Veterans Affairs Chapters

The Post 9/11 GI Bill applies to individuals who have served in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001. These educational benefits can also be transferred to an individual's spouse and/or dependents.

Chapter 33 Eligibility

All benefits in the bill are contingent on service in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001, and an honorable discharge or a discharge due to a medical condition that did not result from an individual's own willful misconduct. The bill creates eight separate categories of veterans for purposes of awarding these benefits, defined according to the length of time served on active duty (generally aggregated and including training):

Certain periods do not count, such as active duty as an officer pursuant to certain agreements or as a result of defective enlistment and induction.

Chapter 33 Benefits

There are three kinds of educational benefits: tuition benefits, housing stipends and an allowance for books. Benefits are paid at a percentage, based on the amount of time a veteran has served on active duty other than training.

Recipients may not receive an amount for tuition and fees that exceed the maximum in-state amount of established charges at the most expensive public school in that state. That amount is further reduced for part-time study (i.e., half-time or less) if the actual charges are less than the educational benefit would otherwise be. The maximum allowance for books, supplies, equipment, and other educational costs is $1,000 per academic year, paid proportionately by term.

Full-Time: 12+ Credit Hours*
*Payment is based on the rate of pursuit, online/on-campus courses and the percentage of active duty time other than training.

The maximum basic allowance for housing (BAH) stipend equals the amount of basic housing for military personnel in military housing adjusted by ZIP code. Individuals with a skill or specialty that is in critically short supply as designated by the Secretary of Defense may have their monthly stipend increased.

• BAH is lower if a student is taking all online* classes.
  *Students enrolled in online courses that meet at a physical location one or more times per semester, should have their instructor email our office so we can certify your enrollment as being on-campus.
• BAH is only paid to students above half-time status. 
  The bill also provides $100 per month for up to 12 months for students who require tutoring, as long as the instructor leading the course certifies that the tutoring is essential to correct a deficiency in a specific course and the course is required to complete an approved program.

A student cannot receive assistance concurrently under both the post-9/11 benefits and another VA educational benefit program, although the student can elect which program will pay.

Current Rates

Active Duty

Students who are on active military duty may still receive education benefits up to the amount that doesn't exceed the maximum in-state amount of established charges at the most expensive public school in that state. However, housing allowances are not payable, and so the individual who is still serving on active duty might elect not to exhaust part of his or her monthly entitlement under the Post-9/11 benefits if a different benefit program is more advantageous.

Apply for Chapter 33 Benefits

Fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits; Form 22-1990 to receive your award letter (COE)

The application form requires that individuals currently eligible for benefits under the Montgomery GI BILL-Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Submit your COE, DD-214 discharge papers and student ID number to UND's Veteran and Military Services.

To change your school to UND or transfer to a new school; students must complete a Request for Change of Progress or Place of Training; Form 22-1995 and submit it to the VA.

Payment/Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is available for Chapter 33 recipients. To receive your check through direct deposit, call the St. Louis office at 1.888.442.4551 with your routing number and account number for the account you want your check deposited into.

Flight Training

The Chapter 33 Tuition and Fees benefit includes the cost of flight training at UND. Flight courses must be in accordance with degree requirements and follow the prescribed flight curriculum, flight hours, time frame, and approximate cost, as stated in the applicable course syllabus, Training Course Outline (TCO) or the current Projected Individual Flight Training Cost.

If you are interested in using your Chapter 33 benefits for flight training, please contact UND's Veteran and Military Services.

Matching Grants-Yellow Ribbon Program

The bill also creates a Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program that allows colleges and universities to voluntarily cover a portion of tuition and fees not otherwise covered by the bill.

The University of North Dakota is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program which covers the cost of tuition above the in-state/resident rate to Chapter 33 service members. This program is only pertinent to students that were charged the non-resident tuition rate. When using the Yellow Ribbon Program, students that are charged out-of-state tuition will have the in-state tuition and fees covered by the VA. Any amount above the in-state rate will be covered by a matching grant through the institution and Yellow Ribbon. 50% of charges above the in-state rate are covered by the institution, the remaining charges are covered by Yellow Ribbon. This program does not cover any flight costs, as they are additional charges for Aerospace degrees.

Transfer of Benefits

Eligible individuals may transfer a portion of their education benefits to their spouse, children (until the age of 26), or a combination of both. Transferring benefits is only available to active members of the Armed Forces who have completed at least six years of service in the armed forces and agree to serve at least four more years. The Secretary may limit the months of entitlement that may be transferred under this section to no less than 18 months.

Spouse or Child: To apply for Chapter 33 benefits that have been transferred to you, you need to fill out:

Application for VA Educational Benefits; Form 22-1990e

Members of the Selected Reserve, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, the Army National Guard, and the Air Guard are eligible for MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606). The Reserve and Guard components decide who is eligible for the program. VA makes the payments for training.

