Selected Reserve GI Bill User’s Guide

25 Feb Selected Reserve GI Bill User’s Guide

User’s Guide on Selected Reserve GI Bill

Selected Reserve service members are entitled to GI Bill remuneration to offer help with training and education expenses. The guide includes help with the following topics:

1. Overview of the Montgomery GI Bill benefits
2. Application instruction in step by step format

The members of the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard Reserves and the National Guard can avail benefits under the Chapter 1606 of Montgomery GI Bill SR [MGIB SR]. Apart from this bill, the members of the Guard and Reserve are entitled to two more benefits under the GI Bill category. The provision to pay the GI Bill under the Chapter 30 is offered to those who serve for more than 24 months continuously.

The Reserve Education Assistance Program [REAP] under the Chapter 1607 is the second program offered to the guard and the reserve members. 80% of the GI Bill benefits is offered to the service members under the REAP program. Further explanation on this topic is offered in the fact sheet.

The benefit of greater than $11,000 is offered under the MGIB SR Chapter 1606. The amount is decided on the student payment rate on a monthly basis and the multiplication factor is the 36-month limit. Each year, the payment rate increases automatically on the 1^st of October. The increased is offered when a member becomes eligible or starts using the benefits.

Note: The actual benefits offered are high when one is enrolled in the  Navy, Army or Marine Corps College Funds.

Eligibility for MGIB-SR

The following criteria must be met by the service member to be qualified for the MGIB SR benefit:

• After the 30^th of June 1985, the members need to have a six-year commitment in the Guard or Selected Reserve. The officer must agree to serve for six more years along with the obligation made originally
• The member must be completed the training for the preliminary active duty [IADT]
• Meet all the requirements by receiving an equivalency certificate or the diploma from the high school before the completion of IADT.
• Must hold a good record while the member is actively serving in the Selected Reserve units

Using the GI Bill

The GI Bill can be utilized to shell out for various programs which include:

• Bachelor, Advanced and Associate degree programs under the college programs
• Technical/Vocational training which includes programs under the non-degree category
• Apprenticeship/ job training
• Certification and licensing reimbursement
• CLEP, SAT and AP National Testing Programs
• Flight instructions
• Training through correspondence
• Study work programs
• Assistance for paying tuition fees
• Assistance for tutorials

Note: Specific questions can be answered about the GI Bill account by the representatives of the VA. They can be reached at 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Stepwise Instructions for the Application

Although the processing of the application for the GI Bill can consume a lot of time, it is worth the investment. The process just takes four steps for completion.

Step One

Locate VA-approved education programs or training schools. If the school fulfills the necessary requirements for the utilization of the GI Bill, then it is vital to contact the admissions counselor. To locate the institution or school, one can make use of the following link:  Military.com School Finder

Note:  Programs approved by VA are accepted by various national and regional universities and colleges.

Step Two

The Application for the Education Benefits can be completed using the following link:

VA’s Online Application VONAPP.

Step Three

In many cases, the school sends the enrollment information directly to the VA regional office. This only expedites the application process. Within eight or four weeks, the member receives the eligibility declaration and also a letter that explains the GI Bill benefits. Sometimes, VA requests for more information by releasing a letter. The questions need to be answered upon requests made by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

Step Four

Once a member begins receiving payments, they will be required to complete the Web Automated Verification of Eligibility (WAVE) process by VA every month in order to receive the benefit payments on a monthly basis. The WAVE procedure is quite simple and requires the member to contact them via their toll-free number 1-888-GIBILL-1 or log on to their official website. Until this step is completed, the member doesn’t receive the monthly payments.

These simple steps, lets the members receive educational benefits of over $11,000. It is worth the effort and there is no need to wait until it’s too late.