The VA pays monthly benefits to eligible veterans, dependents, reservists, and service
members while they are in an approved training program such as college, on-the-job
training, and various kinds of technical training.
Student's eligible for federal veterans' educational benefits should contact the veterans'
coordinator in the financial aid office for applications needed and information on
the veterans' deferral program. For eligibility questions and receipt of benefits,
please contact the Veterans Administration at 1-888-442-4551 or visit their website
at www.gibill.va.gov.
Our major programs are
- Post 9/11 GI Bill : Education benefit for individuals who served on active duty on
or after September 11, 2001. Students may be eligible if they served at least 90 aggregate
days on active duty after September 10, 2001 and are still on active duty or were
honorably discharged from active duty. Additionally, the following criteria may apply:
released from active duty and placed on the retired or temporarily disabled list,
released from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve or Fleet Marine Corps
Reserve or released from active duty for further service in the reserves. See www.gibill.va.gov for more specifics about this program.
- Montgomery GI Bill: Students who first entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and
had money deducted from their military pay are generally eligible. Students can use
these benefits in service or out of service. Some Vietnam Era veterans and certain
veterans separated under special programs are also eligible. The Montgomery GI Bill
also includes a program for members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard members.
- Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP): This program is for veterans who entered
active duty for the first time after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985, and
contributed to an education fund.
- Survivors and Dependents' Education Assistance: Some spouses and children are eligible
for education benefits.
Time Limits
- VETERANS have 10 years from the date they were last released from active duty to use
their education benefits except for the new Post 9/11 GI Bill recipients who have
15 years of eligibility.
- RESERVISTS and NATIONAL GUARD members have 10 years from their eligibility date, which
is determined by the Department of Defense or the Department of Transportation.
- SPOUSES have 10 years from the date VA determines them eligible.
- CHILDREN are generally eligible from age 18 through age 26.
These time limits can sometimes be extended.
Eligibility
To find out if you are eligible for VA educational assistance, complete one of the
VA Applications below.
Application forms are also available at the Financial Aid Office, VAN 105.
All Veteran application forms must be returned to the Financial Aid Office for processing.
For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.gibill.va.gov, or call 1-888-442-4551.
Please visit the Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools for SUNY Ulster’s cohort default rate (CDR) information as well as information on
the national average CDR
