VA Education Benefits
Education benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
M State is an approved Institute of Higher Learning for federal education benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Currently all associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs are deemed approved educational programs by the Minnesota State Approving Agency and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Students attending M State may apply for and receive these educational benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill .
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Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33 benefits)
Basic Eligibility: Individual who served on active duty on or after September 10, 2001, for at least 90 days; spouse/children may qualify through Transfer of Entitlement.
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Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
Basic Eligibility: Members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who are on active duty or have been separated from active duty with an honorable discharge.
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Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Basic Eligibility: Members of the reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard.
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VA education benefits for survivors and dependents (Chapter 35 benefits)
Basic Eligibility: Children or spouse of a veteran who is permanently and totally disabled from service-connected causes; children or spouse of a veteran who died in service or who died of service-connected causes; children or spouse of another qualifying veteran or serviceperson, such as one currently missing in action or captured in the line of duty.
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Veteran Readiness and Employment services (VR&E)
Basic Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% or service members with a memorandum rating of at least 20%. This is not specifically an education benefit, but an approved rehabilitation plan may include college/university courses which are paid for by the VR&E program.
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How to apply
- New to VA Education Benefits?
Students are encouraged to apply for VA education benefits online at www.vets.gov/education/apply/. Print or save the submission confirmation page at the end of the application process. M State can use this to start your benefits file.
Paper applications are also available from the School Certifying Official by emailing a request to veterans@minnesota.edu. For faster processing, you are encouraged to apply online.
*If you have already received a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA, bring a copy of it to the School Certifying Official.
Each semester you wish to use your benefits, complete a Veteran benefits sign-up form.
- Transferring VA Education Benefits to M State?
If you have received VA education benefits at another school and have remaining entitlement, transferring your benefits to M State is simple. Go to www.vets.gov/education/apply/ to update your records. Print or save the submission confirmation page at the end of the application process. M State can use this to start your benefits file.
Paper applications are also available. For faster processing, apply online.
Select the appropriate form below and submit it to the School Certifying Official:
- Service member/veteran continuing to use Chapter 30, 33, 1606, or 1607: VA Form 22-1995
- Spouse/dependent continuing to use Chapter 33 or 35: VA Form 22-5495
- Approved for and continuing to use Chapter 31: Your caseworker will provide an authorization directly to your college/university
To begin the process to access veteran’s benefits, complete the Veteran benefits sign-up form.
- Need Help Understanding Your VA Education Benefits?
Talk to a Benefits Counselor at 1.888.GIBILL1 (1.888.442.4551) if you have questions about your benefits eligibility, don’t know what benefit to apply for, or want to know if you have remaining entitlement.
- M State's VA School Certifying Officials
Michele Jenson
VA School Certifying Official & Associate Registrar
M State
1900 28th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56560
218.299.6593Angie Sieling
VA School Certifying Official & Associate Registrar
M State
900 Highway 34 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
218.846.3789You can also email veterans@minnesota.edu to reach M State’s VA School Certifying Officials.
- M State's Veteran Academic Advisor
John Hest, Academic Advisor
M State
1900 28th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56560
218.299.6844You can also email john.hest@minnesota.edu or schedule an appointment at https://bookings.minnesota.edu/john-hest.