(5) The monthly rate of basic educational assistance payable to a veteran who is pursuing a cooperative course is the rate stated in the following table:

(b) Less than one-half-time training. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, the monthly rate of basic educational assistance for a veteran who is pursuing a course on a less than one-half-time basis is the lesser of:

(1) The monthly rate in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or

(2) The monthly rate of the cost of the course.

(c) Rates for servicemembers. The monthly rate of basic educational assistance for a servicemember may not exceed the lesser of the following rates (except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section):

(1) The monthly pro-rated cost of the course.

(2) (i) The following monthly rates for training that occurs after September 30, 2000, and before November 1, 2000—

(A) $740.00 for full-time training;

(B) $555.50 for three-quarter-time training;

(C) $370.00 for one-half-time training and training that is less than one-half but more than one-quarter-time training; and

(D) $185.00 for one-quarter-time training; and

(ii) The following monthly rates for training that occurs after October 31, 2000, and before October 1, 2001—

(A) $838.00 for full-time training;

(B) $629.00 for three-quarter-time training;

(C) $419.00 for one-half-time training and training that is less than one-half but more than one-quarter-time training; and

(D) $209.50 for one-quarter-time training.

(d) Increase in basic educational assistance rates (“kicker”). The Secretary concerned may increase the amount of basic educational assistance payable to an individual who has a skill or specialty which the Secretary concerned designates as having a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to recruit. The increase may not be applied to a servicemember whose monthly rate is determined by paragraph (c)(1) of this section, but it can serve to raise the ceiling on monthly rates stated in paragraphs (b)(1) and (c)(2) of this section. The amount of the increase is set by the Secretary concerned, but—

(1) For individuals, other than those pursuing cooperative training before October 9, 1996, or apprenticeship or other on-job training, it may not exceed:

(i) $400 per month for full-time training,

(ii) $300 per month for three-quarter-time training.

(iii) $200 per month for one-half-time training or for training which is less than one-half but more than one-quarter-time, or

(iv) $100 per month for one-quarter-time training or less.

(2) For individuals pursuing an apprenticeship or other on-job training it may not exceed—

(i) $300 per month for the first six months of training.

(ii) $220 per month for the second six months of training, and

(iii) $140 per month for the remaining months of training.

(3) For individuals pursuing cooperative training, it may not exceed $320 per month for training received before October 9, 1996.

(e) Increase (“kicker”) in basic educational assistance rates for service in the Selected Reserve. (1) The Secretary of the military department concerned may increase the amount of basic educational assistance payable under paragraph (a), (b), or (d) of this section, as appropriate. The increase (“kicker”) is payable to a veteran who has a skill or specialty in which there is a critical shortage of personnel or for which it is difficult to recruit, or, in the case of critical units, retain personnel, if the veteran:

(i) Establishes eligibility for educational assistance under § 21.7044(a); and

(ii) Meets the criteria of § 21.7540(a)(1) with respect to service in the Selected Reserve.

(2) The Secretary of the military department concerned—

(i) Will, for such an increase, set the amount of the increase (“kicker”) payable for full-time training, but the increase (“kicker”) may not exceed $350 per month;

(ii) May set the amount of the “kicker” payable, for a veteran pursuing a program of education less than full time or pursuing an apprenticeship or other on-job training, at an amount less than the amount described in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section.

(f) Concurrent benefits. VA may pay additional educational assistance to a veteran for a dependent concurrently with additional pension or compensation for the same dependent.

(g) Two veteran cases. VA may pay additional educational assistance to a veteran for a spouse who is also a veteran. This will not bar the payment of additional educational assistance or subsistence allowance under § 21.260 of this part to the spouse for the veteran. If the veteran is paid additional educational assistance for a child, that will not bar payment of additional educational assistance or subsistence allowance under § 21.260 of this part to the spouse for the same child.