Q. What is the mission of Student Veterans of America?

• A. The mission of Student Veterans of America is to enhance the educational experience of veterans in higher education by empowering and supporting student veterans groups on college and university campuses throughout the country.
  
  Specifically SVA:
  
  - Develops new student veteran groups and supports existing groups at colleges and universities.
  
  - Connects student groups with resources
  
  - Advocates on behalf of student veterans at the state and national level.
  
  SVA is non-partisan and is solely focused on supporting veterans in higher education.

Q. What constitutes SVA Membership?

• A. Any student veteran organization recognized by their college or university may apply for membership in SVA as a member chapter through www.studentveterans.org. Membership is restricted to student veterans groups. Interested individuals are encouraged to join their institutions student veterans group or create one if there is not already one. For more information on establishing a student group at your school you should contact a SVA Regional Director.

Q. Does becoming an SVA chapter obligate my group to any activities or positions?

• A. Each chapter of SVA retains its identity and complete control over its activities, programs, positions and fundraising.

Q. How can chapters promote their membership in SVA?

• A. Chapters may use “a chapter of Student Veterans of America” language. For permission to use the SVA logo, contact SVA.

Q. How is SVA Funded? Does it cost to join or participate?

• A. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, SVA operates thanks to grants and donations. At this time donations are accepted through www.studentveterans.org and Facebook Causes.
  
  SVA chapter members are not required to pay dues.

Q. Who do I contact for information or assistance?

• A. Contact your SVA Regional Director for information concerning:
  - Starting a new student veterans group
  - Getting support for your student veterans group
  - Finding or connecting to available resources
• Click here for a list of Regional Directors
• Click here for to contact SVA executive leadership or for general information

Q. What educational benefits does the Department of Veterans Affairs administer?

• A. The primary veterans educational benefit provided by the federal government is the GI Bill. The Montgomery GI Bill is currently in effect and encompasses numerous versions (“chapters”) with different benefit payment rates depending on the specifics of the veteran’s service. The veteran must have an honorable discharge from military service.
  
  All chapters of the GI Bill are for a maximum of 36 full time months (72 part time months). The usage calculation is very literal and prorates partial months. Once a portion of the GI Bill benefit is used it is used for good. The student veteran must submit paperwork to their school VA Certifying Official each semester to receive their benefit. They must also verify their enrollment at the end of each month they are in school. The VA will then send them a check the following month. All chapters except 31 provide payment directly to the student and NOT their school. This money can go for any need the veteran has.
  
  Chapter 30 “Active Duty” – Veteran served at least 3 years active duty and paid $1200 enrollment fee.
  
  Chapter 31 “Vocational Rehabilitation” - is a Vocational Rehabilitation program is for service-disabled veterans who require further education to attain suitable and stable employment. This program may cover a qualified veteran’s tuition, fees, parking permit, a small supply stipend, purchased of needed educational aide (such as computer or software), and a monthly housing stipend. All payments are made directly to school except a housing stipend.
  
  Chapter 32 “Veterans Educational Assistance Program” - is available for those who first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Participants' contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. There are few veterans left with remaining entitlement to this program.
  
  Chapter 35 “Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program” - Provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.
  
  Chapter 1606 “Selected Reserve” - program may be available to members of the Selected Reserve (National Guard & Reserve components) as long as they continue to serve and have not deployed under federal orders
  
  Chapter 1607 “Mobilized Reserve” - is available to all reservists who, after September 11, 2001, complete 90 days or more of active duty service "in support of contingency operations." This benefit provides reservists return from active duty with up to 80% of the active duty (Chapter 30) G.I. Bill benefits as long as they remain active participants in the Reserves. Payment is made on a sliding scale based on the length of tour of duty.

Q. Is it possible to quality for more than one benefit program?

• A. Yes. You may be eligible for more than one VA education benefit program. However, you may only receive payments from one program at a time. You can receive a maximum of 48 months of benefits under any combination of VA education programs you qualify for. For example you may qualify for 36 months of Chapter 30 and then 12 more months of chapter 1606.

Q. How do I apply for education benefits?

• A. If you have are already admitted to a program or school, check with your Financial Aid Office or Office of the Registrar or call 1800-GIBILL1. If you haven’t decided on a program, or simply want a determination of your eligibility for education benefits, just submit VA Form 22-1990 to the appropriate VA regional office at www.va.gov. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a Certificate of Eligibility showing how long you’re eligible and how many months of benefits you can receive.

Q. How do I verify my monthly enrollment?

• A. If you're receiving the Active Duty or Reserve GI Bill or REAP (Chapters 30,1606, 1607) use the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave or call the Interactive Voice Response telephone line at 1-877-823-2378 to verify your attendance.

