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Common Veteran’s Benefits that Can Pay for College


We’re not experts in this area, but we’ve worked with a number of students who are eligible to receive their parent’s military education benefits through the programs listed below, and we’ve learned a few things. We encourage you to go to the links to learn more directly from the source. If you aren’t sure which programs your student may be eligible for, contact your local VA office to discuss your options. For an overview, read more here: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/


Bottom line, taking advantage of the best program you are eligible for may give your child free tuition at many colleges, not just your in-state public universities. Need help finding a great-fit college for your student? Contact us and we can get you started! 


Cal Vet College Fee Waiver

California Colleges Only 

Provides tuition and mandatory fee waivers for eligible California community colleges, California State Universities, and University of California campuses to spouses, children, and surviving spouses of veterans with a service-connected disability. Eligibility depends on the veteran's disability status and the dependent's relationship. To apply, you must contact your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) with supporting documents like birth certificates and proof of service-connected disability.


Post-911 Transferred GI Bill

Pays in-state tuition (with potential for paying in-state at out-of-state colleges) and a portion of private college tuition

The service member needs to request a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) through milConnect first. They must make this request while they’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. If the Defense Department approves the request,  can then apply to use the transferred benefits. If approved, you’ll be sent a Certificate of Eligibility that shows how many months of transferred benefits you can use, and how much time you have to use them.


You’re eligible for 100% of the full benefit if the Veteran or service member meets at least 1 of these requirements by the time you start using transferred benefits:

  • The Veteran or service member served on active duty for a total of at least 1,095 days (at least 36 months), OR

  • The Veteran or service member served on active duty and received a Purple Heart on or after Sept. 11, 2001, OR

  • The Veteran or service member served on active duty for at least 30 continuous days (without a break), and their military force discharged them because of a service-connected disability


If the Veteran or service member served less than 36 months, or does not meet the eligibility requirements for 100% of GI Bill benefits, you may be eligible for a percentage of benefits. 


The amounts listed are the maximum amounts they’ll pay this academic year (effective August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026). If you’re eligible for a percentage of the full benefit, multiply the amount by your percentage for the maximum they’ll pay.


  • Public institution of higher learning (like a state university or community college): We’ll pay the net tuition and mandatory fees. You may be able to get in-state tuition rates at a public school even if you haven’t lived in the state where the school is located.


    Learn more about in-state tuition rates

  • Private institution of higher learning: We’ll pay the net tuition and mandatory fees up to $29,920.95.


Yellow Ribbon

Pays in-state or out-of-state tuition and a portion (or sometimes all) of private college tuition at participating colleges and universities

The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. 


You may be eligible for this program if you meet these requirements:

  1. You must qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at the 100% benefit level

  2. And at least one of these must be true:

  3. You served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) and were honorably discharged, or

  4. You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or

  5. You served at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break) on or after September 11, 2001, and were discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability, or

  6. You’re an active-duty service member who has served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service), or

  7. You’re a spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who has served at least 36 months on active duty, or

  8. You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran, or

  9. You’re a Fry Scholar


Chapter 35 VA benefits 

Provide monthly payments toward higher education for qualifying dependents of disabled or deceased service members 

Each year, the VA sets new benefits rates for its DEA program. The rates vary depending on the type of education you seek, the program length, and whether you’re enrolled full- or part-time. For the 2025 academic year (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025), Chapter 35 benefits provide a monthly payment for eligible dependents of deceased or 100% disabled Veterans, with the full-time rate for higher education at $1,536.00 per month.  

 
 
 

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