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/
Walk it box by box
Fill it out with your information
Open the official VA form, then work down the boxes below. Each one is pre-filled from what you have already entered in Claim Recon and explained in plain language with the wording a VA rater expects. Review and edit every answer, then export your worksheet and copy it onto the official form. We never fill out or submit anything for you.
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.