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VA Form 22-1990: Applying for GI Bill Education Benefits

Updated: 6 days ago

VA Form 22-1990 is the Application for VA Education Benefits — the primary form used to apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607), and the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32). This guide walks through what 22-1990 is, who uses it, how to choose the right chapter, how to complete each section, and what happens after you submit.


Not sure which GI Bill chapter to elect? The Military Benefits Assistant is a guided interview that helps you compare Post-9/11, Montgomery, and other VA education benefits. Try the Military Benefits Assistant →

What VA Form 22-1990 is


22-1990 is the single application that covers most VA-administered education benefits for the veteran themselves — separate forms exist for dependents (22-5490 for Chapter 35) and for changes after initial enrollment (22-1995). The form establishes your eligibility, lets you elect a specific chapter if you're eligible for multiple, and triggers the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) that schools require before enrolling you on GI Bill funding.


Use it when you're applying for the first time. For program changes or school transfers, use VA Form 22-1995 instead.


Who uses 22-1990 (and who doesn't)


Veterans and active-duty service members applying for the first time use 22-1990. Specific use cases:


  • Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) — for veterans with active service after September 10, 2001

  • Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) — for those who opted in at enlistment

  • Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) — for current Reserve and Guard members

  • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607) — for reservists called up for extended active service after September 11, 2001

  • Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32) — for pre-1985 active duty enrollees who paid into VEAP


Dependents applying under Chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance) use VA Form 22-5490 instead. VR&E (Chapter 31) applicants use VA Form 28-1900 — see VR&E (Chapter 31) guide.


Which chapter to elect


If you qualify for more than one chapter, you typically elect Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) — it's the most generous for most modern veterans. Critical: the election is generally irrevocable. Before electing, consider:


  • Post-9/11 (Chapter 33): Tuition paid directly to the school (capped at in-state public rate; private/foreign capped at the published annual amount), monthly housing allowance, books-and-supplies stipend, and Yellow Ribbon Program at participating schools.

  • Montgomery (Chapter 30): Flat-rate monthly payment (about $2,358/month for full-time in 2026). Lower total benefit for most undergrad programs but no tuition cap — you receive the money directly and pay your own tuition.

  • MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606): Lower flat-rate monthly payment (~$483/month for full-time in 2026), available while you remain in the Selected Reserve. Loses eligibility if you leave the Reserve.

  • REAP (Chapter 1607): Closed to new applicants in 2019, but veterans with eligibility before that may still have benefits to use.


Once you elect Chapter 33, you cannot generally go back to Chapter 30 — and Chapter 30 has a $1,200 contribution that's refunded if you complete your service obligation but is NOT refunded if you elect Chapter 33 over it. Confirm the math with a VSO before electing.


Section-by-section walkthrough


Part I — Personal Information.


Full name, SSN, DOB, sex, gender, contact info, and direct-deposit information for the housing allowance and books stipend (Chapter 33) or monthly payments (Chapter 30, 1606).


Part II — Education or Training Information.


School name, address, type of program (degree, certificate, vocational, OJT, apprenticeship, flight training, etc.), expected start date, and whether you'll attend full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, or less.


Part III — Education History.


Prior college credit, prior military training (joint services transcripts), and any other credit-earning experiences. This helps the school's certifying official transfer credit.


Part IV — Military Service.


Active-duty service dates, branch, character of separation. Pull from DD-214(s). Reserve and Guard service goes here too.


Part V — Benefit Election.


This is where you choose the chapter — Post-9/11 (Chapter 33), Montgomery (Chapter 30), MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606), or VEAP (Chapter 32). For Chapter 33, you can also elect to give up other GI Bill eligibility you might have.


Part VI — Direct Deposit Information.


Bank routing and account number for monthly payments.


Part VII — Signature.


Sworn under penalty of perjury. Sign and date.


How to file


  • Online via VA.gov — Fastest path. Login.gov, ID.me, or DS Logon authentication. Submission is instant; you can track status on VA.gov.

  • By mail — Download from va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1990/, complete, mail to the Regional Processing Office for your state (listed on the form).

  • Through the school's Veterans Affairs office — Most schools have a Veterans Affairs certifying official who can help you complete and submit the application alongside your enrollment paperwork.


After you file


Standard timeline:


  1. Receipt confirmation: 1–3 business days for online filings, 2–4 weeks for mail.

  2. Eligibility determination and Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issuance: 30 days average. Faster if you've previously used VA benefits.

  3. COE mailed to you. Provide a copy to your school's Veterans Affairs office.

  4. School submits enrollment certification to VA each term.

  5. VA pays the school directly (Chapter 33) and pays you the monthly housing allowance, books stipend, or monthly check (Chapter 30/1606).


Common mistakes


  • Electing the wrong chapter. The election is generally irrevocable. Talk to a VSO before submitting.

  • Filing before you have a school. Filing is allowed but the COE doesn't help you until you have an enrollment to apply it to. Wait until you know where you're going if you have a choice.

  • Mismatched personal info. Names, DOBs, and SSNs must match VA records.

  • Forgetting Yellow Ribbon. Private and out-of-state schools above the Chapter 33 cap may participate in Yellow Ribbon, which covers the gap. Check with the school's VA office.

  • Missing the BAH zip-code rule. Chapter 33 monthly housing allowance is based on the school's zip code, not where you live. Online-only programs receive a reduced rate.


Related guides



Sources



This page is reviewed quarterly. Last reviewed: May 2026. Spotted an error or know the rules have changed? Email info@militarybenefitsassistant.com — we update fast.

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