Veterans Education Assistance Program

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

VEAP is available if you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government. The benefits may be used for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training program, and vocational flight training programs.

The Veterans Education Assistance 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.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) 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.

Your contributions may be withdrawn if you do not meet the basic eligibility requirements or if you make a formal request for a refund of the contributions withheld.

Certain eligibility requirements apply. Please visit www.vba.va.gov to determine if you are eligible for the VetSuccess program.

Applying For VEAP Benefits

It is important to ensure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If this is unclear, VA will inform you and the school/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.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. It is sometimes referred to as the Chapter 31 program. The VetSuccess program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VetSuccess offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

Services that may be provided by the VR&E VetSuccess Program include:

• Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills and interests for employment
• Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
• Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development and other work readiness assistance
• Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations
• On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships and non-paid work experiences
• Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
• Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling and medical referrals
• Independent living services for veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities