VA Educational Benefits

To establish eligibility for Veteran Affairs Educational benefits, students must submit an Application for VA Education Benefits and to the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students who have received benefits at another educational institution have to complete and submit a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form to the Department of Veteran Affairs to establish eligibility of benefits while attending Meharry Medical College.

Once the Department of Veteran Affairs has approved receipt of benefits, students must provide the Office of the Registrar with the Certificate of Eligibility in order for their enrollment verification to be processed. The VA Certifying officials within the Office of the Registrar who will assist you with this process are:

Jocelyn Cordell jcordell@mmc.edu
Stephanie Ricks sricks@mmc.edu

For additional information regarding eligibility, please contact the Department of Veteran Affairs at 1.800.827.1000 or visit their website.

Types of Educational Benefits
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.

Click here for additional information.

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30)
The MGIB 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. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.

Click here for additional information.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of 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. 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.

Click here for additional information.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607)
REAP 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 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.

Click here for additional information.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, Chapter 32)
VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985, and you 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 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.

Click here for additional information.

Chapter 35-Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course.

Click here for additional information.