Veterans
Education Benefits

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill^® – Active Duty

• • Provides up to 36 months of educational benefits.
  • Because these monthly benefits are paid directly to the veteran, you are responsible for paying your school bill.
  • Enrollment must be certified on the last day of each month to continue to receive funds. The DVA will not issue payment until you verify your enrollment.
    • Certify your enrollment using the WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) system.

Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment)

• • Provides up to 48 months of educational benefits and will pay the applicable tuition and fee charges for approved programs.
  • A monthly housing allowance as well as money for books and supplies may also be available.
  • Contact Ryan Love for more information at ryan.love@va.gov.

Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill^®

• • Provides up to 36 months of educational benefits and will pay the applicable tuition and fee charges for approved programs.
    • A monthly housing allowance may also be available for students enrolled in 7 or more semester hours at DSCC.
  • Recipients (veteran, spouse or dependent) must verify enrollment each month via text, phone, or online.
    • Text: 44354
    • Phone: 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)
    • Online: https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/
  • Benefits may be transferrable to military spouse and/or dependents.
    • To transfer benefits, visit the Department of Defense Transferability of Education Benefits (TEB).
      • Choose “edit” for any family member listed who you wish to transfer your benefits.
      • Choose the start/end dates AND the estimated number of months benefits will be used.
      • Indicate you understand your actions and submit.
  • Visit TEB to track the status of your transfer request. The date and status will appear in the upper left corner after approval.

Chapter 35 – Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program

• • Provides up to 36 months of educational benefits.
  • Because these benefits are paid directly to the veteran, you are responsible for paying your school bill.
  • Enrollment must be certified on the last day of each month to continue to receive funds. The DVA will not issue payment until you verify your enrollment.
    • To certify enrollment, call 888-442-4551 and select option 1.
  • A monthly housing allowance as well as money for books and supplies may also be available.

Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill^® – Selected Reserve

• • Provides up to 36 months of educational benefits and will pay the applicable tuition and fee charges for approved programs.
  • Enrollment must be certified on the last day of each month for veterans to continue to receive their funds. The DVA will not issue payment until you verify your enrollment.
    • Certify your enrollment using the WAVE (Web Automated Verification of Enrollment) system.

** IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE FOR MORE THAN ONE BENEFIT, YOU’LL NEED TO DECIDE WHICH TO RECEIVE. YOU CAN’T RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER MORE THAN ONE PROGRAM AT A TIME. **

Helping Heroes Grant

The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the Tennessee state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.

• • The award amount is $1,000 per semester for a student who enrolls in twelve (12) or more semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall receive $500 per semester for enrolling in six (6) to eleven (11) semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall not receive an award if enrolled in fewer than six (6) semester hours.

Federal Military Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Congress gave each service the ability to pay up to 100% for the tuition expenses of its members. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process’ and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.

TN State Tuition Assistance/Tennessee STRONG Act

The Tennessee STRONG (Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen) Act provides eligible members of the Tennessee National Guard tuition funding through a tuition reimbursement program. This program is used in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance to pursue professional and personal self-development goals. Students must complete application packets within 90 days of course completion. As a reimbursement program, funds will be sent after the semester is finished if the student is eligible.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The absence of the registration symbol ^® does not constitute a waiver of VA’s trademark rights in that phrase.