Understanding Your Benefits
Learn about VA education benefits, GI Bill programs, military tuition assistance, and scholarships available to Veterans, Service Members, and military family members.
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Which Benefits Are Right For You?
CNM and the VRC proudly support Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, Selected Reservists, and their family members. A variety of education benefits, tuition assistance programs, and scholarships may be available to help you achieve your academic and career goals.
Select your status below to explore the benefits that may apply to you.
Benefits for Veterans
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill
Details
- For Active Duty members who paid $1,200 and completed the minimum service obligation.
- Only pays a monthly stipend at Chapter 30 rates.
- Tuition and fees are covered by the student or any Financial Aid.
- Must be used prior to applying for Chapter 33. Some exceptions apply.
For more information, please visit the VA's Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) webpage.
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill
Details
- For those who served a minimum of 90 days Active Duty or 30 days consecutively and received an Honorable Discharge or received a Medical Discharge from service.
- Pays a monthly housing stipend, book stipend, in-state tuition and required fees for certifiable courses based on the percentage of entitlement. See Chapter 33 rates and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to view this region's stipend rates.
For more information, please visit the VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) webpage.
Benefits for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities
Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment
Details
- For Veterans who received a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% that limits or prevents ability to work.
- Those approved can use this benefit for assistance in finding employment and covering any required training or education needs.
- An assigned a counselor or case manager creates an employment plan and approves training and purchases on behalf of the VA.
- Pays a monthly housing stipend and covers in-state tuition and required fees, books, and supplies for approved courses at Chapter 31 rates.
- If you have remaining Chapter 33 benefits, you may qualify for the monthly housing stipend under Chapter 31.
For more information, please visit the VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) webpage.
Chapter 35: Dependent Education Assistance
Details
- For dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition and received a 100% VA disability rating.
- Only pays a monthly stipend at Chapter 35 rates.
- Tuition and fees are covered by the student or any Financial Aid.
For more information, please visit the VA's Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance webpage.
Have You Exhausted All VA Education Benefits?
The following scholarships are for Veterans who have exhausted all or do not qualify for any VA Education Benefits.
New Mexico Wartime Veterans' Scholarship
- A NMDVS state scholarship for Military War Veterans that are New Mexico residents and have a combat campaign or service medal and who have received an honorable discharge but exhausted all or do not qualify for any VA Education Benefits.
- Pays for in-state tuition, required fees, books, and supplies under approved program.
New Mexico Vietnam Veterans' Scholarship
- A NMDVS state scholarship for Vietnam Veterans that have been New Mexico residents for 10 years or more and have been awarded the Vietnam campaign medal for services and who have received an honorable discharge but exhausted all or do not qualify for any VA Education Benefits.
- Pays for in-state tuition, required fees, books, and supplies under approved program.
For more information about both of these scholarships, please visit the NMHED's Wartime and Vietnam Veterans Scholarship webpage.
Benefits for Active Military
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill
Details
- For those who served a minimum of 90 days Active Duty or 30 days consecutively and received an Honorable Discharge or received a Medical Discharge from service.
- Pays a monthly housing stipend, book stipend, in-state tuition and required fees for certifiable courses based on the percentage of entitlement. See Chapter 33 rates and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to view this region's stipend rates.
For more information, please visit the VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) webpage.
Tuition Assistance
Details
- For eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force to cover tuition at a school while on Active Duty or after leave of service.
- Pays up to $4500 per fiscal year based on service
For more information, speak with your command.
Benefits for Selected Reserves
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Selected Reserve / Guard
Details
- For members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard to receive 36 months of education and training benefits while serving in the Selected Reserve.
- Only pays a monthly stipend at Chapter 1606 rates.
- Tuition and fees are covered by the student or any Financial Aid.
For more information, please visit the VA's Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) webpage.
Tuition Assistance
Details
- For eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force to cover tuition at a school while on Active Duty or after leave of service.
- Pays up to $4500 per fiscal year based on service
For more information, speak with your command.
Benefits for Children or Spouses of Veterans or Service Members
Chapter 35: Dependent and Survivor Education Assistance
Details
- For dependents or survivors of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or of Service Members who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition and received a 100% VA Disability Rating.
- Only pays a monthly stipend at Chapter 35 rates.
- Tuition and fees are covered by the student or any Financial Aid.
For more information, please visit the VA's Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance webpage.
Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)
Details
- The Veteran Sponsor transfers their full or partial benefits to their dependent(s) while on Active Duty or in the Selected Reserves.
- Pays a monthly housing stipend, book stipend, in-state tuition and required fees for certifiable courses based on the percentage of entitlement. See Chapter 33 rates and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to view this region's stipend rates.
For more information, please visit the VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) webpage and the VA's Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits webpage.
Chapter 33 (100%): Fry Scholarship
Details
- For survivors of a Service Member or member of the Selected Reserve who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
- Pays a monthly housing stipend, book stipend, in-state tuition and required fees for certifiable courses. See Chapter 33 rates and use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to view this region's stipend rates.
For more information, please visit the VA's Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) webpage and the VA's Fry Scholarship webpage.
SpouseWorks Scholarship (MyCAA)
Details
- For eligible military spouses for the pursuit or maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification, or associate's degree necessary to gain employment in an occupation or career field.
- Must create an education plan prior to approval.
- Pays up to $4000 in financial assistance
For more information, please visit the MyCAA website.