Types of Education Benefits

Ch 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill
If you have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after Sep 10, 2001, and are still on active duty, or if you are an honorably discharged Veteran or were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days, you may be eligible for this VA-administered program.  Eligible participants pursuing a VA approved training program may receive the following benefits at a percentage based on the length of active duty service:
         1.  Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid directly to the school).
         2.  Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as the primary school (paid directly to the service member or veteran).
         3.  yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year (paid directly to the service member or veteran).
Specific questions about eligibility for VA benefits should be addressed to the VA.  For additional information, see benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Montgomery GI Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available to those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.  There are two main programs:
         - Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) For active duty members who enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation.
         - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) For Reservists with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve who are actively drilling.

Ch 35: Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program
This program is for 1) dependents or spouses of veterans who have died or are totally and permanently disabled as the result of a service connected disability or died while evaluated as having a total or permanent disability, or 2) dependents or spouse of a person who is listed as a POW or MIA.

Ch 1606: Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve
This program is for active members of components of the Selected Reserve and National Guard.  Eligible participants require 1) enlistment or reenlistment in the selected reserve with an obligation to serve for a period of not less than six years following enlistment on or after July 1, 1985, 2) completion of secondary school diploma requirements, or 3) completion of initial date active training.

Ch 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005.  It is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the president or Congress.  This new program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001, either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Ch 31: Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
Veterans with a service connected disability may be eligible for Ch 31.  For more information, and to see if you are eligible, contact the Rapid City VA VR&E office at (605) 341-8165.

South Dakota Vet Free
Certain veterans are eligible to take undergraduate courses at a state supported university without the payment of tuition provided they are not eligible for educational payments under the GI Bill or any other federal educational program.  To qualify the veteran must:
         - have been discharged under honorable conditions
         - be a current resident of South Dakota and qualify for in-state tuition
         - meet one of the following criteria
         - served on active duty at any time between August 2, 1990 and a date TBD
         - received an Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, or other United States campaign or service medal for participation in combat operations against hostile forces outside the boundaries of the United States
         - has a service connected disability rated at 10% or more, disabling
For more information, visit the SD VA website

Free Tuition for Children of Veterans Who Die During Service
Children who are under the age of 25, are residents of South Dakota, and whose mother or father was killed in action died of other causes while on active duty, are eligible for free tuition at a state supported school, if the deceased parent was a bona-fide resident of this state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into active service.  For more information, visit the SD VA website

Free Tuition for Dependents of POW's and MIA's
Children and spouses of prisoners of war, or of persons listed as missing in action, are entitled to attend a state supported school without the payment of tuition or mandatory fees provided they are not eligible for equal or greater federal benefits.  For more information, visit the SD VA website

Reduced Tuition for South Dakota National Guard Members
Guard members who meet the requirements for admission, are eligible for a fifty percent reduction in tuition charges at any state supported school for undergraduate programs up to 128 credits and graduate programs up to 32 credits. The receipt of federal educational benefits does not affect eligibility for this program.  To qualify the guard member must:
         - Be a resident of this state and a member of the SD Army or Air Guard throughout each semester for which he or she applies for benefits
         - Have completed required active duty for training
         - Attend 90% of drills and training periods and maintain a satisfactory academic grade level
         - Provide proper notice to the institution at time of registration for the term in which benefits are sought.
For more information, contact your Guard's Education Office.

Free Tuition to Child or Spouse of South Dakota National Guard Member Disabled or Deceased in the Line of Duty
Free tuition to child or spouse of National Guard members disabled or deceased in line of duty--Administration.  Any resident of this state who is less than twenty-five years of age and whose parent has died or sustained a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from duty as a member of the South Dakota National Guard, while on state or federal active duty or any authorized training duty, is entitled to tuition without cost and is entitled to attend any course or courses of study in an state educational institution under the control and management of the Board of Regents.  The previous statement also applies to spouses of Guard Member who meet the same criteria.