Veteran Benefits
Student veterans and their dependents are eligible for a variety of VA benefits to help with school, textbooks, housing, and more. Check out the benefits available to you, then talk with one of our campus VA advisors. When you go to apply for your veteran benefits, you’ll know everything you’re eligible for.
The MVP Of VA Benefits
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) provides up to 36 months of assistance for school or job training. It can also help cover housing and textbook expenses. Veterans, service members, survivors, and dependents can be eligible for this benefit. Members of the Reserves who lost their Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) benefits may also qualify for this program.
Students using this benefit must verify their enrollment to the VA once per month, on the last day of the month.
VA Benefits for Family
The DEA program is for survivors or dependents of service members who have died, been captured, are missing, or who have a disability. The benefit can be used toward education or job training.
Students using this benefit must verify their enrollment to the VA once per month, on the last day of the month.
The DEA program is for survivors or dependents of service members who have died, been captured, are missing, or who have a disability. The benefit can be used toward education or job training.
Students using this benefit must verify their enrollment to the VA once per month, on the last day of the month.
The Fry Scholarship is for children or spouses of service members who died in the line of duty. The scholarship offers up to 36 months of financial assistance for tuition, books, and housing.
In some cases, your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits can be transferred to a dependant, such as a spouse or child. Service members on active duty or in the Selective Reserve may apply for the transfer if they meet all of the requirements. The Department of Defense makes Transfer of Entitlement decisions.
Understanding Your Housing Benefits
A housing allowance is provided through the Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits. The allowance is based on multiple factors, including campus location and time spent on active duty. You can also find out more about determining your housing rate through the VA’s website.
Rate of Pursuit and Housing Benefits
To qualify for a housing allowance, you must have a rate of pursuit of more than 50%. This means you must be enrolled more than half time.
Rate of pursuit is found by dividing the number of credits enrolled by the number of credits considered full time enrollment. That number is rounded to the nearest tenth.
For example, if 12 credits is considered full time, you must be enrolled in at least seven credits to qualify. With seven credits, your rate of pursuit would be 58%.
Distance Learning Housing Benefits
Those enrolled in distance learning can still receive a housing allowance. These benefits will equal 50% of the national average of all Basic Allowance for Housing. Rates will be multiplied by your rate of pursuit and rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.
Rural Area Relocation Benefits
The rural area benefit is a one-time payment of $500, issued to students who relocate from a highly rural area in order to attend an educational institution. To qualify, the rural area must be a county with six people or fewer per square mile and either:
- You travel more than 500 miles to relocate or
- You travel by air to relocate, if no land-based transportation is possible.
Contact Us About Your VA Benefits
Campus VA Contacts
Campus VA Email: veterans@sjcd.edu
Central Campus: C-27.1400
281-998-6150 ext. 1032
North Campus: N-8.117
281-998-6150 ext. 7384
South Campus: S-8.2066
281-998-6150 ext. 4672
VA Contacts
Education Benefits: 1-888-442-4551
Monthly Enrollment Verification: 1-877-823-2378
Other VA Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
Direct Deposit Enrollment: 1-877-838-2778
