# 38 C.F.R. § 21.21 (2026): Election of benefits under education programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_21

## Section

- **Citation:** 38 C.F.R. § 21.21 (2026)
- **Heading:** Election of benefits under education programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 38 CFR: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief / Chapter I: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS / Part 21: VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION / Subpart A: Veteran Readiness and Employment / § 21.21: § 21.21   Election of benefits under education programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

## Text

(a)
Election of benefits required.
A veteran must make an election of benefits among the programs of education administered by VA for which he or she may be eligible. A veteran who has basic entitlement to rehabilitation under chapter 31 and is also eligible for assistance under any of the other education programs administered by VA must make an election of benefits between chapter 31 and any other VA program of education for which he or she may be eligible. The veteran may reelect at any time if he or she is otherwise eligible. (See §§ 21.264 and 21.334.)
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1781(b))
(b)
Use of prior training in formulating a rehabilitation program.
If a veteran has pursued an educational or training program under an education program listed in § 21.4020 of this part, the earlier program of education or special restorative training shall be utilized to the extent practicable.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3695(b))
[53 FR 880, Jan. 14, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992]

## Nearby sections

- [38 C.F.R. § 21.1 (2026) § 21.1   Training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_1.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.21 (2026) § 21.21   Election of benefits under education programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_21.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.22 (2026) § 21.22   Nonduplication—Federal programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_22.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.30 (2026) § 21.30   Claims.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_30.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.31 (2026) § 21.31   Informal claim.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_31.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.32 (2026) § 21.32   Notification by VA of necessary information or evidence when a claim is filed; time for claimant response and VA action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_32.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.33 (2026) § 21.33   VA has a duty to assist claimants in obtaining evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_33.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.35 (2026) § 21.35   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_35.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.40 (2026) § 21.40   Basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits and services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_40.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.41 (2026) § 21.41   Basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_41.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.42 (2026) § 21.42   Deferral or extension of the basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_42.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.44 (2026) § 21.44   Extension of the basic period of eligibility for a veteran with a serious employment handicap.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_44.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.45 (2026) § 21.45   Extending the period of eligibility for a program of independent living beyond basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_45.md)
- [38 C.F.R. § 21.46 (2026) § 21.46   Veteran ordered to active duty; extension of basic period of eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_46.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T38_P21_S21_21. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.