Benefits Comparison Chart

Codification

Chapter 33, 38 USC

Chapter 30, 38 USC

Chapter 1606, 10 USC

Chapter 1607, Title 10 USC

Effective date

New benefit becomes effective Aug 1, 2009 - payments not retroactive

Eligibility may be established using active duty service performed on or after 9/11/01

Remains in effect

Remains in effect

Remains in effect

What determines benefit amount

The benefit level is determined based upon an individual's aggregate qualifying active duty service.

See table for active duty members

See table for reserve & national guard members

Three part benefit

• Tuition and fees at the school of the veteran's choice - limited to the in-state tuition for the highest priced undergraduate public Institution of Higher Learning (IHL).
• Monthly housing allowance equal to the BAH payable for an E-5 with dependents located in the zip code of the educational institution where the individual is enrolled.
• Up to a $1,000 annual stipend for books and supplies

Note: Active duty members receive 100% tuition and fees of whatever school they attend, but do not receive the housing allowance or books and supplies stipend.

Amount is fixed regardless of education program - adjusted annually based on the average undergraduate tuition as determined by the National Center for Education Statistics

Amount is fixed regardless of education program - adjusted annually based on the average undergraduate tuition as determined by the National Center for Education Statistics

Amount is fixed regardless of education program - adjusted annually based on the average undergraduate tuition as determined by the National Center for Education Statistics

Education Benefit

Tuition and fees paid directly to school -- actual cost may vary by state and veteran's period of service

Since August 1, 2008, the full-time monthly rate is $1321.00 for individuals who served 3+ years of service.

Since August 1, 2008, the full-time monthly rate is $1073.00 for individuals who served less than 3 years of service.

Since October 1, 2008, the full-time monthly rate is $329.00

Since August 1, 2008, the full-time monthly rate is

$1,056.80 for individuals with at least 2 years of consecutive active-duty service;

$792.60 for individuals with at least 1 year but less than 2 years of consecutive active-duty service;

$528.40 for individuals with at least 90 days but less than 1 year of consecutive active-duty service

Housing Allowance

Monthly housing allowance equal to the BAH payable for an E-5 with dependents (located in the zip code of the educational institution where the individual is enrolled).

Individuals who are pursuing training while on active duty, solely via distance learning, or are training at half-time or less are NOT eligible to receive the monthly housing allowance.

None, however benefit can be used for room and board at the veteran's discretion.

None, however benefit can be used for room and board at the veteran's discretion.

None, however benefit can be used for room and board at the veteran's discretion.

Book Stipend

Up to a $1,000 per year for books and supplies. Individuals eligible at the 100% benefit level may receive $41.67 for each credit hour certified up to 24 credit hours each academic year. The books and supplies stipend will be paid in a lump sum amount for each term, quarter, or semester certified.

None, however the benefit can be used for books and supplies at the veteran's discretion.

None, however the benefit can be used for books and supplies at the veteran's discretion.

None, however the benefit can be used for books and supplies at the veteran's discretion.

Eligibility

Members who served on active duty for at least 90 aggregate days after 9/10/01.

Active duty exclusions include:

• Service Academy graduate commitment
• ROTC scholarship graduate commitment
• Active duty served as a requirement for student loan repayment under chapter 109, 10 USC

* Members who serve at least 30 continuous days on active duty and were released due to a service-connected disability are also eligible.

Members who first entered active duty on or after 7/1/85 and who had at least a two-year enlistment.

Generally, individuals commissioned as a result of completion of an ROTC program who received more than $3,400 while under an ROTC scholarship each school year and Service Academy graduates are not eligible for chapter 30.

Members who have a 6 year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after 6/30/85. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve 6 years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a 6 year commitment that begins after 9/30/90

Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT)

Generally, a member of a Reserve component who serves on active duty on or after 9/11/01 under title 10, U.S. Code, for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation, is eligible for REAP.

National Guard members are eligible if their active service extends for 90 consecutive days or more and their service is:

• authorized under section 502(f), title 32, U.S. Code,
• authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency, and
• supported by federal funds.

Administration of payment

Tuition payment will be made directly to the school after proof of enrollment

Housing stipend paid monthly to veteran

Books and supplies stipend paid to veteran proportionately in first month of each academic term

Monthly check sent to veteran after proof of enrollment

Monthly check sent to veteran after proof of enrollment

Monthly check sent to veteran after proof of enrollment

"Kicker" or College Fund

Allows "kickers" up to $950 per month for recruitment for critical skills - up to $350 per month for retention

Allows individuals with "kicker" earned under Chapter 30 and 1606 to continue to receive appropriate increase under Chapter 33

Allows "kickers" up to $950 per month for recruitment for critical skills - up to $350 per month for retention

Allows "kickers" up to $350 per month.

Allows "kickers" up to $350 per month.

Transferability

Members with at least 6 years of service who reenlist for at least 4 more years, can transfer up to
36 months of benefits to their dependents.

• Sponsor may transfer entitlement only while serving as a member of the Armed Forces.
• Sponsor may modify or revoke entitlement at any time.

Spouse may use transferred benefits immediately; child may use transferred benefits after sponsor has completed 10 years of service

Members with at least 6 years of service who reenlists for at least 4 more years, can transfer up to 36 months of benefits to their dependents.

Sponsor may transfer, modify, or revoke entitlement at any time.

Spouse may use transferred benefits immediately; child may use transferred benefits after sponsor has completed 10 years of service

None

None

Servicemember pay reduction

New enrollees pay nothing

For those who transfer from Chapter 30 to Chapter 33, a proportional amount of the basic $1200.00 contribution will be included with the last monthly housing allowance payment when Chapter 33 entitlement exhausts.

$100 per month for first 12 months

None

None

Student Loan Repayment

Not addressed

Not addressed

Not addressed

Not addressed

Service requirement

From 90 days to 3+ years of cumulative active duty service after 9/10/01

* Members who served at least 30 continuous days on active duty and were released due to a service-connected disability are also eligible.

3+ years of continuous active duty for full benefit
Reduced benefit for original active duty obligation of at least two, but less than three years of active
2 years continuous active duty + 4 years in Selected Reserve

Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit

Your eligibility generally ends when you leave the Selected Reserves.

Benefit term

Up to 36 months

Up to 36 months

Up to 36 months

Up to 36 months

Public-Private Partnership

"Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program" -
IHL schools may enter into an agreement to fund up to 50 percent of the established charges not covered under Chapter 33.

VA will match each additional dollar funded by the school however, the combined amounts may not exceed the full cost of the schools established charges.

This program is only available to individuals who served an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service or who were released for a service connected disability.

Not addressed

Not addressed

Not addressed

Time Limit to use benefits

15 years from last discharge or separation

10 years from last discharge or separation

If your eligibility to this program began on or after 10/1/92, your period of eligibility ends 14 years from your beginning date of eligibility, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

If your eligibility to this program began prior to 10/1/92, your period of eligibility ends 10 years from your beginning date of eligibility, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

Members who were called up from the Selected Reserve, completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then returned to the Selected Reserve for the remainder of their service contract are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation. In addition, members who were called up from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then entered the Selected Reserve to complete their service contract are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation.

Members who were called up from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then returned to the IRR/ING are not eligible for the 10-year post service eligibility period.

Members who were called up from the Selected Reserve, completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, returned to the Selected Reserve, and later transferred to the IRR/ING are not eligible for the 10-year post service eligibility period.