Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance

To provide educational assistance to persons entering the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985; to assist persons in obtaining an education they might otherwise not be able to afford; and to promote and assist the all-volunte

To provide educational assistance to persons entering the Armed Forces after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985; to assist persons in obtaining an education they might otherwise not be able to afford; and to promote and assist the all-volunteer military program of the United States by attracting qualified persons to serve in the Armed Forces.

The participant must have entered on active duty on or after January 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1985, and either served on active duty for more than 180 continuous days receiving an other than dishonorable discharge, or have been discharged after January 1, 1977 because of a service-connected disability. Also eligible are participants who serve for more than 180 days and who continue on active duty and have completed their first period of obligated service (or 6 years of active duty, whichever comes first). Participants must also have satisfactorily contributed to the program. (Satisfactory contribution consists of monthly deduction of $25 to $100 from military pay, up to a maximum of $2,700, for deposit in a special training fund.) Participants may make lump-sum contributions. No individuals on active duty in the Armed Forces may initially begin contributing to this program after March 31, 1987.

Post-Vietnam era veterans.

Participants may pursue: (1) courses at colleges and universities leading to associate, bachelor or graduate degrees (including courses taken via accredited independent study, provided those courses lead to a standard college degree or a certificate that reflects educational attainment offered by an institution of higher learning); (2) courses leading to a certificate or diploma from colleges or universities or from business, technical or vocational schools; (3) apprenticeship or on-the-job training programs for individuals not on active duty; (4) correspondence courses, under certain conditions; (5) flight training, if the individual holds a private pilot license and meets the medical requirements upon beginning the training program; (6) state-approved teacher certification programs; (7) preparatory courses for tests necessary for admission to a college or graduate school; (8) reimbursement for licensing and certification tests approved for veterans; (9) entrepreneurship training; (10) reimbursement for national exams for admission to college or for college credit.

Benefits generally expire 10 years from release of active duty. If the benefits have not been completely used after the 10 years, the remaining contributions are automatically refunded to the Veteran.

Available within ten years of first date of discharge or release from service or until the amount of money in the special fund, converted to months of entitlement (to a maximum of 36) is exhausted. Assistance checks generally to be released on a monthly basis.

Awards are authorized at the designated VA Regional Processing Office.

For FY 22, VA took an average of 15 days to process an initial application for benefits.

In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits.