Welcome to the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education Web site

About GI Bill Benefits

CSAAVE encourages each prospective student to first consider their career path, whether it is a pathway they are already in and want to enhance their skills or promotion options or desire an entirely new career path. Is a college degree necessary for everyone? No, but the overwhelming evidence is that it is very beneficial, particularly for increasing employability and gaining a higher salary. There are several online resources to translate military skills to civilian jobs as well as web sites that provide the training and education needed for specific occupations and career fields that can be used by dependents that have not been in the military. Two very good web sites are available at Military.com and LaborMarketInfo. Some of the web sites have advertisements from various education providers. Before considering these institutions please take time to read the following paragraph.

The benefits provided by the G.I. Bill are finite and the funding you receive will most likely need to be leveraged by other sources. Additional funding, such as Federal Student Financial Aid, is usually paid through the school's Financial Aid office. When considering the education or training you will need to achieve your goals, it is important to consider the additional financial aid resources available the school can offer. Institutions that predominately propose private loans should be viewed with extreme caution as these loans typically include higher interests rates than those offered by the Federal Government. Another important question to consider is how much do you want to pay for your education or training. In other words, is it better for you to use your G.I. Bill benefits to take classes at your local community college at a cost of $20 per credit (and credit earned most likely transferable) or take the same courses online at a cost of $250 per credit (and credits earned may not be transferable)? These are just some of the decisions you will need to make when considering your options.

The U.S. Veteran's administration and CSAAVE provide veterans, reservists, and the dependants of veteran's access to educational benefits. There are four primary federally sponsored education benefit programs:

  • The Montgomery GI Bill -- Active Duty (Chapter 30) provides up to 36 months of education benefits on the basis of one month of active duty for one month of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree pursuit by either residence instruction or distance education. Residence instruction or training may also be taken for non-degree diploma or certificate programs, advanced flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses as well as tutorial services may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. Rare exceptions to the 10-year rule are based on an individual's circumstances.
  • The Montgomery GI Bill -- Selected Reserve program, also referred to as Chapter 1606, may be available if you are a member of the Selected Reserve for at least six years. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree pursuit by either residence instruction or distance education. Residence instruction or training may be taken for non-degree diploma or certificate programs, advanced flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses as well as tutorial services may be approved under certain circumstances. This benefit generally terminates 14 years from the date of enlistment in the reserve.
  • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), also called Chapter 1607, was established as a 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 up 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.
  • Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA), or Chapter 35, is a program for the spouses and survivors of veterans that were detained (POW/MIA), deceased, or disabled (100% and permanent) due to service-connected cause are eligible for MGIB benefits. The schools and programs approved for the other chapters of the MGIB are approved under this provision. When eligible dependents reach the age of 18 (thereby losing dependent support) they may collect the MGIB to finish high school. Five months of high school benefits may be used that are not charged to the post-secondary eligibility. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. This benefit expires at the dependent's 26th birthday.
  • Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), or Chapter 32, is available if you entered active duty for the first time between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the federal government. This benefit may be used for a degree by residence or correspondence training. Certificate and diploma programs, flight training, and apprenticeship/on-the-job training may be taken by residence training only. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.

If you are eligible under Chapter 30, Chapter 35 or Chapter 1606 the benefit rates you can receive can be accessed at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/rates.htm. Basic rates can vary. Applying for education benefits can be accomplished by completing an online application or by printing forms out and mailing them to the Department of Veteran Affairs Muskogee Regional Processing Office at 125 South Main Street, Muskogee, OK 74401. Benefits for licensing and certification test reimbursements must also be sent to the Department of Veteran Affairs Muskogee Regional Processing Office. The necessary forms for educational benefits are as follows:

If you don't have the capability to print out the form or apply online, you can call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to have a form mailed to you. You may also receive an application form at the school or training establishment you wish to attend. The VA Certifying official at the school (usually located in the Registrar's or Financial Aid office) should have the forms available, can assist you in filling them out, and will submit them to VA.