VA Education and Training Benefits
You may qualify for GI Bill® programs that provide educational benefits to support your EMT or paramedic training.
Steps to Apply for VA Educational Benefits
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- Register online.
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- Identify your VA Educational Benefit Chapter, and select from the options listed.
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- Apply for VA Educational Benefits via your va.gov account and complete the applicable VA application.
- Complete the VA Documents for Student Records packet sent upon registration.
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- This contains the Withdrawal and Refund Policy, VA Form 010, VA Form 005, and an Academic Attestation.
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- Submit your documentation:
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- Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- DD214 – If you need to access your DD214 service record click here: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
- Joint Service Transcripts (military transcripts) or College of the Military Transcripts – If you need to access to your Joint Service Transcripts for military training transcripts, you can do so here: https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signInForm/submit.do
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- Complete your monthly enrollment verification if you are utilizing your Reserve GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill® or Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
- Register online.
What Chapter Am I?
There are several types of VA Education and Training Benefits. While this page offers a quick overview, be sure to review the VA’s detailed information about these benefit types.
Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30)
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30) (MGIB-AD) benefits generally apply to eligible veterans who began active duty service for the first time after July 30, 1985, had their pay reduced by $100/month for the first 12 months of service and received an honorable discharge.
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- Up to 36 months of education benefits.
- Generally payable for 10 years after your release from active duty.
- VA sends funds directly to the student, who is responsible for paying the school directly for tuition and fees.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) (Chapter 31)
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (Chapter 31) assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare, find and keep suitable jobs. Veterans are eligible if they:
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- Have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap.
- Have received or will receive an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge.
- Apply for VR&E services.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
Eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) includes:
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- Active duty service at least 90 aggregate days after Sept. 10, 2001.
- Individuals honorably discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days of continuous service.
- For 100% of the benefit, must have continuously served an aggregate of 36 months after Sept. 10, 2001.
Effective Aug. 1, 2009, eligible participants (veterans, service members, and dependents) pursuing a VA-approved training program may receive benefits at a percentage based on length of active duty service:
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- Cost of tuition and fees paid directly to the school. Tuition should not exceed the most expensive public institution in-state undergraduate rate.
- Monthly housing allowance paid directly to the veteran or dependent. See the Current Rate Payments based on eligibility. Active duty and spouse of active duty are not eligible for this allowance.
- Yearly book and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year paid directly to the service member, veteran or dependent.
Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
The Survivors’ & Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) is for eligible spouses and dependents. A beneficiary must be the dependent of one of the following:
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- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
- A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
- A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A service member hospitalized or receiving outpatient care for a VA-determined service-connected permanent and total disability may be eligible.
Benefits overview:
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- EMTS cannot submit your certification to the VA without your sponsor’s Social Security Number.
- Monthly allowance based on the training time.
- Student submits tuition and fee payments directly to the school.