Veterans going back to school get nearly $7 billion more

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs is setting aside $25.25 billion for readjustment benefits in fiscal 2026, up $6.99 billion from $18.26 billion the year before. For veterans using education and career-transition help, that means more money is flowing toward the benefits that help pay for school, retraining and the move into civilian work.

That climb matters because these benefits are often the bridge between service and a new paycheck. When the account grows, it is a sign that more veterans are relying on help to make that transition, and that the cost of providing it is rising too.

A pricier path out of uniform

The higher total is tied to a mix of higher average payments, inflation and rising tuition costs for higher education programs. The increase is not coming from one narrow program. It reflects a broader rise in the price of delivering readjustment benefits across the board.

That makes the account a useful snapshot of a familiar pressure point. School costs do not stay still, and neither do the needs of veterans who are trying to finish a degree, pick up a new credential or train for a different line of work after leaving the military.

What sits inside the account

The readjustment benefits account covers education benefits and vocational rehabilitation and employment services. Those programs are the ones that help veterans finish degrees, learn new trades and find civilian jobs after military service.

The account does not capture every part of the Department of Veterans Affairs mission, but it does show where the transition aid is headed. A bigger number here means the government expects more demand, more expensive benefits, or both.