VA Form 22-1990
Application for VA Education Benefits
You served and earned GI Bill benefits and are ready to use them for education or training.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Education & Training
- Estimated time
- 30-45 minutes.
- When to file
- Before starting your program, or as early as possible. Chapter 33 has a 15-year delimiting date from your last discharge. Chapter 30 has a 10-year limit.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1990/
Gather before you start
- ▸DD-214 (character of discharge and service dates)
- ▸Social Security number
- ▸Program/school you plan to attend (school VA codes)
- ▸Chapter preference: Post-9/11 (33), MGIB-AD (30), or Reserve GI Bill
- ▸MGIB contribution amount and months served if selecting Chapter 30
- ▸Kicker amounts if applicable (college fund, Army ROTC)
- ▸Transfer documentation if you were previously issued benefits under another chapter
Attach with the form
- ▸DD-214 (if not using online application which can verify automatically)
- ▸Statement of service or activation orders (for reservists)
Section I - Veteran Identification
Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, DOB, address, phone, emailPII
Your identifying information. Use a reliable email - VA sends benefit approval and certification notices electronically. Chapter 33 notices are time-sensitive (schools have submission deadlines).
(legal name, SSN, contact info)
Common mistakes
- ×Using a school email that may expire - use a personal email you will have indefinitely.
Section II - Benefit Election
Block 7Which GI Bill chapter are you electing?
Choose ONE: (1) CHAPTER 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) - best for most veterans; covers 100% tuition in-state for public schools, housing allowance (based on E-5 with dependents BAH), and $1,000/year book stipend; requires at least 90 days of active duty after 9/10/01. (2) CHAPTER 30 (MGIB-AD) - monthly stipend; requires $1,200 contribution; less generous than Ch33 for most. (3) CHAPTER 1606 or 1607 for reservists. Election is generally PERMANENT once Chapter 33 is elected - you cannot switch back.
e.g., Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill
Common mistakes
- ×Not knowing that electing Chapter 33 is generally permanent - if you later realize Chapter 30 would have been better, you typically cannot switch.
- ×Not asking about transferability before electing - Chapter 33 can be transferred to dependents while on active duty; Chapter 30 cannot.
- ×Veterans with certain Reserve/Guard service assuming they qualify for Chapter 33 - check your specific activation orders; some Reserve/Guard service does not qualify.
Authority
- 38 USC 3011 - Chapter 30 educational assistance basic entitlement.
- 38 USC 3311 - Chapter 33 educational assistance basic entitlement.
Section III - Military Service
Blocks 8-14Active duty dates, character of discharge, separation reason
Dates and character of discharge for each period of service. Chapter 33 requires at least 90 days of aggregate active duty after 9/10/2001. Percentage of maximum benefit is based on total service: 36+ months = 100%, 30-36 months = 90%, 24-30 months = 80%, etc.
(DD-214 service dates, character of discharge)
Common mistakes
- ×Not including all qualifying service periods - aggregate days count toward the percentage.
- ×Assuming a "General (Under Honorable Conditions)" discharge qualifies - it does for most programs but check specific program rules.
- ×Not knowing that active-duty period triggered by reserve activation for federal contingency operations counts for Chapter 33.
Authority
- 38 USC 3311 - Chapter 33 educational assistance basic entitlement.
Section IV - School/Program
Blocks 15-18Name, address, and VA facility code of the school or training program
List the school, college, university, trade school, or apprenticeship program you plan to attend. The school must be VA-approved. Include the VA facility code if you know it (schools can provide this). If you are not yet admitted, you can still apply - list your intended school.
e.g., Arizona State University, Tempe AZ; VA facility code: 31600
Common mistakes
- ×Applying to a school that is not VA-approved - check va.gov GI Bill comparison tool before enrolling.
- ×Not notifying VA if you change schools - you must file VA Form 22-1995 for a change of school.
Section V - Certification
Blocks 19-20Veteran signature and datePII
Sign and date. You can also apply online at va.gov/education/apply-for-education-benefits/application/1990/. Online applications are typically processed faster.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Not following up with the school's certifying official after approval - VA pays schools after the school submits enrollment certification; if the school does not certify, VA does not pay.
- ×Missing the school's VA enrollment certification deadline - typically before or early in each semester.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 21.4138 - Post-9/11 entitlement, payment rates, transferability.
- 38 USC 3011 - Chapter 30 educational assistance basic entitlement.
- 38 USC 3311 - Chapter 33 educational assistance basic entitlement.