Q. What are the current payment rates for VA educational benefits?

• A. Current rates can be found at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm

Q. When does the Post 9/11 GI Bill go into effect? When Can I sign up?

• A. The Post 9/11 GI Bill “Chapter 33” goes into effect August 2009. The Department of Veterans Affairs will publish information on how to sign up for this new chapter of the GI Bill in the upcoming months. Note: Once you switch to Chapter 33 you CAN NOT switch back to your current chapter of the GI Bill.
• For the latest information see gibill.va.gov.

Q. What are the benefits of the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)?

• A. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides tuition payments, payment for books and supplies, a monthly housing stipend, and in some cases the ability to transfer education benefits from the veteran to dependant(s). The rate of these benefits is based on the length of active duty service since September 10, 2001.
  
  Tuition Payments – Payments for tuition and fees UP TO the amount of tuition and fees at the most expensive in-State public institution of higher education. Similar to Tuition Assistance, these payments go directly to your university or college.
  
  Housing Stipend – A monthly housing stipend equal to the monthly amount of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents. The average housing stipend will be approximately $1,100 a month.
  
  Book & Supplies Stipend – Up to $1000 a year for books and other academic supplies.
  
  Transferability to Relative – Some veterans may be authorized to transfer educational benefits to dependents. More information on this benefit will be available when the Post 9/11 GI Bill goes into effect.

Q. What are the eligibility requirements for the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

Q. How are benefits tied to active duty time?

• A. Tuition and books and supplied stipend rates for each eligible veteran are based on total Active Duty time since September 10, 2001.
  
  Active Duty Time / % Benefit
  
  At least 36 Month / 100
  Minimum 30+ Discharged for Service Connected Disability / 100
  30-35 Months / 90
  24-29 Months / 80
  18-23 Months / 70
  12-17 Months 60 5-11 Months / 50
  90 Days – 5 Months / 40

Q. How is the Post 9/11 GI Bill affected by previous GI Bill usage?

• A. Each chapter of the GI Bill is for up to 36 months of benefits. The number of months you have previously used will be deducted from your 36 months for the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Example: You use 10 months of Chapter 30 before switching to Chapter 33, you will have 26 months of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to use.

Q. I have a service-connected disability. Should I use the Post-9/11 GI Bill or
Vocational Rehabilitation?

• A. If you are eligible for both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (CH31), you should speak with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to determine which benefit is most beneficial to your situation.
  
  Q. How are monetary contributions to Chapter 30 affected by the Post 9/11 GI Bill?
  
  A. I did not contribute $1200.00 to the GI Bill. Can I still get the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
  
  Yes, you will be eligible if you meet the service requirements for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, even if you did not contribute to the Montgomery GI Bill.
  
  Do I get a refund of the $1,200.00 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill?
  
  Any individual who paid the $1,200.00 buy-in for the Montgomery GI Bill and elects to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill will be refunded a proportional amount if, and after all entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is used. Individuals who do not use all their entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not receive a refund of contributions paid under the Montgomery GI Bill.

Q. Will I receive a retroactive payment under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for classes I am taking before August 1, 2009?

• A. No. The Post-9/11 GI Bill only covers classes taken or training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. However, the payment rates for the active duty GI Bill and REAP will increase effective August 1, 2008.

Q. How does Student Loan Repayment affect the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

• A. The new GI bill will allow service members who enlisted under the student loan repayment plan to qualify for the new GI Bill benefits. However, time spent satisfying the student loan repayment obligation does not count toward the active duty service necessary to qualify for the benefits.

Q. Does the $600 buy-up transfer over to the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

• A. The $600 buy-up under the Montgomery GI Bill does not transfer over to the Post-9/11 GI Bill nor is VA authorized to refund the $600 buy-up.

Q. I'm going to an expensive school, how does that work under the new GI Bill?
(Yellow Ribbon Program)

• A. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to the most expensive in-state tuition and fees at a public institution of higher learning in the veteran's state, but you can still attend any approved school. In instances where the benefit level does not cover the cost of established charges, VA and the educational institution may enter into an agreement to cover the unmet expenses under the "Yellow Ribbon Program."
  
  Note: Only individuals entitled to the full 100% benefit rate (based on service requirement) may receive this funding, and the matching contribution from the school and VA cannot exceed the full cost of the school's established charges. Click here to verify your eligibility percentage
  
  *The "Yellow Ribbon" program is not available to active duty personnel.
  
  Example: An individual wants to attend a school with tuition and fees that exceed the cost of in-state tuition and fees at the most expensive public institution of higher learning in the veteran's state. The highest in-state tuition and fees are $10,000. The school the student selects costs $15,000. Under the "Yellow Ribbon" program, the school and the VA may enter into an agreement to cover the additional $5,000. In this instance, if a written agreement is made between VA and the school the school would cover $2,500 of the charges and the VA will match that figure.