1. Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Higher Education Veterans Programs
Regional Coordinator
Revised 11/07/18

2. Education Benefits Benefit Overview: Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Go Army Ed
State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)
GI Bill
Chapter 1606
Chapter 1607 (Program has been Sunset)
Chapter 30
Chapter 33
Chapter 31
Survivors and Dependents Assistance
OJT/Apprenticeship
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
MN GI Bill

3. Federal Tuition Assistance
Education Benefits
Federal Tuition Assistance
Go Army Ed
FTA will fund up to 100% of tuition. GAE-FTA pays up to $250 per SEM credit/ $167 per QTR credit, with a maximum of 16 Credits ($4000) per fiscal year.
Must be a satisfactory participant including: compliance with APFT, Ht/Wt standards for the current fiscal year.
Fails, withdraws, and grades lower than “C” for undergraduate and “B” for graduate level courses will see recoupment start within 90 days.
May not fund same course with CH 1606 GI Bill and FTA.
All eligible Enlisted Soldiers and Officers are required to apply for Federal TA before they are eligible to receive State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)

4. FTA Application Procedures:
Education Benefits
FTA Application Procedures:
Apple for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) through
Establish an account(VIA must be completed for 1st time users)
Must complete a multiple step process with supporting documentation to be approved for FTA.
Once all required documents are approved, the Soldier may apply for TA. Application process requires multiple approvals by MNARNG staff, this may take more than one sitting to finish so it’s important to start early.
The application window begins 60 days before the course start date and Soldiers must apply a minimum of 5 business DAYS BEFORE courses begin!

5. Education Benefits FTA Continued: Effective 5 August 2018
1. One-year wait after AIT/BOLC is rescinded
2. Ten-year service requirement to use FTA towards a master’s degree is rescinded
3. Must complete ALC, CCC, or WOAC to use FTA towards a master’s degree*

6. Tier 1 Eligibility: Education Benefits
Soldiers who have not attained a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue an undergraduate certificate/diploma, or associate or bachelor's degree; or have previously attained a bachelor's degree without the use of TA and who wish to pursue an undergraduate or graduate certificate/diploma or master's degree.
Soldiers establish tier 1 TA eligibility as follows:
a. Enlisted Soldiers who have graduated Advanced Individual Training.
b. Warrant officers who have graduated Warrant Officer Basic Course.
c. Officers who have graduated Basic Officer Leaders Course.

7. Tier 2 Eligibility: Education Benefits
Soldiers who previously used TA for any portion of their undergraduate degree, have attained a bachelor's degree, and wish to pursue an undergraduate or graduate certificate/diploma or master's degree.
If TA was used for any portion of the undergraduate degree, Soldiers establish tier 2 TA eligibility for pursuit of a master's degree as follows:
a. Enlisted Soldiers who have successfully completed Advanced Leaders Course.
b. Warrant officers who have graduated Warrant Officer Advanced Course.
c. Officers who have graduated Captain Career Course or equivalent.

8. Education Benefits Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)
ELIGIBLE SOLDIERS ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR
FTA TO RECEIVE STR! (01JUL18)
1July18 rates: Undergraduate $ and Graduate $ per credit.
Maximum yearly benefit is $17,000 per year for undergraduate and $18,000 per year for graduate level.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE PAYMENT is processed
Soldier must submit payment request form to Unit Admin NLT 90 days after end of course/term.
Grades: Undergraduate – no less than “C”; Graduate - no less than “B”.
Payment made via Direct Deposit using W9 & State Direct Deposit form.

9. STR Policy Changes (effective 01 Jul 18)
Education Benefits
STR Policy Changes (effective 01 Jul 18)
SM’s must have a passing and current APFT/HTWT/fitness test for the entire semester to be reimbursed STR.
STR will not fund a degree equal to or less than a member’s current degree level. If a Service member has a Master's degree, STR will not fund another Master's degree or anything lower (I.E. bachelor’s degree, or an associate’s degree)
All Officers must use FTA (if eligible) before being approved for STR.
Reduced GRADUATE STR rate from 100% to 50% of University of Minnesota's graduate rate.
Suspend STR for doctorate and graduate level first professional degrees. If a Soldier or Airmen used STR for Spring 2018 or Summer semester, they will be grandfathered in and will be eligible to continue to use STR for two additional years, at the 50% rate of the University of Minnesota's graduate rate ($711 per credit).

10. Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)
Education Benefits
Minnesota State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)
Extended Option
Time limit to use STR may be extended 2 years, plus the amount of time you served on federal active duty or federally funded state active duty.
144 Semester/208 quarter credits, max lifetime benefit
Must submit Memorandum of Understanding to prior to last day of semester
Must submit Payment Request Form, Grades, and Fee Statement to within 90 days of course completion

11. Spouse State Tuition Reimbursement Option
Education Benefits
Spouse State Tuition Reimbursement Option
Up to 12 semester/17 quarter credits per year not to exceed SM’s lifetime benefit of 144 semester/208 quarter credits
Service Member must have 8 years of qualifying service
Same process applies for requesting and receiving funds through Unit Administration
Open to E-1 through O-5, spouses of officers promoted to the grade of O-6 during the school term are eligible until the end of that term

12. GI Bill Education Benefits
Each chapter of the GI Bill is limited to a max of 36 months of full time benefits
May receive up to 48 months of benefits if eligible for more than one chapter
May be used for:
College Degrees & Non-College Degrees
On-The-Job Training & Apprenticeships
Flight Training
Licensing & Certification
Break or interval pay is no longer payable on any chapter of the GI Bill
Payments will be calculated based on the dates your term begins and ends
Partial months will be prorated

13. GI Bill - Qualifying for Two or More Programs
Education Benefits
GI Bill - Qualifying for Two or More Programs
36 months maximum benefit for any one program:
Chapter 1606, 1607, 30 or 33
48 months total benefit for two or more programs-must have qualifying service
Examples:
*SM uses 30 months of Chapter 1606, then qualifies for Chapter 1607 due to MOB; soldier is eligible for 18 months of CH 1607 benefits – total 48 month between CH 1606 & CH 1607.
*SM uses 36 months of CH 1606, then qualifies for CH 30 due to AGR tour; soldier is eligible for 12 months of CH 30 benefits – total of 48 months between CH 1606 & CH 30.

14. Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve
Education Benefits
Chapter Selected Reserve
No delimiting date if gained eligibility on/after 1 Oct 1992 and remain in an active drilling status
Three Main Eligibility Criteria:
6 Year Contract
High School Diploma or Equivalent
IADT (AIT/OBC) Graduation
Monthly full-time rate is currently $384 per month

15. Chapter 1607 - Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
Education Benefits
Chapter Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
The National Defense authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on Nov 25, Some individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until Nov 25, 2019 while other are no longer eligible for REAP.
Current Reap beneficiaries: Vets who were attending an educational institution on Nov 24, 2015, or during the last semester, quarter or term ending prior to that date, are eligible to continue to receive REAP benefits until Nov 25, 2019.
REAP beneficiaries not attending school: Vets who applied for REAP but were not attending an educational institution on Nov 24, 2015, or during the last semester, quarter, or term ending prior to that date, are no longer eligible for REAP benefits. They may be eligible to receive benefits under Post 9/11 GI Bill.
New REAP applicants: Vets who have not enrolled in school and applied for REAP benefits prior to Nov 25, 2015, are no longer eligible for REAP benefits. However, in most cases, they are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
If you have questions please call the VA at

16. Chapter 30 - Active Duty Education Benefits
Expires 10 years after discharge from active duty
Generally earned by serving 36 months continuous Title 10 service
Guard/Reservists who have served at least 20 months of 24-month Title 10 orders MAY be eligible
AGRs may be eligible
$1,200 buy-in and optional $600 Buy-Up; up to $150 per month for 36 months
Monthly full-time rate is currently: Less than 3 years $1,619.00/3+ years $1,994.00

17. Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits
Expires 15 years from date of separation from active duty
Requires minimum of 90 days aggregate active duty service on or after September 11, 2001; or 30 continuous days of active duty service and discharged due to service-connected disability (includes AGR)
Pays eligible percentage of $23, annually at private colleges for Tuition and Fees
Pays eligible percentage of Tuition and Fees at public colleges, with no cap

18. Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits
Pays eligible percentage of Monthly Housing Allowance based on E-5 with dependents using school zip code
Housing allowance for students enrolled solely in distance learning is payable based on eligible percentage of $825.00
Service Members on active duty, including AGR, are not eligible for monthly housing allowance
Pays eligible percentage of Books and Supplies up to $1,000 per academic year
Service Members on active duty, including AGR, may receive eligible percentage of books and supplies stipend

19. Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits
Eligible percentage is determined by amount of aggregate Title 10 service after September 10, 2001
At least 36 months %
At least 30 continuous days and
discharged due to service connected disability %
At least 30 months < 36 months %
At least 24 months < 30 months %
At least 18 months < 24 months %
At least 12 months < 18 months %
At least 6 months < 12 months %
At least 90 days < 6 months %

