📊 VA Education Benefits Comparison Matrix
VASCO Standalone Tool #16 - Compare VA education benefits side-by-side
How to Use: This matrix compares the five main VA education benefit programs. Use this to counsel students on which benefit may be best for their situation. Remember that students can only use one benefit at a time and must meet specific eligibility requirements for each.
| Feature | Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill |
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill-AD |
Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill-SR |
Chapter 35 DEA |
Chapter 31 VR&E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | 90+ days active duty after 9/10/2001 | Active duty, must opt-in and pay $1,200 | Selected Reserve members | Dependents of disabled/deceased veterans | Service-connected disability, need vocational rehab |
| Total Months of Benefit | 36 months (up to 48 with eligibility for other programs) | 36 months | 36 months | 45 months | 48 months (case-by-case) |
| Tuition Coverage | Full public in-state tuition, OR up to the private/foreign national maximum (current VA rate) | Fixed monthly amount (current VA rate) | Fixed monthly amount (current VA rate) | Fixed monthly amount (current VA rate) | Full tuition and fees paid directly |
| Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) | YES - Based on BAH E-5 w/dependents at school ZIP; requires rate of pursuit above 50%, prorated by rate of pursuit | NO | NO | NO | YES - Subsistence allowance |
| Book Stipend | YES - Up to $1,000/year | NO | NO | NO | YES - Covers actual cost |
| Yellow Ribbon Eligible | YES (100% eligibility only) | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Transferable to Dependents | YES (with DOD approval) | NO | NO | N/A (already for dependents) | NO |
| Break Pay (MHA during breaks) | Paid if break <28 days | N/A | N/A | N/A | Varies by case |
| Payment to School vs Student | Tuition to school, MHA to student | All payments to student | All payments to student | All payments to student | Tuition to school, subsistence to student |
| Requires SAP (Satisfactory Progress) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Delimiting Date (Deadline to Use) | 15 years from last separation (can be extended) | 10 years from separation | 14 years from eligibility date | Until age 26 (exceptions available) | 12 years from notification (can be extended) |
| Online-Only Rate | Half the national average BAH, only for programs pursued entirely through distance learning (any in-person course = campus ZIP rate) | Same as in-person | Same as in-person | Same as in-person | Varies |
| Tutorial Assistance | YES - Up to $100/mo, max $1,200 | YES - Up to $100/mo, max $1,200 | YES - Up to $100/mo, max $1,200 | NO | YES - Full coverage |
| Licensing/Certification Tests | YES - Reimbursement available | YES | YES | NO | YES |
| Best For... | Recent veterans, maximum benefits, high cost schools | Active duty who opted in, lower tuition schools | Guard/Reserve members, part-time students | Dependents of severely disabled veterans | Veterans with service-connected disabilities needing training |
Quick Decision Guide:
- Choose Chapter 33 if: Eligible and attending high-cost school, need MHA, want Yellow Ribbon
- Choose Chapter 30 if: Paid into it, attending low-cost school, prefer lump sum payments
- Choose Chapter 1606 if: Guard/Reserve member, need basic education benefits
- Choose Chapter 35 if: Dependent of eligible veteran, need longest benefit period (45 months)
- Choose Chapter 31 if: Have service-connected disability, need comprehensive support and longer timeframe