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Military Benefits


As a member of the military, whether active or inactive, you are eligible for a variety of benefits to help you with your education. Use the following information to help you determine what you qualify for.

Status Eligibility Requirements Monthly Benefits For College Or Institutional Training Benefits Can be Used Toward Time Limitations
Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30) To be eligible, you need to have the following:

  • Honorable discharge
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985

And one of the following:

  • Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for first 12 months
  • Continuously served for 3 years
  • 2 years if that is what you first enlisted for
  • 2 years if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and served 4 years ("2 by 4" Program)
  • Full Time $1,034
  • 3/4 Time $775
  • 1/2 Time $715
  • College / university
  • Vocational school
  • Correspondence
  • Apprentices
  • Job training
  • Flight training
  • Licensing and Certification tests
  • Certain entrance exams
Generally, benefits are available for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Montgomery G.I. Bill - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) You may be eligible if you are a member of one of the following Selected Reserves:

  • Army Reserve
  • Navy Reserve
  • Air Force Reserve
  • Marine Corps Reserve
  • Coast Guard Reserve
  • Army National Guard
  • Air National Guard

You must also:

  • Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985.

If you are an officer:

  • You must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation.
  • Full Time - $297
  • 3/4 Time - $224
  • 1/2 Time - $147
  • Degree programs
  • Certificate or Correspondence courses
  • Cooperative training
  • Independent study programs
  • Apprenticeship
  • On-the-job training
  • Vocational flight training programs
  • Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances
  • You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.
  • Your benefit entitlement ends 14 years from the date of your eligibility for the program, or on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607) Certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 are either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.
  • Full Time Service of One Year $620.40, Service of 2 Years $827.20
  • 3/4 Time Service of One Year $465.30, Service of 2 Years $620.40
  • 1/2 Time Service of One Year $310.20, Service of 2 Years $413.60
All education programs, with the exception of:

  • National Examination / Testing Reimbursement
  • You may use your benefits under REAP as long as you remain within your component.
  • Benefits must be terminated if you leave the Reserves or participate in a ROTC program under Title 10 Section 2107.
Veterans Education Assistance Program To be eligible, you must have the following:

  • Entered service for the first time between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985
  • Opened a contribution account before April 1, 1987
  • Voluntarily contributed from $25 to $2700
  • Completed your first period of service
  • Were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable.
Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government
  • Degree
  • Certificate
  • Correspondence
  • Apprenticeship/on-the-job training programs
  • Vocational flight training programs
  • In certain circumstances, remedial, deficiency, and refresher training may also be available.
  • Benefit entitlement is 1 to 36 months depending on the number of monthly contributions.
  • You have 10 years from your release from active duty to use VEAP benefits.
  • If there is entitlement not used after the 10-year period, your portion remaining in the fund will be automatically refunded.
Survivor's and Dependent's Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) 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 line of duty by a hostile force.
  • A service member forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power
  • Full Time $827
  • 3/4 Time $621
  • 1/2 Time $413
  • Degree
  • Certificate
  • Apprenticeship, and on-the-job training
  • If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course.
  • Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances
The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits.
Tuition Assistance "Top Up" (Chapter 30) The Individual must be:

  • Approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department
  • Eligible for MGIB-Active Duty benefits
The amount of the benefit can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.
  • College / University
  • vocational school
  • Correspondence
  • Apprentices
  • Job training
  • Flight training
  • Licensing and certification tests certain entrance exams
Generally, benefits are available for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Work Study Program To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a full-time or 3/4-time student in a college degree, vocational, or professional program.

The VA work-study allowance is available to persons training under the following programs:

  • Montgomery GI Bill--Active Duty (38 U.S.C. Chapter 30)
  • Vocational Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans With Service Connected Disabilities (38 U.S.C. Chapter 31)
  • Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 32)
  • Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (38 U.S.C. Chapter 35)Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve (10 U.S.C. Chapter 1606)
  • Eligible dependents under 38 U.S.C.
  • Chapter 35 may use work study only while training in a State
You'll earn an hourly wage equal to the Federal minimum wage or your State minimum wage, whichever is greater. If you're in a work-study job at a college or university, your school may pay you the difference between the amount VA pays and the amount the school normally pays other work-study students doing the same job as you. Services you perform under a VA work-study program must be related to VA work. Must be in a college or vocational program
Entrepreneurship Training You may receive reimbursement for approved entrepreneurship courses if you’re eligible for any of these VA Education Programs:

  • Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty
  • Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve
  • Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program
Dependent upon the program you choose Any course that qualifies. You may check the qualification at the Small Business Administration. Dependent upon the program you choose
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