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Education and Training

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The government matches your contributions on a 2-for-1 basis.

Types of Training

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. In certain circumstances, remedial, deficiency, and refresher training may also be available. Get the VEAP pamphlet.

You may use these benefits for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs, and vocational flight training programs.

Available Benefits and Eligibility

Benefit entitlement is for one to 36 months depending on the number of monthly contributions. You have 10 years from your release from active duty to use VEAP benefits. If the entitlement is not used after the 10-year period, your portion remaining in the fund will be automatically refunded.

Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements to qualify:

  • Entered service for the first time between Jan. 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985
  • Opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987
  • Voluntarily contributed from $25 to $2,700;
  • Completed your first period of service and were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • If you are currently on active duty and wish to receive VEAP benefits, you must have at least three months of contributions available.

Other Factors to Consider

Contributions may be withdrawn if you do not meet the basic eligibility requirements or if you formally request a refund of the contributions withheld.

Apply

To apply, take these steps depending on your situation:

  • Make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. VA can inform you and the school or company about the requirements.
  • Obtain and complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. Send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over the state where you will pursue education and training. If you are not on active duty, send copy 4 (Member Copy) of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty.
  • If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment approved by your base Education Services Officer, and you must have your service verified by your Commanding Officer.
  • If you have started training, take your application and Member Copy of DD Form 214 to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send all the forms to VA.
  • If you wish to withdraw your contributions from VEAP, obtain and complete VA Form 22-5281, Application for Refund of Educational Contributions, and send it to your nearest VA regional office.

Educational Assistance Pilot Program

The Educational Assistance Pilot Program, created by the Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1981 (Public Law 96-342), allows for the payment of monthly education benefits to encourage enlistment and reenlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces. Benefits may be available to individuals who entered on active duty after Sept. 30, 1980, and before Oct. 1, 1981 (or before Oct. 1, 1982, if entry was under a delayed enlistment contract signed between Sept. 30, 1980, and Oct. 1, 1981). (Note:
Although this law established a start date for the test program as Oct. 1, 1980, the military service departments did not start offering the test program to new enlistees until Dec. 1, 1980.)

Air Force Eligibility Requirements

Servicemembers must meet all three of the following criteria to be eligible for this benefit :

  • Must have enlisted between Dec. 1, 1980, and Sept. 30, 1981
  • Enlistment was in one of the following Air Force Specialties: 20723, 20731, 20830, 46130, 46230A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, or Z, 46430, 81130
  • Enlistment must have taken place at one of the following locations: Beckley, W.V.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Dallas ; Fargo, N.D.; Houston ; Jackson, Miss. ; Louisville, K y.; Memphis, T enn.; Omaha, Neb .; Philadelphia ; Seattle ; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Syracuse, N.Y.
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