Chapter 1606 Eligibility

To be eligible you must meet the following conditions:

• A 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserves.
• Complete Initial Active Duty for Training.
• Received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before applying for benefits.
• Remain in good standing in a Selected Reserve Unit.

Chapter 1606 Benefits

Chapter 1606 students are eligible for benefits for 36 school months based on number of credits enrolled in school (numbers are based on an academic school year).

Educational assistance is paid to the student monthly by the VA. Students are responsible for submitting payment to the school for any incurred charges.

Students may be reimbursed by their state unit upon successful completion of their courses.

Current Rates

Payment/Direct Deposit

Payment will not be sent until a student verifies their enrollment at the end of each month; the number to verify enrollment is 1-877-823-2378.  Your file number is your SSN.

To receive your check through direct deposit, call the St. Louis office at 1-888-442-4551 with your routing number and account number.

Flight Training

No flight fees are paid under Chapter 1606.

Apply for Chapter 1606 Benefits

• Fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits; Form 22-1990 to receive your award letter/Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• Submit a copy of your Kicker contract to the VA.
• Also needed is a copy of your DD-2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility (COE) papers submitted to UND's Veteran and Military Services.

To change your school to UND or transfer to a new school; students must complete a Request for Change of Progress or Place of Training; Form 22-1995 and submit it to the VA.

National Guard/Reserves Tuition Assistance

The deadline to apply for Tuition Assistance (TA) is the day before school starts each semester. Students must apply each semester with their unit in order to use TA . If receiving TA, please contact Heidi Smart for further information on that program; she can be reached at heidi.smart@UND.edu.

• ARMY Guard/Reserve, apply online at U.S. Army.
• ND National Guard, apply at NDguard.nd.gov.

In-State Tuition Rate

The deadline to apply is 30 days after the start of the semester. (Out-of-State Guard/Reserve are not eligible.) Complete the instructions found under Military Tuition Info.

To be eligible you must also meet the following conditions:

• You served on or after September 16, 1940, AND
• Your service-connected disabilities (SCD) are rated at least 20% disabling by VA, AND
• You need VR&E to overcome an employment handicap, AND
• It has been less than 12 years since VA notified you of your qualified SCD.

Usually, you must first be awarded a monthly VA disability compensation payment. In some cases, you may be eligible if you aren't getting VA compensation. For example, if you are awaiting discharge from the service because of a disability you may be eligible for veteran readiness & employment.

Chapter 31 Benefits

The VA may pay the cost of tuition, fees, books, equipment, and supplies. You will also receive a monthly subsistence allowance. This benefit may be provided for up to 48 months and you generally have 12 years from the date you are notified of the entitlement to use the benefits.

Apply for Chapter 31 Benefits

To apply for VR&E, you will need to create a VONAPP account or login using your existing account and have your VA Counselor fill out Veteran Readiness and Employment Service; Form 28-1900.

The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans and dependents in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits. Read below to find out if you’re eligible for up to 9 months (or $30,000) of added benefits and how to apply.

STEM Scholarship Eligibility

If you’re currently enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree program, all of these must be true. You:

• Are enrolled in an eligible undergraduate STEM degree program that requires at least 120 standard semester credit hours (or 180 quarter credit hours) to complete, and
• Have completed at least 60 standard credit hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) toward your degree, and
• Have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits.

If you're working toward a teaching certification, all of these must be true. You:

• Have earned an eligible post-secondary degree in a STEM field, and
• Have been accepted or are enrolled in a teaching certification program, and
• Have 6 months or less of your Post-9/11 GI Bill (or Fry Scholarship) benefits left. To find out how much of your benefits you have left, check your Post-9/11 GI Bill Statement of Benefits.

STEM Scholarship Benefits

Recipients can get additional benefits of up to 9 months (or $30,000, whichever comes first).  STEM scholarships cannot be transferred but dependents can apply for this extension of their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits if they are already utilizing one of those VA programs.

Payment/Direct Deposit

Payment will not be sent until a student verifies their enrollment at the end of each month; the number to verify enrollment is 1-877-823-2378.  Your file number is your SSN.

Apply for the STEM Scholarship

Fill out the application for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship; Form 22-10203 to apply.

If approved, submit a copy of your award letter and your student ID number to UND's Veteran and Military Services.

You may be eligible for education benefits through this program if you entered active duty prior to September 10, 2001.  Visit the MGIB-AD page to view the program requirements.

Chapter 30 Eligibility

Must have completed 2 or 4 year contract (or more) with any branch of the military services. Payable after 2 years of continuous active duty.

Chapter 30 Benefits

Chapter 30 students are eligible for benefits for 36 months based on number of credits enrolled in school (numbers are based on an academic school year). May extend to the end of the term if the benefits expire during the term. Note: If there is a kicker, the kicker does not extend.

Educational assistance is paid to the student in order to cover any housing, books, supplies, tuition and other educational expenses. This benefit is paid via a monthly allowance. Students are responsible for submitting payment to the school for any incurred charges.

