Justice-Involved Veterans

We take immense pride in assisting our incarcerated Veterans in achieving their educational goals. Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving and safeguarding our nation, and it is our duty to stand by them, regardless of any missteps that may have occurred before this moment.
By helping them navigate their access to educational benefits while incarcerated, we express gratitude for their service and offer them an opportunity to succeed, expand, and build a brighter future.

Maximizing Existing Resources:

Many justice-involved veterans qualify for education benefits through programs such as the GI Bill or the Post-9/11 GI Bill(Chapter 33). By extending these benefits to incarcerated veterans through the Correspondence Program, we optimize existing resources more efficiently, ensuring that those who have served their country can still benefit from the assistance they’ve rightfully earned.

• Veterans with four or more years of experience and an honorable discharge after January 1st, 2013, may be able to access or already have access to Chapter 33 benefits (tuition, fees, and book stipend).
• Dependents of veterans who have transferred benefits before the service member leaving service may be eligible to receive those Chapter 33 benefits, or dependents whose sponsor received 100% total and permanent disability from the VA may be eligible for Chapter 35 (a monthly stipend of $1488.00).

Rehabilitation and Reintegration:

Education is one of the most potent tools for rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society post-incarceration. By providing access to education benefits, incarcerated veterans can acquire fresh skills, knowledge, and credentials that bolster their employability upon release.

Curbing Recidivism:

Research consistently underscores the efficacy of education programs in correctional facilities in lowering recidivism rates. By empowering justice-involved veterans to utilize their education benefits, we can disrupt the cycle of incarceration and offer them a path to success upon reentry into society.

Learn more about Adams State University Office of Veterans Affairs.

For more information on Justice-Involved Veterans and the benefits they may qualify for, please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Forms for Justice-Involved Veterans

Notice to Department of Veterans Affairs of Veteran or Beneficiary Incarcerated in Penal Institution

• 21-4193-ARE Form
  • About VA Form 21-4193

Application for VA Education Benefits

• 22-1990 Form
  • About VA Form 22-1990

Request for Change of Program or Place of Training

• 22-1995 Form
  • About VA Form 22-1995

Dependents’ Request for Change of Program or Place of Training

• 22-5495 Form
  • About VA Form 22-5495

Dependents’ Application for VA Education Benefits

• 22-5490 Form
  • About VA Form 22-5490