The federal government, states and other sources provide education scholarships for disabled vets to attend a trade school, college or university. The benefit varies depending on the source and program requirements. The length of time the disabled veteran can attend school on the scholarship, and costs covered by the program, may vary for books, tuition, fees and other college-related expenses.
Although the common thought is that disabled veterans are eligible for VA education benefits, this may not always be the case. There are several factors that impact a disabled veteran's access to VA education assistance. Some dynamics include the discharge status of the veteran and the number of months since he was discharged before filing for benefits. The bottom line is that the disabled veteran may not be qualified for any VA educational benefits at all.
Many states offer educational scholarships for disabled vets. The University of Idaho sponsors the Operation Idaho Scholarship program for seriously injured veterans. Oregon offers a program for disabled National Guard vets with its Oregon National Guard Tuition Assistance Program. Nevada's program waives 100 percent tuition for its National Guard disabled vets. Along with state-run programs, there are a multitude of federal and other scholarships and programs for which disabled vets may qualify.
Programs between states may vary significantly. A number of states waive tuition only. Others waive tuition, fees and books for disabled vets. Some only allow a reduction for tuition costs, with a maximum out-of-pocket expense per credit. In some states, a disabled veteran with a baccalaureate degree is not qualified for any educational state benefit. Most state programs do not cover housing or living expenses. Federal and private scholarship programs also differ based on the specific program.
Due to the diverse program offerings, it is best to visit the source's website for specific application details. Each state or program should provide a web page with thorough details about the scholarship with specific instructions on how to apply. Visit your state's website to find out if a VA disability scholarship is available in your state, or call the admissions office at the university in which you plan to enroll. If you find a private scholarship in which you are interested, type the name into a search engine, go to that site and peruse through its application process for more specific directions.