GI Bill Pays for Testing Programs
School is about to start and while browsing the many school websites I noticed a number of future students and veterans asking the same question. Are college entrance exams covered by the GI Bill? The answer is yes. However, for a more complete answer check out this post from Military.com.
Most veterans are not aware that the GI Bill can be used to pay for college entrance exam preparation courses. Entrance exams, like the SAT, ACT and GRE are often required or used to gain admission to an institution of higher learning or graduate school. You can also take tests like the CLEP, AP, or DSST to get college credit for prior knowledge or experience.
Who Is Eligible?
Any veteran, service member, or military dependent who is eligible for the:
•Post-9/11 GI Bill
•Fry Scholarship
•Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
•Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
•Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)
•Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
•Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
•Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)
•Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)
may be eligible to pursue training in preparatory courses.
What Kind of Tests Can You Take?
The following tests are approved for reimbursement:
•SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
•LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
•GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
•GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
•AP (Advanced Placement Exam)
•CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)
•ACT (American College Testing Program)
•DAT (Dental Admissions Test)
•MAT (Miller Analogies Test)
•MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)
•OAT (Optometry Admissions Testing)
•PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test)
•TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
•DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
•ECE (Excelsior College Examinations)
•PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) testing
How Much Can You Be Reimbursed?
You may receive the VA-approved cost of the test up to $2,000 per test.
Although VA will reimburse a Veteran for required test fees, some fees connected to the testing process are not covered. The following test fees may be covered:
•Registration fees
•Fees for specialized tests
•Administrative fees
The following fees are not covered by VA:
•Fees to take pre-tests (such as Kaplan tests)
•Fees to receive scores quickly
•Other costs or fees for optional items which are not required to take an approved test
There is no limit to the number of tests you can take, however your GI Bill entitlement will be reduced based on the cost of the test.
You may be reimbursed for retaking a test that you didn't pass. You can also retake tests you passed if the test is required for re-certification or to retain a license you already have.
For the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The amount of entitlement reduced is proportionate to the cost of the test compared to a monthly entitlement charge rate. Your entitlement charged is rounded to the nearest non-zero whole month; this means even low-cost tests are charged one month of entitlement per test.
For all other GI Bill programs
The amount of entitlement reduced is proportionate for the cost of the test compared to your full-time monthly rate.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply:
•First apply (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp) for GI Bill benefits using the VA's Online Application .
•Complete a VA Form 22-0810
(http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-0810-ARE.pdf) (Application for Reimbursement of National Exam Fee).
School is about to start and while browsing the many school websites I noticed a number of future students and veterans asking the same question. Are college entrance exams covered by the GI Bill? The answer is yes. However, for a more complete answer check out this post from Military.com.
Most veterans are not aware that the GI Bill can be used to pay for college entrance exam preparation courses. Entrance exams, like the SAT, ACT and GRE are often required or used to gain admission to an institution of higher learning or graduate school. You can also take tests like the CLEP, AP, or DSST to get college credit for prior knowledge or experience.
Who Is Eligible?
Any veteran, service member, or military dependent who is eligible for the:
•Post-9/11 GI Bill
•Fry Scholarship
•Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
•Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
•Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)
•Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
•Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
•Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)
•Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)
may be eligible to pursue training in preparatory courses.
What Kind of Tests Can You Take?
The following tests are approved for reimbursement:
•SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
•LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
•GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
•GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
•AP (Advanced Placement Exam)
•CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)
•ACT (American College Testing Program)
•DAT (Dental Admissions Test)
•MAT (Miller Analogies Test)
•MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)
•OAT (Optometry Admissions Testing)
•PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test)
•TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
•DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
•ECE (Excelsior College Examinations)
•PLA (Prior Learning Assessment) testing
How Much Can You Be Reimbursed?
You may receive the VA-approved cost of the test up to $2,000 per test.
Although VA will reimburse a Veteran for required test fees, some fees connected to the testing process are not covered. The following test fees may be covered:
•Registration fees
•Fees for specialized tests
•Administrative fees
The following fees are not covered by VA:
•Fees to take pre-tests (such as Kaplan tests)
•Fees to receive scores quickly
•Other costs or fees for optional items which are not required to take an approved test
There is no limit to the number of tests you can take, however your GI Bill entitlement will be reduced based on the cost of the test.
You may be reimbursed for retaking a test that you didn't pass. You can also retake tests you passed if the test is required for re-certification or to retain a license you already have.
For the Post-9/11 GI Bill
The amount of entitlement reduced is proportionate to the cost of the test compared to a monthly entitlement charge rate. Your entitlement charged is rounded to the nearest non-zero whole month; this means even low-cost tests are charged one month of entitlement per test.
For all other GI Bill programs
The amount of entitlement reduced is proportionate for the cost of the test compared to your full-time monthly rate.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply:
•First apply (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp) for GI Bill benefits using the VA's Online Application .
•Complete a VA Form 22-0810
(http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-22-0810-ARE.pdf) (Application for Reimbursement of National Exam Fee).