Veterans Services

VEAP Chapter 32

What is VEAP?

The Post-Vietnam Veterans Educational Assistance Program, or "VEAP" for short, is an education benefit for veterans who paid into VEAP while they were in the service. Eligible veterans may be entitled to as much as 36 months of training. Eligibility usually ends 10 years after getting out of the service, but the time limit can be longer in certain cases. Eligible veterans may pursue any of the following types of training:

College or University Programs

Correspondence Courses

Business, Technical or Vocational Training

Flight Training, in some cases

Apprentice/On-the-Job Training

High School Diploma or equivalent

Remedial, Deficiency, and Refresher Training (in some cases)

The cost of tests for licenses or certifications needed to get, keep, or advance a job

Note: Program must be approved for VA training.

Who Is Eligible ?

  • You may be eligible if you’re still on active duty, call the toll-free number below for details about your eligibility for VEAP or to find out if you may switch to the Montgomery Bill.
  • You were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable AND
  • You first entered active duty after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985, and
  • You contributed to VEAP before April 1, 1987 and
  • You served long enough to qualify (See box below)

Length of Service Requirement: You generally had to complete 24 continuous months of active duty. Please contact the toll-free number if you have less service, as there are some exceptions.

Note: Contributions may be refunded. Please call toll-free number below for more information.

What Does VA Pay ?

The total dollar amount of your benefits is the sum of:

  • Your total contributions, PLUS
  • Matching funds from VA equal to 2 times your contributions, PLUS
  • Any DOD contributions or "kickers"

The monthly amount you'll receive is based on the total (above), the number of months you contributed, the type of training you're in, and your training time.

How Can You Apply ?

When you find a program approved for VA training, you can apply for VEAP by filling out VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. You can also apply on line through our website at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.

Related Benefits

Work-Study Program Tutorial Assistance
Noncontributory VEAP (Sec. 903) Refund of Contributions

For More Information Call Toll-Free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) Or Visit the Web Site At http://www.gibill.va.gov

VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

Benefit Description

VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. You may use these benefits for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs, and vocational flight training programs. In certain circumstances, remedial, deficiency, and refresher training may also be available.

Benefit entitlement is 1 to 36 months depending on the number of monthly contributions. You have 10 years from your release from active duty to use VEAP benefits. If there is entitlement not used after the 10-year period, your portion remaining in the fund will be automatically refunded.

Eligibility

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985;
  • Opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987;
  • Voluntarily contributed from $25 to $2700;
  • Completed your first period of service; and
  • Were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable.

If you are currently on active duty and wish to receive VEAP benefits, you must have at least 3 months of contributions available.

Contributions may be withdrawn if you do not meet the basic eligibility requirements or if you formally request a refund of the contributions withheld.

How to Apply

You should make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.

Obtain and complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. Send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over the State where you will train. If you are not on active duty, send copy 4 (Member Copy) of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty. If you are on active duty, you must have your enrollment approved by your base Education Services Officer, and you must have your service verified by your Commanding Officer.

If you have started training, take your application and Member Copy of DD Form 214 to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send all the forms to VA.

If you wish to withdraw your contributions from VEAP, obtain and complete VA Form 22-5281, Application for Refund of Educational Contributions, and send it to your nearest VA regional office.

Other Related Benefits

Additional information is available on VEAP in the VA pamphlet.

Contact your local VA Regional Office for additional assistance 1-888-442-4551.