38 CFR § 21.5030 - Applications, claims, and time limits.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s21.5030"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 21.5030 - Applications, claims, and time limits."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "21.5030"
section_name: "Applications, claims, and time limits."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "21"
part_name: "VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "21"
---


# 21.5030 Applications, claims, and time limits.

(a) To become a participant an individual must apply to his or her Service Department on forms prescribed by the Service Department and/or the Secretary of Defense.

(b) Rules and regulations of the applicable Service Department and/or the Department of Defense shall determine if the application is timely.

(c) The provisions of the following sections shall apply to claims for educational assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 32:

(1) Section 21.1029—Definitions.

(2) Section 21.1030—Claims.

(3) Section 21.1031—VA responsibilities when a claim is filed.

(4) Section 21.1032—Time Limits

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3232, 3241, 3471; Pub. L. 94-502, Pub. L. 99-576)

[45 FR 31, Jan. 2, 1980, as amended at 48 FR 3368, Jan. 25, 1983; 53 FR 34495, Sept. 7, 1988; 64 FR 23772, May 4, 1999]