Joseph Garcia's journey underlines the transformative power of education benefits. While enlisted in the U.S Air Force, Joseph was persuaded to register for night classes and embarked on an academic journey while juggling active duty and part-time work. After eight years of service and the help of the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD), he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Post-retirement, he used his benefits to earn an Executive Master’s in Leadership from Georgetown University.

Today, as the Executive Director of VBA Education Service, he now champions others to use their education benefits to reach their full potential. Don't delay—seize your future success today by utilizing the education benefits you've earned! Education can change your world, so start your journey now. Check your eligibility and apply for your education benefits today!

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Congress recently passed a law preventing further extensions of the payment pause. Student loan interest will resume starting on Sept. 1, 2023, and payments will be due starting in October. The Department of Education will notify borrowers well before payments restart. Visit the Federal Student Aid site for tips on how to prepare.

Post-9/11 GI Bill students: if you are taking courses or training this summer, please continue verifying your monthly enrollment at the end of each month to receive your Monthly Housing Allowance and/or kicker payments.

• If you are opted into text verification, you will receive verification texts from our 44354
• If you are opted into email verification, you will receive an email on the last day of the month to verify.
• If you are not opted into text or email verification, we encourage you to sign into your account on VA.gov with your verified ID.me or Login.gov account to verify current enrollments. You’ll be able to view past enrollments as well.

For more information, check out the Enrollment Verification webpage or watch our step-by-step video on how to verify your enrollment.

With the school year right around the corner, have you had a chance to review your Statement of Benefits? If you were awarded Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits, use your Statement of Benefits to plan out how your benefits can cover schooling expenses. Your statement of benefits will show you:

• If you have any Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
• How much of your tuition and fees cap for the academic year is remaining
• How much of your books and supplies cap for the academic year is remaining
• How much time you have left to use these benefits

If you have applied for your Post-9/11 GI Bill, verified your account through ID.me or Login.gov and received a decision letter, you may be eligible to review your statement. If you have any issues accessing it, please contact AskVA or call the Education Call Center at 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551).

Please note, at this time, the GI Bill benefit statement isn’t available online to family members and dependents. These individuals will need to request a copy of their education decision letter by mail to check their GI Bill benefit status.

Are you seeking additional training and employment for a new career in a technical field? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to helping Veterans and Service members prepare for and find meaningful employment, continuing the tradition of serving those who served, with VA. The Technical Career Field (TCF) program at VA offers two years of formal training in technical career fields such as information technology, engineering, contracting, environmental management, finance, health information management, human resources management, public affairs, supply chain management and more. Along with intensive, hands-on training, participants receive a salary, benefits and a stipend for required training and travel. For more information on the TCF program, including how to apply, click here.

Earn your IBM Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics or IT Support in a 16-week supported, virtual cohort launching August 7, 2023.

VA is committed to helping Veterans build as many pathways to employment and career success as possible, so we’re excited to announce a new training program developed in partnership with IBM!

IBM Skillsbuild is a FREE online training and credentialing platform created for adult learners interested in high-demand technology career fields. VA’s IBM Skillsbuild training cohorts are now open to all GI Bill beneficiaries!

This training does not utilize your VA education benefits and can be used in addition to formal benefit training programs.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Cohort start date: August 7, 2023
2. You must be a Veteran or beneficiary that holds or held entitlement to VA education benefits
3. This cohort will offer three learning tracks: IT Support, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics
4. Pre-training is required for acceptance into the cohort
5. Acceptance into the cohort is granted based on pre-training completion date – space is limited!

Don’t miss your chance to participate! Click on the field of interest below to register with SkillsBuild and complete your pre-training requirements early to secure your spot.

IT Support

Cybersecurity

Data Analytics

Important note: If you have previously accessed IBM SkillsBuild, or if you receive an error message, please reach out to the VET TEC team at vettecpartner@va.gov, indicate your track of choice, and we will manually add you to the required pretraining.

You can use part of your entitlement to cover the cost, up to $2,000, of certain tests you need to take to become a licensed or certified professional. We only cover tests approved for the GI Bill under this benefit, so find out what’s approved before you take any tests.

Have questions about your housing or books stipend? Read these FAQs to see what you’ll get paid, why and when to expect payments. They include:

• Who qualifies for housing payments?
• How much will my housing payment be?
• What if I don’t take classes or training every day that month?
• Will I receive a books and supplies stipend?
• When will my payments arrive?
• Will the payment arrive in one lump sum?

If you’re having trouble in a required subject and need a tutor, you can be reimbursed by the GI Bill for up to $100 a month and a maximum of $1,200. You’re eligible if you’re studying at more than half-time, taking a course that is difficult and the course is part of your educational program.

You will also need to make sure:

• Your instructor agrees to and submits a letter on your behalf
• Your school approves your need for a tutor

. Find more information and how to apply on our website.

If you’re a Veteran using the Post-9/11 GI Bill or a Fry Scholar, you may be eligible for an additional nine months (or $30,000) to help you complete your program.

You must:

1. Be enrolled in a qualifying STEM program,
2. Have completed a certain amount of time on your degree,
3. Have six months or less of your benefits left (if you apply too soon, you’ll be denied).

Learn more about what types of degrees and what fields qualify, and apply, on our website.

Are you studying in a field related to medicine or healthcare? VA offers scholarships to students willing to work in a VA healthcare facility serving our Nation’s Veterans. They cover many degrees and certifications and are also often tax-exempt. Find more information about the different programs on our website.

Do you have a question or concern about your benefits? Contact us safely and securely with Ask VA!