Veteran's Educational Benefits

How to File

• Requirements for Filing
• Filing Procedures
• First Time Applicants Required Forms For Filing
• Adding or Changing Major/Degree Objective

Students must be admitted and enrolled at Caltech in a degree program. However, undergraduates must be fully admitted before filing.

Please note that Caltech's CTME courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs do not qualify for VA benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 33 (GI Bill®), 35, 1606, and 1607.

All forms for first-time applicants, continuing students, and transfer students can be obtained online at http://www.gibill.va.gov.

Students who wish to receive educational assistance must inform the Registrar each semester.

Processing applications takes the Veterans Administration approximately 6 to 8 weeks. This means, after your paperwork has been submitted by Caltech to the Veterans Administration, you can expect a check for the current enrollment to arrive 6 to 8 weeks later. Thereafter, checks will arrive at the beginning of each month for the previous month. Questions concerning payment after you have been certified should be directed to the Veterans Administration at 1-800-827-1000.

All Applications are located online using Vets.gov.

Required Forms For Filing

• VA APPLICATION FORM (VA 22-1990) - For new applicants under VA programs: Chapter 30, 32, 33, 1606 and 1607. (eligible veterans).
• VA APPLICATION FORM (VA 22-5490) - For new applicants under VA program: Chapter 35 (eligible dependents of veterans).
• VA APPLICATION FORM (VA 22-1990E) - For transfer of entitlement under VA program: Chapter 33 (eligible dependents of veterans).

Once registered, first time applicants must submit the following:

• Copy of the online application
  • Found on the VA website
  • For inquiries, please call 1-888-GIBILL-1
• Copy of the certificate of eligibility
  • This will come in response to the application from the VA.

If you are new to Caltech and have received VA educational benefits at another school, you must complete and sign the appropriate form below and return it to the Registrar's Office.

Required Forms

• VA REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF PROGRAM OR PLACE OF TRAINING (VA 22-1995) For applicants under VA programs: Chapter 30, 32, 33, 1606 and 1607. (eligible veterans)
• VA REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF PROGRAM OR PLACE OF TRAINING (VA 22-5495) For applicants under VA program: Chapter 35 (eligible dependents of veterans)

Send questions or comments to regis@caltech.edu.

• CHAPTER 30 Montgomery GI Bill ® for Active Duty
• CHAPTER 31 Voc Rehab
• CHAPTER 32 VEAP (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program)
• CHAPTER 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill ®
• CHAPTER 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
• CHAPTER 1606 Montgomery GI Bill ® for Selected Reserve
• CHAPTER 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

CHAPTER 30 Montgomery GI Bill ® for Active Duty

The Montgomery GI Bill ® program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses but must be pre-approved by the Veterans Administration. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty.

CHAPTER 31 Voc Rehab

A veteran of World War II or thereafter who has a service-connected disability (20% or higher) which entitles them to VA disability compensation and who is in need of vocational rehabilitation because their disability creates an employment handicap, may be eligible for Chapter 31 benefits. Vocational rehabilitation may be provided for up to 48 months, and an eligible veteran now generally has 12 years from discharge or release from active duty in which to use these benefits. Disabled veterans are encouraged to contact the regional VA office in their area to obtain detailed information and to request VA form #28-1900, Disabled Veteran's Application for Vocational Rehabilitation.

CHAPTER 32 VEAP (Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program)

VEAP is available for veterans who first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985, and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in this education benefit program. The contributions were matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the government. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

CHAPTER 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill ®

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 ® .

For more information, please visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

CHAPTER 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program

The sons, daughters, spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible for educational assistance if the veteran died while on active duty, died after release or discharge from active duty or a service-connected disability (80%-100%), became permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability, died while a service-connected disability was rated permanent and total, or has been listed as missing in action, captured, detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power for more than 90 days. Eligible persons are entitled to 45 months of educational assistance and are paid benefits on the same basis as a veteran with no dependents.

CHAPTER 1606 or 1607 Montgomery GI Bill ® for Selected Reserve

Basic eligibility exists for a person who (after June 30, 1985) enlists, reenlists or extends an enlistment in the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. An eligible reservist is entitled to a maximum of educational assistance based upon full-time training (or the equivalent based upon three-quarter or half-time training.)

CHAPTER 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)1607

REAP was established as part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This new program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Title 38 US Code 3679, this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. Caltech will not:

• Prevent the student's enrollment
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding (if covered 100% by VA funding)
• Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students are required to produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class.

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.