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    Veterans Education

    Your Keystone to G.I. Bill® Benefits

    Veterans, Dependents, Selected Reservists, and National Guard Members

    State Approving Agency

    The State Approving Agency was established in 1944 when the G.I. Bill® of Rights was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roos­evelt. Congress recognized that each state has the right and responsibility for the education and training of its residents. The Pennsylvania State Approving Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), together with the federal government manages veter­ans’ education benefits.

    PDE’s role is to approve and supervise the education and training programs available to eligible veterans, dependents, National Guard members, and reservists.

    PDE must specifically approve each educa­tion or training program where a veteran or eligible person wishes to use G.I. Bill® benefits.

    Additional funding

    The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assis­tance Agency State Grant Program is available for qualified veterans. All veterans are consid­ered without regard to the financial status of their parents.

    The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Education­al Assistance Program can provide up to 100 percent of tuition charged at one of Pennsyl­vania’s 14 state system of higher education in­stitutions or one of the 14 community colleges in the Commonwealth. Call 1.800.692.7392 or visit the Web site at www.pheaa.org for more information on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency state grant and Educational Assistance Program.

    These programs along with other financial aid may be combined with your G.I. Bill® for a total education package. 

    1. 1

      Step 1

      Determine your eligibility—apply online at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill or contact the U.S. Department of Vet­erans Affairs (VA) at 1.888-442-4551 to obtain the necessary application. 

    2. 2

      Step 2

      Decide which program you wish to enter and verify that it is approved with PDE. 

    3. 3

      Step 3

      Contact your educational institution or training establishment for further processing. 

    4. 4

      Step 4

      If you have any questions contact PDE.

    G.I. Bill® benefits can be used at:

    Colleges and universities
    Undergraduate, graduate, certificates, teacher certifications, preparatory programs (Scholastic Aptitude Test, Graduate Record Examination, engineer­ing review), etc.

    Business, occupation, or trade schools
    Certificates, correspondence, Certified Public Accountant review, diplomas, police training, specialized degrees, etc.

    Cosmetology and barber schools
    Barber, cosmetician, cosmetology teacher, manicurist, etc.

    Hospitals
    Nursing, paramedic, radiology, residencies, etc.

    Career and technology centers and high schools
    High school diplomas (eligible depen­dents), occupational diplomas (auto mechanic, carpentry, practical nursing, truck driving, etc.)

    Flight schools
    Certified flight instructors, commercial pilot, instrument rating, etc.

    On-the-job training and apprenticeship training
    Carpenter, cook, corrections officer, elec­trician, machinist, painter, welder, etc.

    Licensing and certification test organizations
    Computer certifications test, occupa­tional licensing tests, etc.

    Who to contact for assistance

    Contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with questions concerning eligi­bility and benefits at:

    Veterans Affairs Regional Office
    P.O. Box 21
    Buffalo, NY 14240-0021
    1-888-442-4551 | www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

    Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education with questions concerning program approval at:

    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    Division of Veterans and Military
    Forum Building
    607 South Drive
    Harrisburg, PA  17120
    717-787-2414 | RA-VetED@pa.gov

    Regional Offices

    301 Fifth Avenue
    Suite 204
    Pittsburgh, PA 15222
    412-565-5364 

    GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs(VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.