Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act
Eligibility:
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, anyone who has served a minimum of 90 days after September 10, 2001 will generally be eligible to receive educational assistance.
Benefit Payments for Chapter 33
Chapter 33 differs from other education Chapters in that each type of payment is issued separately. Some payments are made directly to the school; others are made directly to the student. Tuition and fees will be paid directly to the school, a monthly housing allowance will be paid directly to the student, and a stipend for books and supplies will be paid directly to the student.
The benefit percentage allowed to the student is determined by their aggregate amount of active duty:
| Percentage Allowed | Amount of Active Duty Completed after September 10, 2001 | |
| 100% | At least 36 months | Discharge due to a service-connected disability after at least 30 continuous days of active duty |
| 90% | At least 30 months | Less than 36 months |
| 80% | At least 24 months | Less than 30 months |
| 70% | At least 18 months | Less than 24 months |
| 60% | At least 12 months | Less than 18 months |
| 50% | At least 6 months | Less than 12 months |
| 40% | At least 90 days | Less than 6 months |
Individuals who are eligible for a “kicker” or college fund under Chapter 30 or Chapter 1606 may receive a kicker for Chapter 33. The “buy-up” option of Chapter 30 and Chapter 1607 is not applicable to Chapter 33.
Rural Benefit
The rural benefit is for students who live in a county with a population per square mile of 6 people or less who have to relocate to attend school by at least 500 miles physically, or any distance by air if there is no available land-based transportation.
Yellow Ribbon Program
If a service member has a percentage of 100 they may be eligible for this program for themselves, or their dependent under a Transfer of Entitlement. This program is designed to give additional benefits to out-of-state applicants so that they can meet tuition payments that they are unable to pay under average Chapter 33 benefits.
For more information, visit the following link:
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/yellow-ribbon-program/
Length of Chapter 33 Eligibility
The period of eligibility will end if the 36 months of benefits for full-time enrollment are finished, or until 15 years after release from active duty. If the entitlement expires during the term, it may extend until the end of the term. If the student is eligible to receive benefits under Chapter 30 and completely exhausts all of their Chapter 30 benefits, then the student may be able to receive up to 48 months of benefits (an additional 12 months of benefits).
How to Get Certified for Chapter 33
We will require the following documents:
- VA Form 22-1990 (if student has never used/applied for benefit before)
- VA Form 22-1995 (if student has used benefit before, transferring from another institution) Certificate of Eligibility
Find these forms at the link here
Please notice the following information:
- Students must apply for VA benefits. As soon as you receive your approval, submit all required documents to the Kean University Office of Veteran’s Services on the second floor of the CAS building room 208.
- Every semester, you must visit the VA office for in-person enrollment.
- The classes will be checked by the certifying official; only classes on the most current signed degree program can be certified to the VA.
For changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, please visit the link:
https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill/post-9-11/ch-33-benefit/
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 the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
