Chapter Benefits

  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides financial support for education and housing to 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®.

    Individuals eligible under Chapter 33 are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance. And an individual’s eligibility to use Chapter 33 benefits expires 15 years from the date of the last discharge or release from at least 90 consecutive days of active duty.

    As of August 1, 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® is effective for training. Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, professional degrees, and vocational/technical training. All training programs must be offered by an institution of higher learning (IHL) and approved for GI Bill® benefits. Additionally, tutorial assistance and licensing and certification test reimbursement are approved under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill®.

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill® will pay your tuition based upon the highest in-state tuition charged by a public educational institution in the state where the school is located. The amount of support that an individual may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing.

    Benefit Payments

    • Tuition and Fees: paid directly to the school on behalf of the student when the enrollment certification is processed. The tuition and fees payment is prorated by the students benefit level. The payment is the actual net cost for in-state tuition for tuition and fees after the application of tuition specific resources or waiver.
    • Monthly Housing Allowance: paid directly to the student at the beginning of each month for previous month. No payments for housing are ever paid to UCSB. The monthly housing allowance paid equals the Basic Allowance for Housing rate for an "E-5 with dependents" and the zip code of the school (93106). The housing allowance is prorated by the student’s length of service percentage and the rate of pursuit if not full time.
    • Books and Supplies: stipend paid directly to the student. The stipend is $1,000 paid proportionately based on enrollment.

    Visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website for further information about benefit payments rates.

    More Information and How to Apply

    Transfer of Eligibility

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also offers some service members the opportunity to transfer all or some of their unused benefits to their spouse or dependent children. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether or not you can transfer benefits. Once the DoD approves benefits for transfer, the new beneficiaries apply for them with the VA.

    More Information and How to Apply

    For further information, visit the Transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill® area of the Department of Veteran Affairs website.

  • Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

    The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents and spouses of veterans who are permanently ant totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of veterans who died while active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

    The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.

    The monthly benefit amount is paid directly to the student. No payments are sent to UCSB.

    Eligibility

    To be eligible, you must be the son or daughter (typically between ages 18 and 26), or spouse of:

    • A Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the armed forces
    • A Veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence
    • A Service member missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force
    • A Service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power
    • A Service member who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective Dec. 23, 2006

    More Information and How to Apply

    For further detailed information and eligibility requirements visit the DEA area of the Department of Veteran Affairs website or view the online DEA Program Pamphlet (PDF)

    Current and past rates for this benefit can be found on the US Department of Veteran Affairs website under Rate Tables

  • Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30 and 1606)

    The Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB) is available for those who enlist in the US Armed Forces. These benefits are paid on a monthly basis directly to the veteran. Current and past rates for this benefit can be found on the US Department of Veteran Affairs website under Rate Tables.

    There are two main programs:

    Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD) (VA Chapter 30): For active duty members who enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation. This program provides education benefits to Veterans and Service members who have at least two years of active duty.

    For further detailed information and eligibility requirements, visit the Montgomery GI Bill® (Active Duty) area of the Department of Veterans Affairs website or the view the online Chapter 30 Pamphlet.

    Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (VA Chapter 1606): For Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drilling. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components and VA makes the payments.

    For further detailed information and eligibility requirements, visit the Montgomery GI Bill® (Reserves) - Selected Reserve area of the Department of Veterans Affairs website or view the online 1606-Reserves.

    The monthly benefit amount is paid directly to the student. No payments are sent to UCSB.

  • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31)

    The mission of Vocational Rehab and Employment is to help veterans with service connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

    Eligibility

    A veteran may be eligible for VR&E benefits if he or she:

    • Has received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
    • Has a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
    • Applies for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services

    The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E's VetSuccess services may be used is 12 years from the latter of:

    • The date of separation from active military service
    • The date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating

    Services

    • Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, interests, and needs
    • Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning
    • Employment services such as job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance
    • Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives
    • If needed, training such as On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
    • If needed, post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
    • Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and referral
    • Independent living services
    • Assessments of the veteran's interests, aptitudes, and abilities
    • Assessments of whether service connected disabilities impair the veteran's ability to find and/or hold a job using the occupational skills he or she has already developed
    • Vocational exploration and goal development
    • Determine a Voc Rehab Veteran employment Track

    Process Summary

    A veteran who is eligible for an evaluation under Chapter 31 must complete an application and meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). If the VRC determines that an employment handicap exists as a result of a service-connected disability, the veteran is found entitled to services. The VRC and the veteran will then continue counseling to select a track of services and jointly develop a plan to address the rehabilitation and employment needs of the veteran, leading to employment or independent living.

    The rehabilitation plan will specify an employment or independent living goal, identify intermediate goals, and outline services and resources needed to achieve these goals. The VRC and the veteran will work together to implement the plan and achieve successful rehabilitation.

    If a veteran is found not to be entitled to services, the VRC will help the veteran locate other resources to address any rehabilitation and employment needs identified during the evaluation.

    More Information and How to Apply

    For further detailed information, eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment area of the Department of Veteran Affairs Website.

  • General Information for All Benefits

    How Can I Apply?

    If you have never applied for your VA Educational Benefits, apply online through the Department of Veteran Affairs: VONAPP or contact the Department of Veteran Affairs at 1-888-442-4551.

    If have applied for your benefits through Veteran Affairs and want to apply to use benefits at UCSB, please visit Receiving Benefits at UCSB.

    Additional Information