Veterans Educational Federal Benefits

To qualify for monthly educational benefits through Veterans Affairs (VA), a veteran must be enrolled in an approved associate degree or technical diploma program. The Wisconsin Educational Approval Board approves most programs of study at Madison College for veterans benefits. It is the responsibility of the student receiving veterans’ educational benefits to notify the Madison College Veterans Service Office of any changes in enrollment status or withdrawal.

Students receiving Federal GI Bill Benefits are required by the VA to submit both military and prior college transcripts.

Please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs for detailed information regarding the Federal GI Bill Education Benefits listed below.

What's New: 2011 GI BILL Changes

To find out how changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) will affect veterans education benefits (BAH and more), please visit the VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill Changes website.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.

Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30)

Generally this applies to active duty enlistees who entered service after June 30, 1985, who contributed $100 for the first 12 months of service.

Service-Connected Disabled Veterans (Chapter 31)

Services for service members and veterans with a 20 percent, or greater, service-connected disability.

Survivors and Dependents (Chapter 35)

For spouses and children of 100 percent service-connected disabled or deceased Veterans.

Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

For members who enlist or re-enlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, the Army National Guard and the Air Guard.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607)

REAP is a new benefit providing educational assistance to members of the reserve components - Selected Reserve (Sel Res) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) - who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.

How to apply for Federal VA Education Benefits at Madison College

You must be accepted or currently enrolled in a VA approved program. The Madison College Catalog lists approved programs of study. If you are applying for Federal VA Educational Benefits for the first time, you are encouraged to contact the Veterans Service Office at Madison College six to eight weeks prior to the beginning of a new semester.