Payment/Direct Deposit

Payment will not be sent until a student verifies their enrollment at the end of each month; the number to verify enrollment is 1-877-823-2378.  Your file number is your SSN.

To receive your check through direct deposit, call the St. Louis office at 1-888-442-4551 with your routing number and account number.

Flight Training

No flight fees are paid under Chapter 30.

Apply for Chapter 30 Benefits

• Fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits; Form 22-1990 to receive your award letter (COE)
• Submit copy of your Veteran's DD-214 discharge papers and student ID number to UND's Veteran & Military Services.
• Submit your Kicker paperwork (if applicable) to the Va.

To change your school to UND or transfer to a new school; students must complete a Request for Change of Progress or Place of Training; Form 22-1995 and submit it to the VA.

If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program

Chapter 35 Eligibility

Chapter 35 students are eligible for a monthly allowance paid directly to the student. Tuition and fees are not paid under this chapter. To qualify, you must be the child or spouse 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 service member missing in action or captured in 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. This change is effective December 23, 2006.

Period of Eligibility

If you're a child of an eligible veteran and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit.

If you're in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while on active duty. To pursue training after military service, your discharge must not be under dishonorable conditions. VA can extend your period of eligibility by the number of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. This extension cannot generally go beyond your 31st birthday; there are some exceptions.

If you're a spouse of an eligible veteran, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran.

For surviving spouses (spouses of service members who died on active duty) benefits end 20 years from the date of death.

Apply for Chapter 35 Benefits

• Fill out an Application for Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance; Form 22-5490 to receive your award letter (COE)
• Submit the following to UND's Veteran & Military Services.
  • A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
  • The Veteran's SSN
  • Student ID number

Current Rates

To change your school to UND or transfer to a new school; students must complete a Request for Change of Progress or Place of Training; Form 22-5495 and submit it to the VA.

Students that are eligible for healthcare, must complete the CHAMPVA School Enrollment Certification Letter and have it faxed in by UND Veteran & Military Services.

NDCC (North Dakota Century Code)

Any dependent, upon being duly accepted into any North Dakota state institution of higher education, must be allowed to obtain a bachelor's degree or certificate of completion, so long as the dependent is eligible. The waiver applies to mandatory tuition and fees, not program or course fees.

To apply for the NDCC waiver (Sections 15-10-18.2 through 15-10-18.3), students must submit the following documentation to UND's Veteran & Military Services.

• Student's ID number
• Copy of child's birth certificate
• Copy of letter from the VA verifying veteran is rated at 100% disability
• Veteran's DD-214 to verify home of record, at time of service entry, is North Dakota
  
  OR: If Veteran is not from ND, then a document from ND State Motor Vehicle Department to verify the veteran has a ND Driver's license for the past 5 years, ND Driver's license or a letter from the County Veterans office to verify 5 year ND residency
  
  OR: State income tax form for past 5 years can also be used in lieu of a Driver's license to verify a ND resident for 5 years.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

VA will begin accepting applications for individuals applying for benefits under the Fry Scholarship provision effective May 1, 2010.

President Barack Obama signed the 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill (H.R. 2346 - Public Law No: 111-32) into law, which funds U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and includes a provision to expand GI Bill benefits to children of fallen U.S. soldiers.

The new benefit will be known as the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship in honor of a fallen soldier with three young children.

Normally, service members have to serve 6 years with an additional 4-year commitment in order to earn the right to transfer their benefits among their dependents.

The new law amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill so children of those who have died on active duty since 9/11 qualify for the education benefit; eliminates the requirement that the deceased parent must have completed a minimum of military service in order for their benefits to be transferred to their children; and eliminates the cap on transferred benefits, which is currently 36 months of benefits in total for all surviving children.

The new Fry scholarship is slightly different than the normal family transfer option under the Post-9/11 GI Bill in that the scholarship will qualify dependents for their own full 36 months of benefits.

All children of fallen soldiers would qualify for the maximum benefit:

• Tuition and fees of up to the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public institution;
• A monthly housing allowance at the location of the school, based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents; and
• An annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows more than one person to receive transferred benefits, but no more than 36 total months can be transferred.

Chapter 32 Eligibility

The Post-Vietnam Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) is an educational benefit for veterans who paid into VEAP while they were in the service.

You may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:

• You were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• You first entered active duty after December 31, 1976, and July 1, 1985.
• You contributed to VEAP before April 1, 1987.
• You served long enough to qualify.

Chapter 32 Benefits

Eligible veterans may be entitled to as much as 36 months of training. Eligibility usually ends 10 years after getting out of the service, but the time limit can be longer in some cases. Eligible veterans may pursue any of the following types of training:

• College or University Programs
• Business, Technical or Vocational Training
• Apprenticeships/On-the-Job Training
• Correspondence Courses
• Flight Training
• High School Diploma or equivalent

Apply for Chapter 32 Benefits

Fill out an Application for VA Educational Benefits; Form 22-1990 to receive your award letter (COE).