Chapter 32 – Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)

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Chapter 32 – Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)

Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP) is available only to veterans who elected to make VEAP contributions from their military pay. Read more about the VEAP program here.
Photo credit: Esther Tuttle. A white woman, in profile, stands wearing a black graduation cap and gown

What is the Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP)?

The Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP) is a program that allows active members to put money aside for their education and use it after their service. Under this program, the VA will match every $1 contributed with $2.

 

 

Who qualifies?

VEAP is available only to veterans who elected to make VEAP contributions from their military pay.

 

To qualify, you must have:
 

  • Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985
     
  • Opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987
     
  • Voluntarily contributed from $25 to $2700
     
  • Completed your first period of service, AND
     
  • Been discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable

 

If you are currently on active duty and want to get VEAP benefits, you must have at least 3 months of contributions available.
 

 

How do I apply and is there more information?

Apply by filling out a VA Form 22-1990. If you are not on active duty, send copy 4 (Member Copy) of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If you are on active duty, your base Education Services Officer must approve your enrollment, and your Commanding Officer must verify your service.


If you have already started training, take your application and Member Copy of DD Form 214 to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999 Enrollment Certification (available only to school officials). Then send all the forms to the VA.
 

More on VEAP from the VA site