A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Achieving the Goals--Goal 5- First in the World in Math and Science Technology Resources - November 1996

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Educational Assistance Programs

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of educational assistance programs for veterans, servicepersons, eligible dependents and members of the Selected Reserve. The best known program is the Montgomery GI Bill, of which there are two distinct versions. The first is the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, which provides benefits for those who have been discharged from service (veterans) and those who are still on active duty (servicepersons). The other version is the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, which provides similar benefits to active and non-active reserve personnel. Another significant program, although much smaller in terms of overall participants, is the Dependents' Educational Assistance program. This program provides education benefits for spouses, surviving spouses and children.

Eligible individuals may pursue a wide variety of training opportunities, including undergraduate and graduate degree programs at colleges and universities. Other types of training such as cooperative training, correspondence courses, vocational-technical training and apprenticeship/on-job training are also available.

Another important benefit available to veterans pursuing training at the three-quarter or full-time rate is the work-study program. This program allows veterans to perform work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in return for an hourly wage. Payments are at the federal minimum wage or the veteran's state minimum wage, whichever is greater.

All of these programs may involve utilization, instruction, and training in education technology.

Celia P. Dollarhide
Director, Education Service (22)
VA Central Office
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 273-7132
e-mail: vaedusvc@patriot.net

VAONLINE Education Payment Inquiry Pilot

VAONLINE is an electronic information system. Veterans, school officials and veterans service organizations in New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Texas, through the use of personal computers, can enter education payment inquiries and send them directly to the Buffalo Regional Processing Office. Thirteen more states are scheduled to have access to this service in September of November 1996. Access is by PC and Modem at 1-800-871-8387 or Internet at vaonline.va.gov.

Celia P. Dollarhide
Director, Education Service (22)
VA Central Office
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 273-7132
e-mail: vaedusvc@patriot.net
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