20. Transfer option for Chapter 33
Education Benefits
Transfer option for Chapter 33
Changes to transferring Post 9/11 GI Bill to eligible dependents
Qualifications –
Must be eligible for Post 911 GI Bill
Served 6 years
Eff 12July19 – must have less than 16 years of service to transfer
Must agree to serve 4 years from date of transfer
NOT be flagged for adverse action, APFT/ABCP failure, or as Unsatisfactory Participant
Transfer to an eligible dependent
Spouse and/or dependents must be listed under you in DEERS
Transfers to children must be completed before each child’s 23rd birthday

21. Forever GI Bill Education Benefits Effective 1 August 2018:
Qualifying Periods of Service. Title 10 Sections 12301(h), 12304a, and 12304b are qualifying service for Post-9/11 GI Bill.
12301(h) service on or after 11 September 2001.
12304a and 12304b service on or after 30 June 2008.
Payments for Service and eligibility for TEB will begin 1 August 2018.
Transfer of Education Benefit (TEB).
Service members can re-transfer Post-9/11 benefits if the original dependent dies, even after the service member separates; applies to deaths on/after 1 August 2009.
Dependents can re-transfer Post-9/11 benefits if the transferor dies and they have remaining months; applies to deaths on or after 1 August 2009.
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).
MHA based on campus where attending.
MHA is pro-rated and may be paid for days in a month the service member is not serving on active duty.
Purple Heart Recipients. Purple Heart recipients eligible at 100% payment tier.
Yellow Ribbon. Fry Scholarship and Purple Heart recipients eligible for Yellow Ribbon Program.
License and Certification. Entitlement charge for License and Certification tests are pro-rated.
Institution Closures. Service members may recover some benefits when the institution they are attending closes on or after 16 August 2017.

22. Kicker - Enlistment Contract Incentive
Education Benefits
Kicker - Enlistment Contract Incentive
A Kicker is an enlistment or re-enlistment incentive
If eligible, a Kicker is used in conjunction with Chapter (CH) , 1607, 30, or 33
Maximum benefit is up to $350 per month for 36 months
If you have a kicker and decide to apply for CH 33, always relinquish CH 1606 or CH 30, if eligible. If you relinquish CH 1607, your kicker will not transfer.

23. Chapter 31 – Federal VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Education Benefits
Chapter 31 – Federal VA Vocational Rehabilitation
Veteran with at least VA 20% (10% with severe employment handicap) disability rating may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services – possibly including retraining
If eligible for retraining, you may receive:
Monthly subsistence allowance
Tuition
Fees
Books
Supplies
Equipment
If needed, special services

24. Survivors and Dependents Assistance
Education Benefits
Survivors and Dependents Assistance
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Available for children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001.
Survivors/Dependents Educational Assistance Program (Chap 35)
Veteran must be permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition.
Veteran who has died while on active duty as a result of a service-related condition.

25. On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training
Education Benefits
On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training
On-the-job training (OJT) is training employees receive while performing a job and earning wages.
6 months to 2 years
Examples: Police Officer, Highway Patrol Officer, Jailer, Mechanic
Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction
2 years to 5 years
Examples: Machinist, Ironworker, Electrician, Carpenter, Plumber, Power Line Worker 

26. On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training
Education Benefits
On-the-Job & Apprenticeship Training
Chapter 33 (Post 9/11)
100% of eligible housing allowance for the first 6 months of training
Percentage of eligible housing allowance is reduced by 20% every 6 months
Once reduced to 20%, will continue for remainder of training
Up to $83 per month for books and supplies
Chapter 30, 1606, 1607
75% of the full-time GI Bill rate for the first 6 months of training
55% of the full-time GI Bill rate for the second 6 months of training
35% of the full-time GI Bill rate for the remainder of the training program

27. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Education Benefits
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete application online at:
If FAFSA reports income is too high for Grants eligibility, request a “Special Circumstances Evaluation” from your Campus Financial Aid Office

28. Minnesota GI Bill Education Benefits Eligibility:
Honorably discharged veteran (as defined by MN Statute )
Dependent eligible to receive Ch 35 or Ch 33 (if Vet has died or has a total and permanent disability as a direct result of service)
MN resident (as defined by MN Statute 136A.101, subd. 8)
Attending a MN institution or approved OJT/Apprentice program in MN
Can now be used for License/Certification reimbursement
Maximum benefit:
$3K/semester (full-time), $4K/year OJT
$3K/fiscal year
$10K lifetime
Process:
To apply go to
“Last Dollar In:” Cost of attendance minus Aid and Benefits

29. Questions? Contact a Regional Coordinator www.mymilitaryeducation.org