Veteran & Dependent Information

Applying for Benefits | Licensing & Certification Reimbursement

Go to the VA's GI Bill website for official, as well as more current and in-depth,
information on the following chapters.

Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD) provides up to 36 months of education benefits on the basis of one month of active duty for one month of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree pursuit by either residence instruction or distance education. Residence instruction or training may also be taken for non-degree diploma or certificate programs, advanced flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses as well as tutorial services may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. Rare exceptions to the 10-year rule are based on an individual's circumstances. This program is also known as Chapter 30.

Benefits may include a living stipend; it does NOT pay tuition, books or housing.

Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

The MGIB-SR program may be available 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, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree pursuit by either residence instruction or distance education. Residence instruction or training may be taken for a non-college degree (NCD) diploma or certificate programs, advanced flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses as well as tutorial services may be approved under certain circumstances. This benefit generally terminates 14 years from the date of enlistment in the reserve. This program is also known as Chapter 1606.

Benefits may include a living stipend; it does NOT pay tuition, books or housing.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. Eligibility was expanded to include Title 32 Service with the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Improvements Act of 2010. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This program is also known as Chapter 33.

Primary benefits may include housing allowance, books and supplies, and tuition.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It was a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called up or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. Certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001 are eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. If a drilling reservist or guardsman is activated after September 11, 2001 for more than 90 days but less than a year, the MGIB pays 40% of the MGIB-AD benefit. If he/she is activated for one to two years, the MGIB benefit increases to 60% of the MGIB-AD benefit. If the reservist or guardsman is activated for more than two years, the benefit increases to 80% of the MGIB-AD benefit. The recipient must maintain a drilling status to collect this benefit. This program is also known as Chapter 1607.

Benefits may include a living stipend; it does NOT pay tuition, books or housing.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

Spouses and survivors of veterans detained (POW/MIA), deceased, or disabled (100% and permanent) due to service-connected cause are eligible for MGIB benefits. The schools and programs approved for the other chapters of the MGIB are approved under this provision. When eligible dependents reach the age of 18 (thereby losing dependent support) they may collect the MGIB to finish high school. Five months of high school benefits may be used that are not charged to the post-secondary eligibility. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. This benefit expires at the dependent's 26th birthday. This program is also known as Chapter 35.

Benefits may include a living stipend; it does NOT pay tuition, books or housing.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you entered active duty for the first time between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and 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 federal government. This benefit may be used for a degree by residence or correspondence training. Certificate and diploma programs, flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training may be taken by residence training only. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. This program is also known as Chapter 32.

Benefits may include a living stipend; it does NOT pay tuition, books or housing.

VA Work-Study Opportunity for Recipients of the MGIB

Veteran or eligible dependent students receiving MGIB Education benefits at three-quarters or full time rate may be eligible for a work study position (tax-free, minimum wage). Positions can be at a VA hospital or clinic, school veterans' services office, county veterans' service office, or other veterans' service activities that conduct outreach or facilitation of the MGIB. WDVA participates in this program: veterans can contact the SAA office for opportunities with WDVA. For other worksites, additional information on the Work-Study program, or an application, visit the VA Regional Processing Office Work-Study Unit website.

Benefits may include a living stipend; it does NOT pay tuition, books or housing.

GI Bill Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Applying for Benefits

The first step in applying for your education benefits is to obtain the appropriate forms for certifying eligibility. These forms can usually be obtained from the school Certifying Official or County Veterans Service Officers.

It is recommended that you contact the Certifying Official at the school you wish to attend before you apply for education benefits. In many cases, it is better to send in your application for benefits with the initial Enrollment Certification submitted by the school. This is especially true when you have already started attending classes, or if you plan to begin classes within the month following your application for benefits. The school Certifying Official will generally want to keep a copy of your application in your file for audit purposes.

Application for First Time Use of Benefits

Apply online or use VA form 22-1990 – Veterans, Active Duty Persons, and Selected Reserve

Apply online or use VA form 22-5490 – Survivors and Dependents (veteran must be deceased or have a 100% permanent service-connected disability)

Re-application for Benefits

Apply online or use VA form 22-1995 – Veterans, Active Duty Persons, and Selected Reserve

Apply online or use VA form 22-5495 – Survivors and Dependents (veteran must be deceased or 100% disabled as a result of active duty service)

Submit the completed application to the VA Regional Office in St. Louis, along with any additional items requested on the form. When you send in the application, be sure to include all supporting documents or approval will be delayed. The completed forms should be mailed to the following address if you plan to attend school in Wisconsin.

VA Regional Office
PO Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830

Reimbursement For Licensing & Certification Examinations

Veterans with education benefits entitlement may be reimbursed for licensing and certification examinations. These licensing and certification exams must be required to qualify for a license or certification to pursue a trade or profession. The fees reimbursed under this program are deducted from the GI Bill entitlement.

If you are an eligible veteran and would like to take advantage of this benefit, please submit the following items to:

VA Regional Processing Office
PO Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830

Your name and social security number
The name of the test you took and the date you took it
The name and address of the organization issuing the license or certificate (not necessarily the organization that administered the test)
The cost of the test. NOTE: Registration fees, preparation guides, processing fees, etc., will not be reimbursed under the text/examination reimbursement program
The following statement: "I authorize release of my test information to the VA."

OR – complete the Application for Licensing & Certification Approval System (LACAS), Testing Fee Reimbursement, form WDVA 2921, and send it to the address below.

If you have specific questions regarding licensing and certification examinations in Wisconsin, contact an SAA Education Consultant at the below number.

For further information regarding this benefit, please call the toll-free number at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the VA website to learn more.

State Approving Agency
201 W. Washington Ave., 4th Floor
Madison, WI 53707-7843
Telephone: (608) 261-8771
Fax: (608) 267-0403
SAA Email