
What Is It?
The Dependents’ Educational Assistance program provides up to 45 months of education and training benefits for eligible dependents of certain veterans. The benefits can be used for degree and certificate programs, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and, for spouses, correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses also may be covered under certain circumstances. Preparatory classes for college or graduate school entrance exams, as well as high school programs for those who aren’t high school graduates, are also included.
Who Does It Benefit?
To qualify, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse (including stepchild or adopted child) of:
- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability.
Children of veterans who meet the criteria above must be between the ages of 18 and 26 to receive benefits for attending school or job training, although there are exceptions. Sons and daughters who are themselves members of the Armed Forces may not receive this benefit while on active duty.
How Much Does It Pay?
Basic monthly rates increase Oct. 1 of each year with the Consumer Price Index increase. Rates may increase at other times by an act of Congress. For current rates, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and click on Payment Rates.