Veteran's Benefits

Veterans’ Educational Benefits — Federal

To qualify for monthly educational benefits through Veterans Affairs, a veteran must be enrolled in an approved associate degree or technical diploma program. The Wisconsin Educational Approval Board approves most programs of study at WITC for veterans’ benefits. Veterans have 10 years from their date of discharge to use their federal educational benefits. Benefits are payable for 36 months while enrolled in school. It is the responsibility of the student receiving veterans’ educational benefits to notify the campus Financial Aid Advisor of any changes in enrollment status or withdrawal.

How to apply for Federal VA Education Benefits at WITC

You must be accepted or currently enrolled in a VA approved program. The WITC catalog lists approved programs of study. If you are applying for Federal VA Educational Benefits for the first time, you are encouraged to contact the campus Financial Aid Advisor at WITC six to eight weeks prior to the beginning of a new semester.

Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30)

Provides education benefits for individuals entering military service after June 30, 1985. Rates of monthly benefit are determined by the service-person's previous period of enlistment. Basic entitlement provides assistance for 36 months based on 3 years of continuous active duty.

Montgomery G.I. Bill - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

For members of the Selected Reserve, including National Guard who, after June 30, 1985, enlist, reenlist, or extend an enlistment for a period of 6 years or more. Non-contributory monthly benefit amounts up to $197.50 depend upon full- or part-time student status. An eligible reservist is entitled up to a maximum of 36 months of educational assistance.

Please visit the Department of Affairs GI Bill website for detailed information regarding Federal GI Bill Education Benefits.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP/Chapter 1607)

Provides educational assistance to members of the reserve components - Selected Reserve (Sel Res) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) - who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.

Reserve Assistance Program

Provides educational assistance to members of the reserve components - Selected Reserve (Sel Res) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) - who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) 

The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) provides educational assistance allowance to qualifying spouses, surviving spouses, and children of certain veterans who died while on active duty or who are permanently and totally disabled due to their military service.

Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans (Chapter 31)

The veteran must have a disability or disabilities which VA has rated at least 20 percent
compensable. VA may authorize up to 48 months or more upon entering a training program. Full cost of tuition, books, fees, supplies and equipment is paid. For eligibility contact the Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or local County Veterans Service Officer.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits — State

There are a variety of State Veterans Affairs programs available. Determination of eligibility and obtainment of applications is done through the County Veterans Service Office.

The Wisconsin G.I. Bill

Effective for the Fall 2005 semester, the Wisconsin G.I. Bill provides a waiver (“remission”) of tuition for eligible veterans and their dependents for up to 8 full-time semesters or 128 credits at any University of Wisconsin System or Wisconsin Technical College System institution. Qualifying veterans receive a 100% remission.

A 100% remission is provided to the qualifying unremarried surviving spouse and children of a veteran who died in the line of duty, and to the spouse and children of a veteran with substantial service-connected disabilities (combined VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater). For qualifying spouses, the benefit must be used within 10 years of the date of death or the initial disability rating of 30% or greater. For qualifying children, the benefit is available from ages 17 through 25. For the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, the veteran must have entered service as a Wisconsin resident. The benefit recipient must reside in Wisconsin.

For additional information, eligibility criteria, instructions on how to apply for the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, and statutory citations for the program, see the WDVA B0105 information and application booklet or Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Wisconsin GI Bill (PDF).

Veterans Education (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant

The Veterans Education (VetEd) grant program provides a reimbursement grant based on a credit-bank system that is based on length of active duty military service to eligible veterans who have not yet been awarded a bachelor’s degree for the reimbursement of tuition and fees following successful course completion at an eligible UW, technical college, or approved private institution of higher learning.

Veterans may concurrently receive Chapter 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill (VA) benefits and VetEd for the same semester. However, individuals eligible for Wisconsin G.I. Bill benefits must apply for, and use those benefits in order to be eligible for VetEd reimbursement. VetEd reimbursement will be reduced to the extent that tuition and fees have already been paid by other grants, scholarships, and remissions provided for the payment of tuition and fees

WDVA Retraining Grant

This grant is available to qualified unemployed veterans who demonstrate financial need while being retrained for employment.

For more information on Wisconsin Veterans Benefits, please refer to the Wisconsin Division of Veterans Affairs website (http://dva.state.wi.us/Ben_education.asp).

Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Information

The Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant is a grant whereby an eligible guard member, upon satisfactory completion of course(s) at a qualifying school, can apply for a tuition reimbursement.  Reimbursement is based on 100% of the tuition charged at the student’s qualifying school or the maximum resident undergraduate tuition charged by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whichever is less.  The grant cannot pay for any fees, books or continuing education credits (CEUs).  The grant program reimburses up to eight semesters.  For additional information on this grant, please see http://dma.wi.gov.

Veterans’ Affairs Reporting

Student veterans will be placed on probation if their GPA for a term falls below a 2.0, but is at least a 1.0, or they do not successfully complete at least 2/3 (67%) of all credits attempted.  Students will be suspended if they receive a GPA of less than a 1.0 at the conclusion of any term, or if they are already on probation, earn a term GPA of less than a 2.0 or fail to complete at least 2/3 (67%) of all credits attempted. Once a student is suspended, the student’s name will be reported to Veterans Affairs for unsatisfactory progress. The reporting of unsatisfactory progress results in the immediate suspension of the affected student’s educational benefits pending administrative review by Veterans Affairs.