Education
VA Work-Study Allowance
A paid part-time job while you are in school, with a pay advance.
What it is
Work-Study lets you earn money from a part-time job while you are in school. The jobs are on campus or in VA-related work, and you can ask for part of your pay up front. You apply to VA with a form.
Who qualifies
- You are enrolled at least 75 percent (three-quarter time) in a college degree, vocational school or professional program.
- You use an approved VA education benefit: Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty or Selected Reserve), VET TEC 2.0, STEM Scholarship, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E).
- Federal law gives priority to veterans with a disability rated 30 percent or more.
What it pays
- An hourly wage equal to the federal minimum wage or your state minimum wage, whichever is greater. Schools may add to that to match their standard rates.
- You cannot work more total hours than 25 times the number of weeks in your enrollment period.
- Advance pay: you may ask for an advance of 40 percent of the hours in your Work-Study agreement, or 50 hours, whichever is less.
Work-Study limits
Where the jobs are
VA facilities, schools, state agencies, Veterans Service Organizations, hospitals serving veterans, state veterans homes, cemeteries, Congressional offices and home-care settings for veterans.
How to get it, step by step
- Confirm you are enrolled at least 75 percent and using one of the VA education benefits above.
- Fill out VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance.
- Submit it to your VA regional processing office (VA's page sends you to the office list).
- Complete the work agreement while you still qualify for education benefits.
1Confirm you are enrolled at least 75 percent and using one of the VA education benefits above.
2Fill out VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance.
3Submit it to your VA regional processing office (VA's page sends you to the office list).
4Complete the work agreement while you still qualify for education benefits.
Traps to watch
- Dropping below 75 percent enrollment can end your eligibility. The law lets you finish an agreement after dropping below that only with VA approval.
Where to call and where to go
Phone
- GI Bill hotline: 1-888-442-4551 (888-GIBILL-1), Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Source: benefits.va.gov/gibill and va.gov/education.
Official pages
- VA: Work-Study program (how it works and how to apply)
- VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance
- How to apply for VA education benefits
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