EDUCATIONVA program

Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, Chapter 32)

Education benefit for veterans who entered service between 1977 and mid-1985 and contributed to VEAP, with the government matching contributions 2-for-1. Usable for degree programs, vocational training, and apprenticeships. VA retired the standalone VEAP page; the link opens the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty overview, which covers VEAP-to-MGIB conversion options.

Available to veterans who entered service between 1/1/1977 and 6/30/1985 and contributed to VEAP

View on VA.gov

Step-by-step guide

What you get

VEAP has been closed to new enrollment since March 31, 1987. It still pays a monthly benefit, or refunds your money, if you entered service between 1977 and mid 1985 and put part of your pay into a VEAP account.

What VA looks for: Using the account for school or training

Entered service between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985First entered military service after December 31, 1976 and before July 1, 1985, with no Vietnam-era Chapter 34 rights, and a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
181 continuous days of active duty, or a disability dischargeAt least 181 continuous days on active duty, or a discharge for a service-connected disability. Those who first enlisted after September 7, 1980 or entered active duty after October 16, 1981 also needed 24 continuous months or the full period they were called for, unless discharged early for hardship, an early-out, or a disability.
Enrolled in VEAP before July 1, 1985, or during the 1986 to 1987 reopeningEnrollment closed to new participants after June 30, 1985 (with a short reopening from October 28, 1986 to March 31, 1987). Contributions came out of military pay each month, or as a lump sum, up to a set total, with a minimum of 12 months of participation. The amounts are in 38 CFR 21.5052. A member who entered service between November 30, 1980 and September 30, 1981 may have a VEAP account the service branch paid into without a pay deduction (called Section 903); item 9D on VA Form 22-1990 covers it too.
Within 10 years of the last discharge, or an extensionThe window ends 10 years after the last discharge from a period of 90 or more continuous days, or from any period that ended for a service-connected disability, a pre-existing medical condition, hardship, or a reduction in force. A veteran kept from training by a physical or mental disability can ask for an extension within one year of the window closing or the disability ending.

Source: 38 CFR 21.5040 (opens in new tab); VA Form 22-1990 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5054 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5052 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5041 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5042 (opens in new tab)

Which situation is yours?

Using the account for school or training
For a veteran whose 10-year window is still open, or who has an extension after a disability. VA pays a monthly benefit from the account for an approved program.
Source: 38 CFR 21.5040 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5041 (opens in new tab)
Getting your contributions back
For a veteran who left the program, or whose 10-year window has passed. VA refunds the contributions still in the account, less any overpayment debt.
1. Money still in the accountVA refunds the contributions not yet used for benefits. After the 10-year window closes, VA tells the veteran the unused amount and refunds it on request. If no request comes within one year of that notice, VA presumes it cannot find the veteran and moves the money to the Treasury under federal law.
Source: 38 CFR 21.5064 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5060 (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Documents for this benefit: what each is, what it shows VA, and how VA gets it
Document	What it shows	How VA gets it	Have it?
DD214 The discharge record. It shows the entry date, the length of active duty, and the character of discharge.	That service began in the VEAP years, ran long enough, and ended under the right conditions	VA will request this for you from the service department. Keep your copy in hand.	Yes
VEAP contribution record The record of what was taken from military pay or paid as a lump sum into the VEAP account, and what has already been paid out.	That you contributed, how much is left, and what a refund would be	VA holds the account. Keep any pay records or VA letters that show the contributions.	Yes
VA Form 22-1990 The application for VA education benefits. Item 9D names Chapter 32 (VEAP). Direct deposit is not offered for Chapter 32 payments.	That you are asking to draw the account for an approved program	Download VA Form 22-1990 from VA.gov, mark Chapter 32 in item 9D, and mail it.
A refund request to VA A written request for the contributions left in the account, sent when you choose to leave the program or after the 10-year window closes.	That you are leaving the program and want the money back	Send the request to VA; an accredited representative can help with the wording.

Your service record and contribution record go to VA. BeneVets does not ask for copies of anything.

Steps, in order

Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
Work out whether the 10-year window is open
Count 10 years from the last discharge that fits the rule. If the window has closed and a disability kept you from training, the extension request has a one-year limit.
Source: 38 CFR 21.5041 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5042 (opens in new tab)
Apply with VA Form 22-1990 to use the account
Mark Chapter 32 in item 9D. The claims rules for other education programs apply: VA tells you what it needs and gives you one year to answer.
Source: VA Form 22-1990 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5030 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.1031 (opens in new tab)
Ask for the refund instead
If the window has closed or you do not plan to train, ask VA in writing for the unused contributions. VA pays the refund less any overpayment debt.
Source: 38 CFR 21.5064 (opens in new tab)
Read the decision letter
The letter states the monthly amount and the months left, or the refund. If VA denies the claim, the letter lists your review options.
Source: VA.gov: after you apply for education benefits (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.1033 (opens in new tab)

Good to know

Closed to new enrollment

New enrollment closed after June 30, 1985, apart from a short reopening from October 28, 1986 to March 31, 1987 for members who could have enrolled on June 30, 1985. Most readers are checking an old account rather than a new benefit.

Source: 38 CFR 21.5054 (opens in new tab)

How the account pays

The government matched contributions 2 for 1. VA pays a monthly benefit from the account while the veteran is enrolled in and satisfactorily pursuing an approved program; the amount varies by account and can change month to month.

Source: 38 CFR 21.5070 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5131 (opens in new tab); VA Form 22-1990 (opens in new tab)

Some VEAP accounts converted to the Montgomery GI Bill

A member on active duty on October 9, 1996 with money left in a VEAP account who chose the Montgomery GI Bill before October 9, 1997 is in Montgomery GI Bill Category IV, not VEAP. A second window ran from November 1, 2000 to October 31, 2001 for members who were on active duty and in VEAP on October 9, 1996.

Source: VA.gov: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (opens in new tab); VA Form 22-1990 (opens in new tab)

One VA education benefit at a time

VEAP cannot be drawn in the same period as the Montgomery GI Bill, VR&E, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, DEA, or Selected Reserve benefits. Tutoring help is available under VEAP on the same terms as the other programs.

Source: 38 CFR 21.5022 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.5141 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 21.4236 (opens in new tab)

BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you