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Hello,
Our records show you received a GI Bill® Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the last month or so. We’re excited for you to start your GI Bill journey! We know some students can find their GI Bill benefits confusing, so we’ve compiled some key links, resources, and recommendations to help you get started. Read whatever interests you now, but we recommend you also save this email for future reference.
What should I know about my Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
Here are a few things to know:
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This page explains every section of your COE.
- You will provide your COE to your educational institution or on-the-job training/apprenticeship program as proof of your GI Bill benefit eligibility. They will then certify your enrollment to VA so you can begin receiving benefits.
- If you need another copy of your COE for any reason, Veterans can visit our website to view an online version or call the Education Call Center (ECC) at 888-442-4551 to request a new COE be mailed to you. If your benefits were transferred to you, you must call the ECC to get a new COE.
Where should I start?
If you are looking for a good starting point to learn more about the benefits and programs we offer, review our “Building Your Future with the GI Bill®” guides. Part 1 is a great resource if you are not entirely sure what education pathway is best for you. We provide an overview of your educational options, such as a college degree, pivoting to a career in technology, trades, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, pursuing entrepreneurship, and other paths.
Part 2 lays out a comparison of education benefits to help you determine the appropriate VA benefit based on your eligibility and goals. With a side-by-side program comparison, this guide will help you make decisions such as which program may be best for you. Many Veterans and GI Bill beneficiaries say that one of their biggest worries is not having a good plan for their future and ending up without a good job. These guides can help you avoid that.
How can I pick a school or training program?
Be advised that the school needs to be approved for the GI Bill, but the individual program you’re enrolled in also needs to be approved. You can check that on the VA website. The GI Bill Comparison Tool allows you to see information about each school’s cost, value, and affordability after answering just a few questions, and then to get an estimate of the GI Bill benefits you’d receive there. It also includes information about what Veteran programs the school supports, contact information for School Certifying Officials, and the topics of any student complaints from the past 24 months.
The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard helps prospective students find the school that fits their goals and aspirations. Make your own college wish list and compare your options with Scorecard’s comprehensive data on graduation rates, the number of students who return after their first year, and typical annual earnings of former students after graduation by field of study.
What if I’m interested in entrepreneurship, on-the-job training, or an apprenticeship?
The GI Bill can help you pay for books, supplies, and housing while you are learning a trade or skill through on-the-job training or an apprenticeship. Be aware that housing benefits are paid differently for on-the-job-training and apprenticeships than for colleges. Additionally, VA offers entrepreneurship training through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
What if I’m interested in technology?
Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) is a pilot program that helps Veterans improve their IT skills through courses offered by industry-leading training providers. This program is designed to prepare Veterans with the technical background and career preparation necessary for success in the high-tech industry.
What if I need guidance on the right educational or training path for me?
You may be eligible for Personalized Career Planning and Guidance, counseling to help you decide which civilian or military jobs you're interested in, find the right training or field of study, and address barriers to your success. You can use this benefit more than once.
In addition to counseling, you may be able to use CareerScope, an online assessment tool that measures your interests and skill levels and recommends careers you may enjoy and jobs in which you’re likely to do well. The tool also recommends courses or training programs that can help you go after those careers.
What if I’m eligible for more than one education benefit?
You may only receive payments from one program at a time. If you are eligible for more than one benefit program, you must notify us in writing which program you intend to use before enrolling in training. Under current law, you must make an irrevocable election in writing before receiving any Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which means you cannot change back to the other program after you receive any Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Can the amount of benefits I receive change?
The amount of qualifying military service you completed will affect your percentage of benefits, so your benefits may range from 50 to 100 percent. Your award letter will show your percentage of benefits. For on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs, your percentage of benefits will decline over the life of your contract. The cost of your tuition and fees may also exceed the annual benefit limit which varies depending on your benefit program. Any amount over that will be charged to you.
What if I need additional funding for my educational journey?
The Yellow Ribbon Program assists eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) students who attend a degree-granting school where tuition and fees exceed the annual benefit limit. You can use the Yellow Ribbon Search Tool to see if your school participates. Additional financial resources may also be available through your state, though different states have different eligibility requirements and limitations on concurrent benefit use. You can learn more at your State Veteran Affairs office.
How will my benefits be charged for my education or training?
Under most GI Bill programs, you get 36 months of full-time benefits. If you are training full-time for 4 months you use 4 months of benefits. If you are training at 1/2 time for 4 months, you use 2 months of benefits. If you are enrolled in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program, your benefits are charged according to the amount of benefits you are receiving.
How long do I have to use my GI Bill benefits?
Here is some basic information about your delimiting date, meaning the deadline to use your benefits:
- If you are eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (Chapter 33) and
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Your service ended before January 1, 2013 – your Post-9/11 benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service.
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Your service ended on or after January 1, 2013 – your benefits will not expire.
- If you are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30):
- A smaller group of beneficiaries are eligible under the Dependents and Survivors program (Chapter 35) or the Fry Scholarship.
- Under the Dependents and Survivors Program, spouses have 10-20 years from the date they qualify and children can use the benefit between the ages of 18 and 26.
- Under the Fry Scholarship, spouses have 15 years from the date they qualify, unless they remarry, and children can use the benefit between the ages of 18 and 33.
- There are very limited circumstances where you can request an extension if you were seriously ill or otherwise totally incapacitated. Learn more by calling the ECC.
- NOTE: You must have completed all of your training by the expiration date, not just begun training.
Who should I reach out to if I have a question?
Get to know your School Certifying Officials (SCOs), who work for your school, as your first point of contact for questions. You can use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to find them. You can also submit a question electronically through Ask VA. You’ll need a VA.gov account to access VA online resources across all of your benefits, including Ask VA, so we’ve created a video to walk you through the steps to verify your account.
Why did I get this message?
We hear your feedback and use it to help us find ways to better meet your needs, including this email. You may receive surveys in the future when you interact with VA to receive and use your benefits, and we encourage you to fill those out to help us keep improving.
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We look forward to supporting you as you pursue your education and training goals. Please regularly check your email regularly as we often send messages with important information and updates. You can also connect with us on Facebook to stay up to date with GI Bill news and information.
Best wishes on your educational pursuits.
Respectfully,
Education Service
Department of Veterans Affairs
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