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Veterans’ educational assistance is available primarily
through the following programs:
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational
Assistance (VEAP).
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB).
The following paragraphs contain basic information
on these programs.
The ESO can obtain detailed
information from the local Navy College Office, CCC,
VA office, the institution the student is going to attend, or
Navy Personnel Command, PERS- 604, at DSN
882-4258/59 or 901-874-4258/59. If you have access to
the Internet, you can examine the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs Educational Assistance Programs
home page at web site www.gibill.va.gov.
POST-VIETNAM ERA VETERANS’
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational
Assistance Program (VEAP) is a voluntary,
contributory educational financial assistance program.
It is available for personnel who entered the Navy
during the period from 1 January 1977 through 30 June
1985. Personnel who elected to take part in this program
contribute between $25 and $100 per month for a
minimum of 12 months or make lump sum payments as
desired. The member’s total contribution cannot exceed
$2,700.
Only active-duty members may make
contributions. For every dollar the member contributes,
the Navy contributes a matching two dollars. Thus, a
person’s contribution of $2,700 will provide a total
benefit of $8,100 in the education fund. The member
receives direct payment of benefits after the school
confirms the member’s enrollment in training.
Active-duty personnel may disenroll and request a
refund of unused contributions. OPNAVINST 1780.2
contains more detailed information about the
procedures for accomplishing these actions.
MONTGOMERY GI BILL ACT OF 1984
Beginning on 1 July 1985, non-prior service
members entering active duty began receiving
educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill
(MGIB). Service members eligible for the Vietnam
Era GI Bill may also be eligible to receive benefits
under the MGIB.
Members may use their in-service benefits after 2 years
of active duty. They must use all benefits within 10 years
after the date of last discharge or release from active duty.
Those who began active duty after 30 June 1985
automatically incur a monthly pay reduction of $100
per month for 12 months unless they elect not to take
part in this program. Service members must make this
one-time, irrevocable decision when they begin active
duty. Officer candidates make this decision at the time
of their commissioning.
Vietnam Era GI Bill personnel do not have to
contribute to the program to remain eligible. They
receive one-half of their Vietnam Era GI Bill
entitlement rate that was effective 31 December 1989
plus the basic MGIB rate.
This payment may not
exceed 36 months or the number of months of
remaining Vietnam Era entitlement; whichever is less.
The total entitlement used under both bills cannot
exceed 48 months.
SELECTED RESERVE AND NATIONAL
GUARD BENEFITS UNDER THE MGIB
Effective 1 July 1985, selected Reserve and
National Guard personnel became eligible for
educational benefits under the MGIB. To be eligible,
the member must meet the following requirements:
Be a high school graduate or have a GED
equivalency certificate.
Have completed 180 days of consecutive
Reserve component service before drawing
benefits (computed from the date of the oath of
enlistment).
Not have an ROTC scholarship.
Agree to enlist, extend, or reenlist for 6 years.
Students must complete a DD Form 2384, Notice
of Eligibility, to begin the process. After signing a
Form 2384, students should verify the acceptability of
proposed courses with the Veterans’ Affairs Office at
their school. The school must certify the student’s
training to the VA. The processing normally takes
about 1 month. Reservists do not have to pay any
money to participate.
Participants have up to 10 years in which to use
their benefits, but they must remain qualified members
of the Selected Reserve in good standing. The benefits
end as soon as the member separates from the Selected
Reserve or after 10 years, whichever comes first.
Q23. The Post-Vietnam Veterans’ Educational
Assistance Program is available for personnel
who entered the Navy during what time period?
Q24. Selected Reserve and National Guard personnel
became eligible for educational benefits under
the Montgomery GI Bill in what year?
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