Hey everyone. I was hoping someone could help me differentiate between the ch 35 benefits and the gi bill in terms of military college benefits. I've read a bit about both, but I'm still not clear on the differences. Can anyone simplify it a bit for me, please?
Sure, I'd be happy to break it down for you!
In essence, Chapter 35 Benefits and the GI Bill are both designed to help support education for military service members, veterans, and their eligible family members, but they cater to different groups and provide different types of benefits.
Chapter 35, also known as DEA (Dependents' Educational Assistance), specifically provides education and training opportunities to the dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition. This benefit can be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
On the other hand, the GI Bill refers to a collection of benefits that cover more individuals and provide more types of support. The term typically refers to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides benefits for service members and veterans (and their families, in some cases) who served on active duty for 90 or more days after Sept. 10, 2001. Benefits can be used for undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational and technical training, and more.
Moreover, the Post-9/11 GI Bill also includes additional provisions such as the Yellow Ribbon Program—which can provide additional financial assistance to cover institutions with higher tuition—and the transferability option—which allows service members to transfer unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children.
In terms of benefits, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to 36 months, or up to a determined amount per academic year for private or foreign schools. It also provides a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for textbooks and supplies.
Chapter 35 benefits, on the other hand, provide a monthly stipend for the student, which can vary depending on the type of educational or training program and other factors.
In conclusion, while both are designed to support educational goals of those connected with military service, they cater to different populations and offer different types of support. It's important to thoroughly research both options and consider personal circumstances to decide which is most suitable. I'd always recommend consulting with a VA representative or a school's financial aid office for further guidance.
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