There are seven basic areas that these programs fall into:

1. Education
2. Vocational rehabilitation
3. Home loans
4. Healthcare
5. Disability compensation
6. Life insurance
7. Burial

Education

As you prepare for a new career, you may decide to improve your outlook by pursuing additional education. The most well known VA education program is the Montgomery GI Bill, or MGIB, which provides tuition assistance. There are several variables that affect eligibility, but the basic requirements are:

• You must have enrolled in the program during your service and paid in $1,200, which is typically deducted at rate of $100 per month for 12 months.
• You must have served three years of continuous duty to use the benefits after separation.
• You must have been discharged honorably.
• You must have obtained your high school diploma or equivalency certificate before applying for benefits.

You are normally entitled to 36 months of benefits, which must be used within ten years of your separation from the military. The amount paid depends upon your enrollment status and the type of educational program for which you are using the benefits. These include:

• An undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university.
• Business, technical, or trade school.
• An apprenticeship or on-the-job-training (OJT) program offered by a company or union.
• A correspondence course.
• Flight training (under certain circumstances).

In addition to the regular benefits, you may choose apply for the VA's Work-Study Program. This is not a well-known program and is usually administered through the VA office on campus. Typically, you will work for the VA office on campus, or at an outside VA facility. Enrollees must be attending an academic program at least at a three-quarter rate. The VA considers enrollment in 12 units as full-time attendance at an institution with two semesters per calendar year.

If you are eligible and are considering using your benefits, you should contact your Education Services Officer or the VA for more information.

Vocational Rehabilitation

This program is designed to assist disabled veterans pursuing an education. You may be eligible if you have a service-related disability rated at 10% or more, as well as an employment handicap. Essentially this means that you were permanently injured in some way while a military member, and the nature of the injury is such that you can no longer perform the type of work for which you have trained.

Services which may be provided by the VA as part of the program include:

• Education or training to qualify for a new career.
• Educational, vocational, or personal counseling.
• Tuition assistance.
• Reader or sign-language interpreter service.
• Medical treatment, prosthetic aids, or other special equipment necessary for you to complete the training.

This program is very attractive, and as one might expect, it can be more difficult to get approval. Be prepared for a lengthy qualification process, as the VA carefully weighs all applicants to ensure that funds and assistance are provided to those that need it the most. If you think you may qualify for the program, the first step is to establish your VA disability rating. VA disability is covered under the compensation section.

Home Loans

Now that you are leaving the military, with its frequent transfers that have likely prevented you from owning a home, the VA can help put one within reach for you. This program has come a long way in recent years, and it differs from the conventional home loan process.

The VA does not loan money directly; instead, they guaranty the lender against loss if payments are not made. The intent is to encourage lenders to offer the veteran a home loan with better terms than he or she might otherwise merit. These loans can be used to purchase or build a home, finance improvements, or refinance a home you already own.

Some of the VA home loan benefits include:

• No down payment in most cases.
• Loan maximum may be up to 100% of the purchase price.
• No monthly mortgage insurance premium to pay.
• Limitations on the closing costs you have to pay.
• A free appraisal of the property value.
• No early payment penalty.

Moreover, in the event of sale, your loan may be assumable (subject to VA approval).

Healthcare

Due to the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, the VA established a medical benefits package that provides a standard health plan. You must meet certain eligibility requirements and be enrolled in the program to receive healthcare through the VA. Call your nearest VA regional office (find it by calling 1-800-827-1000) to determine whether you are eligible.

Disability Compensation

The VA pays compensation for disabilities incurred in or aggravated by military service. Entitlement is established from your date of separation if you file a claim within one year. The process requires an examination at a VA facility to evaluate your service-connected conditions, after which you may be given a "rating" based upon the extent of your disability. Your rating is given as a percentage value, and your compensation is based upon it.

For example, if you are given a disability rating of 10%, you will be entitled to monthly compensation of $106. A rating of 20% would entitle you to $205 per month, and so on; the ratings increase by ten percentage points up to 100%, depending on the severity of your disability. At ratings of 30% and above, the compensation rate depends upon your marital status and the number of your dependents.

Life Insurance

The VA life insurance program was created to provide insurance to military members and veterans who may have a difficult time finding insurance from private companies because of a service-related disability.

There are four types of life insurance policies issued through the VA. The first is the one most military members are familiar with, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI). This is the insurance offered to active-duty members and certain reservists. In 2001 the program was extended to cover spouse and children.

If you have full SGLI coverage at the time of separation, you can convert it to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). If you decide to enroll, you must do so within 120 days of your separation. The premiums differ from SGLI, as they are based on age in addition to the amount of coverage.

Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) is for veterans with a VA disability rating of 0% or higher. You must apply within two years of the date when your disability rating was established. The premiums for this insurance are based upon what a healthy individual would have been charged in 1951 when the program started, making them very low. For 100% disabled vets the premiums are waived entirely.

Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) is intended to provide financial protection for veterans' home mortgages in the event of a death. However, it is only issued to severely disabled veterans who receive grants for specially adapted housing because their mobility is significantly impaired.

Burial

Servicemembers, veterans with anything other than dishonorable discharges, un-remarried spouses of eligible veterans, and minor children are entitled to a gravesite in any of 120 national cemeteries with available space, including opening and closing of the grave and perpetual care. Military members are entitled to a headstone or marker, regardless of where they are buried. Spouse and minor children are entitled only if buried in a national cemetery.In addition, a military member is entitled to a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate.

These benefits are provided at no cost to the surviving family members. The surviving family members may also be entitled to monetary compensation in the form of a burial allowance, providing the deceased military member met certain criteria. Gravesites cannot be reserved in advance.

Keep in mind that veteran benefits change, quite often in conjunction with changing political climates, as these issues will get more attention from your representatives seeking your appeal. Be proactive! These are your resources, and you are entitled to them. For the most recent benefits information and to find the nearest VA regional office, call 1-800-827-1000.