VA Education Benefits provide financial support for your experience at IU. This page will help you understand your benefits eligibility.
A summary of benefit options is listed below. For complete details about each program, visit the GI Bill® Web site. Before you apply for VA benefits, make sure you have completed the steps outlined in Getting Started.
Options for Benefits
There are significant differences between Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 benefits. You can switch from the Chapter 30 program to Chapter 33, but the change is permanent, and should only be made after you understand the differing amounts of entitlement available under each program.
Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill
The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of educational benefits toward your IU degree or certificate program. Benefits are available to you for 15 years after ending active duty. Under this program, you are entitled to funds based on the length of time you were active duty. Dependents may also use Chapter 33 benefits transferred to them by their sponsor.
Yellow Ribbon Program
IU East is a Yellow Ribbon Institution.
The Yellow Ribbon program under the Post 9/11 GI Bill provides additional financial assistance to nonresident or graduate students whose costs are not fully covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill. To qualify, you must be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 100% tier and be charged non-resident tuition rates. The Yellow Ribbon Program factsheet and application are below.
A provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program specifies that degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States may voluntarily fund up to 50 percent of their Veteran students' tuition and fees that exceed the highest rate at a public, in-state school. In return, Veterans Affairs will match the contribution dollar for dollar, providing the remaining funds needed to cover the difference.
In participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the university has agreed to contribute up to $1500 per academic year ($750 per semester) for each veteran enrolled as an adult degree completion student, and $1500 per academic year ($750 per semester) per veteran enrolled as a traditional undergraduate student in our College of Undergraduate Studies. There is a limit of 10 students total, between adult degree completion and traditional undergraduate students, who may receive this benefit in any given academic year. With Veterans Affairs matching in full, this means that qualifying students could receive between $5,000 and $10,000 each year toward financing their education.
Chapter 30, Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)—Active Duty
This program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits toward your IU degree or certificate program. Benefits are available to you for 10 years after ending active duty. You must have contributed $1,200 to the MGIB during your first year on active duty to be eligible.
Chapter 31, Disabled Veterans Qualified for Vocational Rehabilitation
In most cases, in order to receive Chapter 31 education benefits, you must receive monthly VA disability payments. However, exceptions are made in some cases. This award will cover tuition, books, supplies, and other education-related expenses. Application is separate and distinct from the education benefit applications. Contact Veterans Support Services for further information.
Chapter 35, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
To receive funds toward your education under this program, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of a deceased, disabled, or captive veteran. Limitations for receiving benefits vary with age, and the circumstances surrounding the veteran’s discharge.
Chapter 1606, Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve
The Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve benefits are available to members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard. Funding will be provided toward your IU degree or certificate program.
Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) for Those Called to Active Duty under the National Call to Service Program
This education program provides up to 36 months of benefits for members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve, and National Guard who are placed on active duty because of war or other national emergency.
Chapter 901, Educational Assistance Test Program
To be eligible for benefits under this program, you must have enlisted in the Air Force between December 1, 1980, and September 30, 1981, and meet all other military requirements, including enlisting in specific Air Force specialties at select locations.
Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information on what each benefit has to offer you.
eBenefits
The eBenefits web portal is an online resource for tools and benefits-related information. The portal serves Veterans, Service members , their families, and their caregivers. Register for a Premium account at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal. See below for the eBenefits fact sheet and tips for using the eBenefits portal.
Please note: GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
