Accelerated Payments are the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill provision that provides a lump sum payment of 60% of tuition and fees for certain high cost, high tech programs. If you do not have sufficient entitlement to cover 60% of tuition and fees, VA will pay you based on your actual remaining entitlement.
The program IS NOT available under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
VA will make accelerated payments for one term, quarter, or semester at a time. However, if the program is not offered on a term, quarter or semester basis, the accelerated payment is paid for the entire program. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a high tech program and you must certify that you intend to seek employment in a high tech industry as defined by VA. Accelerated payment is paid instead of Montgomery GI Bill benefits that you would otherwise receive.
To receive accelerated payment, the tuition and fees must be more than double the Montgomery GI Bill benefits that you would otherwise receive for that term. For example, if are enrolled in a 4 month program and you receive $900 monthly benefits, your tuition and fees must be over $7,200 (4 months x $900=$3,600; $7,200= 2 x $3,600). If you receive $1,050 monthly benefits, your tuition and fees must be over $8,400 (4 months x $1,050 = $4,200; 2 x $4,200 = $8,400).
You must be enrolled in a program in one of the following categories:
- Life science or physical science (but not social science);
- Engineering (all fields);
- Mathematics;
- Engineering and science technology;
- Computer specialties; and
- Engineering, science, and computer management
Ask your school to include your request for accelerated payment to VA when it sends your enrollment information to VA for processing. Your request must include your certification that you plan to seek employment in a high technology industry.
VA will divide your accelerated payment by the amount of your full-time monthly rate (including kickers and additional contributions) and VA will reduce your entitlement by the resulting number of months and days.
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