Veterans & Military Personnel

Veterans Education Benefits - GI Bill®

The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) makes all determinations of a student’s eligibility for education benefits. Individuals applying for GI Bill® benefits should allow a minimum of 6-8 weeks after submitting application for benefits and all supporting documents to the DVA before receiving notification of eligibility.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

The school must certify your enrollment each semester before benefit payments are released. To that end, we ask students to certify on STARS AFTER they've registered for classes. Students receiving Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty), Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve Program) benefits must verify their enrollment the last day of each month (or after) with the DVA by calling (877) 823-2378 or  http://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do.

In order to utilize Federal VA education benefits, the first step is to apply online. Once there, information is available to make an informed decision on which GI Bill chapter(s) you may be eligible for and documents needed for your application. Detailed information can be found on the GI Bill website with this chapter comparison chart, but following are brief descriptions regarding the available GI Bill chapters:

If you have further questions or concerns regarding your benefits, please contact veteransresources@wiu.edu.

Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® (Active Duty)

Educational assistance is available to individuals who have an honorable discharge and meet additional eligibility criteria as determined by the DVA. This program provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. Generally, benefit entitlement ends 10 years following the release from active duty. Effective October 1, 2024, the basic monthly rates for institutional training (for those completing an enlistment of three years or more) are as follows:

Training Time Monthly Rates
Full time $2,438.00
¾ time $1,828.00
½ time $1,219.00
Less than ½ time more than ¼  $1,219.00
¼ time or less $609.50*

* Tuition and fees only - payment cannot exceed this amount.

Chapter 1606 Educational Assistance (Selected Reserve Program)

Educational assistance is available to individuals who are members of the Selected Reserve, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. This educational assistance is also available to members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

Reservists may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of educational benefits. Generally, benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of eligibility for the program. Effective October 1, 2024, the basic monthly rates for institutional training are as follows:

Training Time Monthly Rates
Full time $481.00
¾ time $360.00
½ time $240.00
Less than ½ time $120.25*

* Tuition and fees only - payment cannot exceed this amount.

Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill®

Education benefits may be available to eligible individuals to assist with tuition/fees, books/supplies and housing. To be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Chapter 33 program, applicants must have at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or must have been discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.

Individuals who may qualify for more than one education program may or may not want to enroll in the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Chapter 33 program until exhausting other program benefits. Prior to applying for Post-9/11 GI Bill® education benefits, each potential applicant is encouraged to complete a thorough benefit comparison of eligibility through each program because the decision to apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® is irrevocable.

Review additional information at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp. Department of Veterans Affairs representatives may be consulted to discuss benefit eligibility by telephoning (888) GI-BILL-1 or (888) 442-4551.

To apply for the program for the first time, individuals must complete and submit VA Form 22-1990, Application for Educational Benefits online at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/.

Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)

Educational assistance is available to eligible dependents of certain veterans. This program provides up to 45 months of educational benefits. Eligible dependents must complete the online Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance, VA Form 22-5490, which is available at https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/ . The basic monthly rate varies depending on the types of training. Effective October 1, 2024, the basic monthly rates for institutional training are as follows:

Training Time Monthly Rates
Full time $1,536.00
¾ time $1,214.00
½ time $890.00
Less than  ½ time more than ¼  $890.00
¼ time $384

Contact Information

Macomb Campus

Veterans Resource Center
Wright Residence, 333 N. Ward Street
Macomb, IL 61455

Phone: (309) 298-3505
Fax: (309) 298-3509
Email: VeteransResources@wiu.edu

Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM each weekday

Quad Cities Campus