Veterans Education & Training      

State Programs

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. To apply, download the application and instructions from the benefits page of the NM DVS web site at http://dvs.state.nm.us. For more information, call the NM DVS State Benefits Division at (505) 827-6374.

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 sustained in battle, qualify for a full tuition waiver at any state funded postsecondary school. To apply, download the application and instructions from the benefits page of the NM DVS web site at http://dvs.state.nm.us. For more information, call the NM DVS State Benefits Division at (505) 827-6374.

NM DVS Business Resource Center
The Veteran Business Resource Center is dedicated to helping veterans achieve their business goals. It’s a one-stop shop in Albuquerque to assist veterans with all aspects of business development and ownership. The center is located at 300 San Mateo NE, Suite 106. Students in business and entrepreneurial programs are encouraged to use the Center to learn of special veterans’ business and networking opportunities. For more information, visit http://nmvetbiz.org and call (505) 841-2956 to schedule an appointment.
Veterans Education and Training Services
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs contracts with the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services to evaluate education and job training programs under GI Bill regulations.
 

 State Approval Agency

The VA contracts with the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services to determine which education and training programs in the state qualify to provide training to veterans under the Montgomery GI Bill. Almost all of New Mexico’s public and numerous non-public post secondary schools have veterans training programs.

Education and Training Providers
 

Education and training providers will find applications and instructions on how to apply for approval to train veterans and other eligible persons under “Education & Training” on the NM DVS web site at http://dvs.state.nm.us. You can also call the State Approval Agency at (505) 841-5563 or (505) 841-4783.
 

Education Programs

Institutions of Higher Learning
All Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in the State of New Mexico have certified veterans education programs. These are public and private universities, colleges, community colleges and institutes statewide. For the current list of approved IHLs, visit the NM DVS website at http://dvs.state.nm.us and click on “education”.

Non-College Degree
The Non-College Degree (NCD) category of educational programs includes fire and law enforcement academies, barber, beautician, massage therapy schools and many other vocational programs, some offered by community colleges. For the current list of approval NCDs, visit the NM DVS website at http://dvs.state.nm.us and click on “education”.

Additional Education Programs
Many other types of education programs are available to veterans and other eligible persons, including flight training, distance learning, correspondence schools, licensing & certification, entrepreneurship training and work-study.
 

Training Programs
 

On-the-Job Training

On-The-Job Training (OJT) is a path to obtaining employment in security/corrections, warehouse operations, shipping and receiving, landscaping and many other fields. Participants work under a skilled worker’s supervision and learn occupations by performing job functions that are part of an approved training program. OJT programs must include at least 6 months of training and no more than 24 months.

Apprenticeship Training
Apprenticeship training is a trade union and industry supported system that offers intensive hands-on and theoretical training in an apprenticeship occupation such as plumber, carpenter, ironworker, electrician and welder. The apprenticeship programs run from 2 to 5 years and include formal instruction and hands-on training.
 

Who is Eligible?

A summary of eligibility requirements for the Montgomery GI Bill is beyond the scope of this brochure. Generally, all honorably discharged veterans, National Guard members and Reservists have current or expired eligibility. To review the eligibility criteria, visit the GI Bill website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or call 1-888-442-4551.  Some Dependents of certain veterans are also eligible for.
 

Applying for GI Bill Benefits

For information on how to apply and to obtain the forms, visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ and follow the “Education Benefits” link to “How to Apply for Benefits”. You can also call 1-888-442-4551.  The forms are also available at the Albuquerque VA Regional Office at 500 Gold Ave SW and can be printed off the Internet by a VSO at any NM DVS Field Office. Applications for VA education benefits from New Mexico are handled by a regional processing center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. At the time this brochure was printed, the average time for VA to process an Original Claim for educational benefits was 11 to 13 weeks.

Preparing for your Future
The State of New Mexico thanks you for your service. The Education and Training Division is here to support your educational and vocational training goals. Once you have your VA Letter of Eligibility in hand, you will find hundreds of quality educational and training opportunities to choose from. At each school or program there is a Certifying Official who will assist you and answer your questions.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services offers a full range of veterans’ benefits and services. All veterans are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Veteran Service Officer in your area for a full briefing on state and federal benefits you may be eligible for.

 

 Call 1-866-433-8387 for the field office nearest you and/or
visit the web site at http://dvs.state.nm.us.