LEARN ABOUT YOUR GI BILL BENEFITS.
By serving your state and country, you earn great education benefits. In addition to federal tuition assistance to get your education started, you may qualify for additional GI Bill benefits.
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Earn a monthly expense allowance of up to $369—totaling over $13,000 in a four-year period. And if you qualify for the Army National Guard Kicker, you’ll earn even more. Best of all, this money is sent directly to you (not to your school) to spend on books, supplies—anything you want.
Most of these benefits can be used to pay for a college degree, a trade or apprenticeship program, and many other training or professional licensing programs. And some benefits may be transferable to dependents. Learn more at any of the links below.
GI BILL PROGRAM AND BENEFITS
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), Chapter 1606
An education assistance program for individuals serving in the Selected Reserve—including the National Guard and other Reserve forces.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), Chapter 1607
Provides education assistance to members of the Ready Reserve who were called up to Active Duty on or after September 11, 2001.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015. Some individuals will remain eligible for REAP benefits until November 25, 2019, while others are no longer eligible for REAP benefits.
This change affects beneficiaries differently:
Current REAP beneficiaries - Veterans who were attending an educational institution on November 24, 2015, or during the last semester, quarter, or term ending prior to that date, are eligible to continue to receive REAP benefits until November 25, 2019.
REAP beneficiaries not attending school - Veterans who applied for REAP but were not attending an educational institution on November 24, 2015, or during the last semester, quarter, or term ending prior to that date, are no longer eligible to receive REAP benefits. You may be eligible to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
New REAP applicants - Veterans who have not enrolled in school and applied for REAP benefits prior to November 25, 2015, are no longer eligible for REAP benefits. However, in most cases, you will be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Chapter 30
Provides education assistance to eligible service members who have served a sufficient period of Active Duty on or after July 1, 1985.
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33
For Soldiers with at least 90 days of Active Duty service on or after September 11, 2001, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover up to 100 percent of your tuition, depending on the length of time you’ve served. You may also be eligible for a housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies, and your benefits may be transferable to your dependents. You’ll also find information about the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help pay higher private school, graduate school or out-of-state tuitions.
Army National Guard Kicker
A supplement to the Montgomery GI Bill that pays up to $350 per month in living expenses—up to $12,600 over 36 months—on top of your GI Bill benefits, for recruits and Soldiers in critical military jobs and units. You’ll need to apply and qualify for this program.
Dependents and Transferring Benefits
If you’re an active member of the National Guard or Reserve, you may qualify to transfer your Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit entitlement to your dependents. Find out if you qualify, and learn how to apply to make the most of your earned benefits. You can also find specific information for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, Chapter 31
As a disabled Veteran, you may find it challenging to find employment or live independently while you recover. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, Chapter 31, offers many services that can help you transition as you recover, including employment assistance, job training, counseling and rehabilitation services.
HOW TO APPLY
Each of these Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits has its own requirements and application procedures. You'll find detailed instructions at each of the links listed above.
PAYMENT RATES
To determine which GI Bill version will offer you the greatest benefits based on your military experience, use the Benefit Comparison Tool. Payment rates for VA educational assistance programs vary depending on the type of education or training you pursue, as well as your enrollment status. You'll find a list of current payment rates at the VA's Rate Tables page.
A note about VA-approved programs:
The first step on the road to using your VA education benefits is identifying an education or training program that is approved by the VA. There are two ways to identify these programs:
Search for VA-approved programs in your area by visiting the Search for Approved Education Programs section of the VA's website.
If you have identified a training program that interests you, simply ask the school or employer if the training is VA-approved.
For more information about GI Bill benefits—including which GI Bill is best for you—call the GI Bill Support Team at 866-628-5999.
Current Guard Soldiers can get more information on education programs by contacting their state’s Education Services Officer.
