What it is VA Form 22-1990 is the standard application for VA education benefits. One form opens the door to multiple programs: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP / Chapter 1607, where still applicable), and the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (VEAP / Chapter 32). 38 CFR 21.1030 requires you to file this form the first time you claim education assistance.
When you use it Use 22-1990 for your first-ever VA education claim, or anytime you start a brand-new program of study after a long gap. If you are switching schools or changing your major and already on benefits, file VA Form 22-1995 instead. Dependents using transferred Post-9/11 benefits use 22-1990e.
What to gather before you fill it out Social Security number, DD-214 for each period of service, direct-deposit info (bank routing + account number), school name and program, basic education history, and — if you have served on active duty — your service dates by character of discharge.
How to submit Fastest: apply online at VA.gov (sign in with Login.gov or ID.me). You can also mail the completed PDF to the regional processing office that serves your school, or hand-deliver it to any VA regional office. VA typically issues a Certificate of Eligibility in 30 days or less when filed online.
Common pitfalls The election is irrevocable. If you qualify for both Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 and you elect Post-9/11, you cannot switch back to MGIB. Total entitlement is 36 months per program and 48 months aggregate across all VA education programs. The 15-year delimiting date does NOT apply to Chapter 33 if your last discharge was on or after January 1, 2013 (Forever GI Bill). Transferring benefits to a spouse or child (TEB) requires 6 years of service plus a 4-year additional service commitment, and the request must be made while still in uniform — file 22-1990e only after DoD approves the transfer.
Related forms 22-1990e (transferred benefits — dependents), 22-1995 (change program or school), 22-5490 (Chapter 35 DEA / Fry), 22-1990n (National Call to Service).
Sources VA.gov — https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-22-1990/ ; 38 CFR 21.1030 — https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/21.1030 ; Forever GI Bill (Pub. L. 115-48); 38 USC 3322, 3327 (irrevocable election).