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Benefits Chapters

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers various education benefit programs for Veterans and Active Duty personnel. You may qualify for more than one program. To find the best fit, review the VA Benefit Chapters below and visit the VA website to compare benefits.

Montgomery GI Bill ® Active Duty (Chapter 30)

  • Provides education benefits to Veterans and Service members who have served at least two years of active duty.
  • Offers up to 36 months of financial assistance for education and training programs.
    Benefits can be used for college degrees, technical training, certifications, and more.
  • Eligible participants have 10 years from the date of last discharge to use benefits.
  • Benefit Payments:
    • Monthly payments are based on length of service, contributions, and school enrollment status.
    • Recipients must verify attendance each month to receive payment.
    • Payments are made directly to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month's enrollment.
    • Benefits are not transferable to dependents.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31)

  • Provides education and training benefits for Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
  • Aims to help Veterans achieve employment, independent living, or vocational goals.
  • Covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other related expenses.
  • Offers personalized career counseling and job placement services.
  • Benefits can be used for college, technical training, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training.
  • Benefit Payments:
    • Monthly payments paid to student based on enrollment.
    • Tuition and fees paid to the school.
    • All required books and a stipend for supplies.

Post-9/11 GI Bill ® (Chapter 33)

  • Provides education benefits for Veterans and service members who served after September 10, 2001.
  • Covers up to 36 months of education benefits, including tuition, housing allowance, and books.
  • Benefits can be used for college degrees, vocational training, certifications, and more.
  • May transfer unused benefits to eligible dependents (spouse or children).
  • Payments are made directly to the school or individual, depending on the type of benefit.
  • Benefit Payments:
    • Payments are issued as a percentage based on active duty service.
    • Tuition and fees paid to the school. Amount billed to VA is minus any tuition waiver, scholarship, or exemption received.
    • Books & Supplies Stipend paid to student. $1,000 max per academic year.
    • Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
      • Based on enrollment status and school zip code.
      • Paid to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month's enrollment.
      • Students only enrolled in online courses receive a reduced MHA rate.
      • Must verify attendance each month to receive payment.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

  • Provides education benefits to eligible dependents (spouses and children) of Veterans who are permanently disabled, deceased, or missing in action due to service-related causes.
  • Offers up to 36-45 months of financial assistance for education and training.
    Benefits can be used for degree programs, technical training, apprenticeships, and certification courses.
  • Eligible dependents generally have 10 years from the Veteran's qualifying event to use benefits.
  • Benefit Payment:
    • Monthly payments are made directly to the individual based on enrollment status.
    • Paid to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month of enrollment

Montgomery GI Bill ® Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

  • These benefits can help you cover the costs of degree programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, and more.
  • Provides up to 36 months of eligibility to members of the Selected Reserve.
    • Army Reserve
    • Navy Reserve
    • Air Force Reserve
    • Marine Corps Reserve
    • Coast Guard Reserve
    • Army National Guard
    • Air National Guard

*The Reservist must be actively drilling and have a 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserve.

  • These benefits can help you cover the costs of degree programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, and more.
  • Eligibility typically lasts for 14 years, and some reservists may qualify for additional funds through the Kicker Program. 
  • Benefit Payment:
    • Monthly payments are based on enrollment.
    • Must verify attendance each month to receive payment.
    • Paid to the student at the beginning of each month for the previous month of enrollment.
    • Must be actively drilling to receive payment.
    • Benefits are not transferable to dependents.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607)

  • Designed for members of the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve who served on active duty in response to a war or national emergency.
  • These benefits can help you cover the costs of various educational paths, including degree programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
  • Provides up to 36 months of educational assistance, with the exact duration depending on active duty service length.
  • Monthly payment Rates are based on the length of active duty service, with higher rates for longer service periods.
  • Can be used in conjunction with other VA benefits, subject to eligibility criteria.

*Chapter 1607 was sunsetted in November 2015, meaning benefits are no longer available for new participants but may still be relevant for those who were eligible before the cutoff.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) 


Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit available to eligible members of the Armed Services. Each branch has its own criteria for eligibility, service commitments, application process, and restrictions. To determine which VA or Military benefits you qualify for, it is recommended that you consult your Educational Services Officer (ESO) or military service counselor.

If you are interested in using Tuition Assistance, please visit the appropriate website below to get started:

National Guard Exemption

Louisiana National Guard members are eligible for the State Tuition Exemption Program(STEP) at in-state, public colleges and universities based on the requirements listed below.

  • Be an actively drilling member of the Louisiana National Guard
  • Live in the state of Louisiana
  • Must be in good standing with the Louisiana National Guard
  • Must be seeking an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
  • Must maintain good academic standing with school
  • Must pay all additional fees applied to bill (LA STEP only covers tuition, not the fees)

To find out more information on this program, please contact:
Mr. Leonard Acker
leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil

LA State Dependent Exemption (Title 29)

Louisiana offers education assistance to surviving spouses of deceased veterans as well as children of veterans rated with 90% or more service-connected disability and children of veterans rated with 100% service-connected disability due to unemployability.

Eligibility for Title 29 state educational benefits requires that veterans meet residency requirements under La. R.S. 29:288.

Find your nearest LDVA location to apply.

Students receiving Veteran education benefits may be eligible for reimbursement of additional educational expenses:

Useful Telephone Numbers

1-888-442-4551 (Chapters 30, 35, 1606)
1-877-823-2378 (Chapter 30 verification only)
1-800-827-1000 (general questions)
1-318-362-5137 (Local VA Office)

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.