By Brittani Kosan

Student veterans and veteran dependents sometimes have a hard time understanding what resources are available to help them complete their degrees.

The following is a list of programs offered to military veterans and their dependents by the Federal Government;

·       Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty

An individual is eligible for Chapter 30 educational benefits if they began active duty

service for the first time after June 30, 1985, had their pay reduced $100 a month for 12 months, and received an honorable discharge. Eligible individuals are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance and are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs. Eligibility generally expires 10 years from the date of the last discharge or release from active duty. An individual is not eligible for benefits under Chapter 30 if they received a General Discharge under Honorable Conditions or any other discharge other than Honorable.

·       Chapter 31 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Active Duty Service members are eligible if they expect to receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge upon separation from active duty. Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services. Or are participating in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or are certified by the military as having a severe injury or illness that may prevent them from performing their military duties. Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services, and report for an evaluation with a Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

counselor before separation.

Veterans are eligible if they have received a discharge that is other than dishonorable. Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA  and apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services

Basic period of eligibility from active duty ends 12 years from the date of notification of one of the following: date of separation from active military service, or date the Veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating.

·       Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill

Generally, an individual is eligible for Chapter 33 educational benefits if they served a minimum of 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001. Eligible individuals are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance and are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs. Eligibility generally expires 15 years from the date of the last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.

·       Chapter 35 - Dependents’ Educational Assistance

An individual is eligible for Chapter 35 educational benefits if they are a surviving spouse or dependent child of a Veteran who is deceased or permanently and totally disabled as the result of service in the military. Eligible students may be entitled to receive up to 45 months of Chapter 35 benefits and are limited to a maximum of 48 months of entitlement when using benefits under two or more programs.

·       Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve

An individual is eligible for Chapter 1606 educational benefits if they have entered into a 6 year obligation to serve in a Selected Reserve unit, completed Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT), and have completed high school. Units included in Chapter 1606 are Selected Reserve of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Your Reserve or Guard component will decide eligibility and notify the Department of Defense of eligibility.

If you are eligible for enrollment in any of the listed programs, you can contact the Veterans Support Service coordinator, Jon Clark. You can contact Mr. Clark by email Jon.Clark@glenville.edu, by phone 304-462-6155, or by going to his office. It is located on the third floor of the Kidd Library, number 312. His office hours are Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.