Educational Assistance for Veterans

California’s Military and Veterans Code, in Division 4, Chapter 6, Article 2, deals with educational assistance as a state benefit for veterans. Section 981 provides that there is in state government an educational institution known as the California Veterans’ Educational Institute, which is under the management and control of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The purpose of the institute is to provide opportunities for veterans to continue their education.

Section 981.1 provides that any veteran who desires to continue his education may apply for admission to the institute and if, in the opinion of the department, the educational needs and desires of the veteran can be satisfactorily met, the department is required to  assume state wardship and supervision over the education of such veteran.

In addition, the department may provide for the education in educational institutions in this State, or in other states, or in other countries, when necessary or desirable for postgraduate or professional college courses. The department may provide educational counsel for students and assist them in securing admission to suitable institutions of learning in either public or private school field. 

Section 981.15 defines the phrase “suitable institutions of learning.” Section 981.2 allows the department, assuming funding is available, to provide an allowance of $100 for each month the student is in satisfactory and actual full-time attendance at an educational institution, and pursuing a course of study leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, or to a recognized degree, license, certificate, or diploma. The terms “full-time attendance” and “educational institution” are defined.

Section 981.3 prohibits the amount expended on account of any one veteran under this article from exceeding $1,200. Eligibility for benefits conferred under this article cannot be granted if either the student has not exhausted his or her rights to educational benefits afforded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or four years have elapsed from termination of educational benefits afforded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Section 981.4 requires the department to consider the application of veterans for admission to the institute in the order in which they are received. If the funds available are insufficient to meet the obligations which would arise from the guardianship of all worthy applicants, the department must assume wardship over the veterans as are most urgently in need of further education.

Section 981.5 authorizes the department to cooperate and confer with authorized agencies of the United States in carrying out the provisions of this article.

Section 981.6 prohibits any veteran who is receiving federal educational benefits from being eligible to receive the educational benefits provided by this article during the time that he is receiving federal educational benefits.

Section 981.8 requests the Office of the Adjutant General to annually make five specified items available to each member of the California National Guard, the State Guard, and the Naval Militia who does not have a baccalaureate degree. And, the Office is requested to provide assistance as necessary to help the members complete the forms made available to them.