The Montgomery GI Bill® has different eligibility requirements based on your active duty service. The benefits available under each category may vary depending on your situation and length of active service.

Who is eligible?

If you are separated from service, you may be an eligible veteran if:

• Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985;
• Received a high school diploma or equivalent before the end of your first obligated period of service;
• Received an honorable discharge
• Continuously served for 3 years, or 2 years if that is what you first enlisted for, or 2 years if you have an obligation to serve four years in the Selected Reserve AND entered Selective Reserve within a year of leaving active duty.

How much does VA Pay?

The monthly benefit paid is based on the type of training you take, length of your service, your category, and if Department of Defense put extra money in your MGIB Fund (“kicker”).

The most current education pay rate can be found on the GI Bill® Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Typically, you have ten years to use your Montgomery GI Bill® benefits.

The Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program’s mission is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs.

Who is eligible?

To receive an evaluation for VR & E services, a veteran must:

• Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable;
• Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 20%;
• Submit a completed application for VR&E services.

How much does VR & E pay?

Benefits may include payment of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and a monthly subsistence allowance.

The basic period of eligibility in which VR & E services may be used is 12 years from the latter of the following:

• Date of separation from active military service, or
• Date the veteran was first notified by VA or a service-connected disability rating.

VEAP is an education benefit for veterans who paid into VEAP while they were in the service.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you must have:

• First entered active duty after December 31, 1976, and before July 1, 1985. AND
• Contributed to VEAP before April 1, 1987 AND
• Completed your first period of service,  AND
• Been discharged under conditions other than honorable.

How much does VA pay?

The total dollar amount of your benefits is the sum of:

• Your total contributions, PLUS
• Matching funds from VA equal to 2 times your contributions, PLUS
• Any additional contributions or *kickers*

The monthly amount you will receive is based on the total (above) , the number of months you contributed, the type of training you are pursuing, and your training time.

Eligible veterans may receive up to 36 months of training.  Eligibility usually ends 10 years after getting  out of the service, but the time can be longer in some cases.

Who is eligible?

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® provides support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-disconnected disability after 30 days.

How much does VA pay?

The most current education pay rate can be found on the GI Bill® Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Under this bill, you may receive:

• Tuition & Fees payment (paid directly to the school) not to exceed the tuition and fees at the most expensive state Institution of Higher Learning (IHL)
• Montly housing allowance based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents
• An annual book stipend of $1000 paid proportionately based on enrollment

Individuals under Chapter 33 are generally entitled to 36 months of educational assistance.

In general an individual’s eligibility to use Chapter 33 benefits expires 15 years from the date of the last discharge or release from active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.

Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance is an educational benefit for eligible spouses and children of certain veterans.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:

• A veteran who died, or is permanently and totally disabled, as the result of a service-connected disability.  The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
• A Veteran who died from any cause while such service-connected disability was in existence.
• A service member missing in action or captured in the line of duty by a hostile force.
• A service member forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.

How much does VA pay?

The amount VA pays is based on the type of training program and level of enrollment.  Benefits are paid monthly and in arrears.  If attendance is less than a month or less than full-time, payments are reduced proportionately.

The most current education pay rate can be found on the GI Bill® Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits.

The Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve is an education program that provides educational benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, as well as the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

Who is eligible?

You may be considered an eligible reservist or National Guard Member if:

• After June 30, 1985, you signed a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve, AND
• You completed your Initial Active Duty for Training, AND
• You got your High School Diploma or GED before you complete your Initial Active Duty for Training, AND
• You are in good standing in a drilling Selected Reserve unit.

How much does VA pay?

The monthly benefit paid to you is based on the type of training.  If you are attending school, your payment is based on your enrollment level.

The most current education pay rate can be found on the GI Bill® Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Your period of basic eligibility dates from the time you complete your requirements, and lasts for a period of 10 years.  If you separate from the Selected Reserves or National Guard, your entitlement ends on the date of separation.  If you separate as a result of a disability, you may remain eligible for the entire 10 years, even though you are not training.

REAP is an education program that provides assistance to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is determined by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security as appropriate. Generally, a member of a Reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation.

How much does VA Pay?

• Members who serve 90 days but less than 1 year will receive 40% of the current Chpt 30 rate
• Members who serve 1 year, but less than 2 years will receive 60% of the current Chpt 30 rate
• Members who serve 2 or more continuous years will receive 80% of the current Chpt 30 rate

The most current education pay rate can be found on the GI Bill® Website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

REAP may provide up to 36 months of education benefits.