BENEFIT SUMMARIES
Description of Veterans Benefits
To receive Veterans Educational Benefits at USC-Columbia, you must be certified by the University Office of Veterans Services, located in the Russell House, Room 316. Most veterans' education benefits are considered as a portion of your overall (veteran and other) education benefits and must be reported to the financial aid office before receiving financial aid other than VA benefits.
Veterans Educational Benefits **
Chapter 30
The Montgomery G.I. Bill ('new' G.I. Bill): This program provides educational benefits for individuals entering the military service after June 30, 1985. (Reservists and National Guard members should refer to Chapter 1606 below.)
Any previous recipient of "old' G.I. Bill" benefits should report them as Chapter 30 on this form.
Detailed Information:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH30/CH30_Pamphlet_General.htm
For Chapter Benefit Rates:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm
Chapter 31
Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans: This program if for individuals who have a compensable service-connected disability, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines that training and rehabilitation services are needed to overcome an employment handicap. Students reporting this benefit must report the monthly subsistence allowance on this form. Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans: This program if for individuals who have a compensable service-connected disability, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines that training and rehabilitation services are needed to overcome an employment handicap. Students reporting this benefit must report the monthly subsistence allowance on this form.
For More Information:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/
For Chapter Benefit Rates:
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/sa.htm
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act- Chapter 33
You may be eligible if you served at least 90 days on active duty after 10 September 2001, and you are still on active duty or were honorably discharged from active duty. Individuals eligible for the GI Bill Selected Reserve or REAP and that qualify for Chapter 33 may make an irrevocable election to receive Post-9/11 benefits. Military personnel currently on active duty may be eligible to transfer their Chapter 33 Post-9/11 benefits to their authorized dependents. To determine that eligibility, see the website listed below:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/ch33/transfer.htm
For More Information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Post-911.htm
Chapter 35
Dependants Educational Assistance Program: This program is for dependants (spouse or children) of individuals who die or are permanently and totally disabled from service connected causes.
For Chapter Benefit Rates Detailed Information :
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH35/CH35_Pamphlet_General.htm
For Chapter Benefit Rates:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm
Related Benefits:
Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors – REPS
Free Tuition for Certain SC War Veterans (on "Important Information" Page)
Chapter 1606-Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve (Old Chapter 106): This program is available to members of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard. Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve (Old Chapter 106): This program is available to members of the Selected Reserve, including the National Guard.
Detailed Information :
http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1606/CH1606_Pamphlet_General.htm
For Chapter Benefit Rates:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)- Chapter 1607
This program is for reservists who were activated for a period of at least 90 days after the attack on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001
For More Information: https://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/CH1607_Pamphlet.pdf
For Chapter Benefit Rates: https://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates/CH1607/ch1607rates100106.htm
REPS- Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors: The REPS program pays benefits similar to Social Security after Social Security payments cease. Certain survivors (spouses and unmarried children over age 18) of deceased veterans who died of service-connected causes incurred or aggravated prior to August 31,1981 are eligible.
For More Information: Call 1-888-442-4551 or 1-314-589-9803
**This is for information only and does not determine your eligibility for any of these Chapters. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the only agency that can determine eligibility for and award these benefits.
Yellow Ribbon Program Benefit Summary
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution. The University of South Carolina – Columbia has agreed to accept the first 50 applicants who are eligible for the Post 9/11 benefit at the 100% rate. Applicants should contact the Office of Veterans Services at 777-5156 for details on how to apply for Yellow Ribbon benefits at USC.
For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Program:
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/Yellow_ribbon.htm