The  Veterans Education (Vet-Ed) program of the New Mexico Department of Veteran’s Services (DVS)

DVS ensures that every Veteran or eligible person has a full and fair opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential through access to the GI Bill® approved post-secondary educational, training/ licensure/ certification, entrepreneurial institutions, and New Mexico Colleges and Universities.

The Vet-Ed program is aligned with the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED).  HED shares with Vet-Ed in its prioritization of student success specifically through increasing retention and degree attainment.  In partnership with HED, Vet-Ed is dedicated to providing both qualitative and quantitative data and subsequent analysis as a means of measuring program efficacy, identifying what works and strengthening the program where necessary to meet participant’s needs.  Additionally Vet-Ed holds that a viable and vital source of diversity at IHLs is contained within our student veteran population.  As such, the program shares with IHLs in its desire to embrace this diversity and interweave its enriching gifts into the fabric of the institution.  With the recent and ongoing influx of veterans into higher education, we must adopt a responsive stance that not only insures the individual’s academic success, but also acknowledge the individuals value and potential impact within the collegiate community and broader social structure.

Get Started

As a Veteran, you may be eligible for educational benefits through numerous GI Bill® programs. Once you have decided to use your GI Bill® benefits it’s important to choose the proper school and type of training. VA’s decision-making tools will help you get the most from your benefits.

Explore your options at the following pages:

Once you are ready, apply for benefits online.

 

Applying for Benefits

Applying for your VA education benefits can be done in just a few steps:

  • Apply onlinetoday if you know which benefit you want to use.
  • Visit the New Mexico VA Regional Office to apply in person.
    • Department of Veterans Affairs (Third Floor)

500 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

  • Consult with the VA Certifying Official—who is usually in the Registrar’s or Financial Aid office—at the school of your choice. This applies to On the Job Training and Apprenticeship programs as well.  This official has application forms and can help you apply.
  • Call 1-888-GI BILL-1 (888-442-4551) to have the application mailed to you.

Your education benefits are processed at the specialized regional claims processing centers in Muskogee, OK.

Post 9/11 GI Bill® General Information

On August 1, 2009, the post-9/11 GI Bill® went into effect, providing expanded educational benefits to millions of veterans who have served since 9/11. There are a variety of factors considereed when calculating the educational benefits, including time of service, geographical location, and type of education pursued.

While the previous GI Bill® provided a monthly stipend that was the same from state to state, the Post 9/11 bill pays full in-state tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities. Veterans who served 36 months are eligible for 100 percent of the benefits; eligibility for benefits decreases with less service time. Fees, books, and housing may also be covered; however, these benefits are adjusted based on a number of factors. In some cases, the veterans are able to pass their benefits on to dependents.

For complete details about VA educational benefits, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill® website.

Forever GI Bill® – Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act Update

  • Student Veterans of America “Forever GI Bill” Summary (Link to PowerPoint)
  • US. Department of Veterans Affairs Website (Link to https://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/ForeverGIBill.asp)
  • Letter from Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity (Link to Letter)

Adapted from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services on 6/18/2018.

“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 U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill”

GI Bill® Approved Facilities

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has several Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) search engines available, which will allow you to search for approved programs in New Mexico and around the country. However, if you do not find the program(s) for which you are searching, please contact us at (505) 383-2418 to assist you further.

WEAMS Institution Search

Searchable Program Types:

  • Institution of Higher Learning
  • Non College Degree
  • On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship
  • Correspondence
  • Flight
  • All Types

WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search

Searchable program Types:

  • Licence
  • Certfication
  • Both

WEAMS National Exams Search

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 U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

State Education Benefits

Vietnam Veteran Scholarship

Veterans who have been residents of New Mexico for a minimum of 10 years, served in Vietnam, and were issued the Vietnam Campaign or Service Medal are eligible. The Vietnam Veteran Scholarship will pay full tuition and books at any state funded post-secondary school. Contact NMDVS State Benefits at (505) 827-6383 to obtain application or go to http://nmdvs.org/state-benefits/.

Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund

Can be used by any veteran who has served in combat since 1990 and who has exhausted all available federal GI Bill® options. An eligible combat veteran who has served since 1990 will thus no longer have to worry about utilizing their GI Bill® under a deadline which may not fit their timeframe.
This scholarship is available to veterans who have been residents of New Mexico for a minimum of ten years and who were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal or any other medal issued for service in the Armed Forces of the United States in support of any US Military campaign or armed conflict as defined by congress or presidential executive order for service after August 1, 1990.
Applicant must provide a certified copy of their DD214 showing a Combat Campaign or Service Medal and an honorable discharge. Scholarship is for veteran only; scholarship cannot be awarded to spouse or dependent. Contact NMDVS State Benefits at (505) 827-6383 to obtain application or go to http://nmdvs.org/state-benefits/.

In-State Tuition for Veterans

Veterans, their spouses and their children no longer have to wait to establish “in-state” residency status when applying for college. Those who wish to use their GI Bill® can now immediately take advantage of less-expensive “resident” in-state tuition rates at any state funded college, university, vocational school or vocational training program. Spouse and children must be using GI Bill® education benefits to receive in-state tuition.

World War II and Korean Veterans’ High School Diploma

Any veteran who left a New Mexico high school before graduating to serve in World War II or the Korean War will be awarded a valid high school diploma issued from the high school they were attending.

Children of Deceased Veterans

Children between the ages of 16-26 whose veteran parent was killed in action or died as a result of their wounds incurred in battle, qualify for a full tuition waiver at any state funded post-secondary school. A $150 stipend, per semester, will be issued to help with books or fees.

Military Children School Enrollment Priority

Priority enrollment status is automatically assigned to incoming students or the New Mexico schools system whose active-duty, National Guard or Reservist parent is transferred to a New Mexico military facility.

Veteran Resource Centers (VRC) on Campus Support and Best Practices

Mission

To provide guidance to public Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in the development of Centers of Excellence/ Veteran Resource Centers for Veteran Students transitioning from the military to school, fostering academic success and credential attainment.

Sharing Best Practices

When starting a VRC, schools should consider four elements of a Veteran focused Campus:

  • Embrace framework of transitional, comprehensive, coordinated services.
  • Develop programs based on needs-assessments that are veteran-centered
  • Develop partnerships that help VRC respond to identified needs of student veterans
  • Conduct active outreach and follow-up that engages student veterans in various and highly visible means.