U.S. Army New York

Eligibility:

 

An Army Reserve Soldier on drill status may be eligible for Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606, benefits if he or she:

 

• 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. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990;

 

• Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT);

 

• Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement;

 

• Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB - SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.

 

The benefits can be used until 14 years from the Soldier's beginning date of eligibility or until the date they leave the Selected Reserve if eligibility for this program began on or after October 1, 1992. If eligibility began before October 1, 1992, ability to use this program ends 10 years from the Soldier's beginning date of eligibility or on the date they leave the Selected Reserve. An exception to this rule is when a Soldier is mobilized (recalled to active duty from reserve status) eligibility may be extended for the amount of time mobilized plus an additional four months. 

 

If a Soldier has been mobilized on or after 9/11/01 for at least 90 consecutive days, he or she may be eligible for Chapter 1607 benefits.

 

Important: The Department of Defense (DoD) determines eligibility. The Veterans Affairs (VA) doesn't have the authority under the law to make or reverse eligibility determinations. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommends that all Soldiers file a claim for benefits to receive a formal decision on their eligibility.

 

If a Soldier has been mobilized on or after 9/11/01 for at least 90 consecutive days, he or she may be eligible for Chapter 1607 benefits.

 

Important: The Department of Defense (DoD) determines eligibility. The Veterans Affairs (VA) does not have the authority under the law to make or reverse eligibility determinations. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommends that all Soldiers file a claim for benefits to receive a formal decision on their eligibility.

 

Benefit Highlights:

 

The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Soldiers. Generally, Soldiers have 14 years from the date they become eligible to use the benefits. If a Soldier leaves, the Selected Reserves benefits end the day the Soldier separates. An exception to this applies and Soldiers retain eligibility for MGIB-SR benefits for the full 14 year period if: 1) a Soldier's Reserve or National Guard unit was deactivated, or a Soldier was involuntarily separated from Reserve or National Guard service (such as a reduction in force), during the period October 1, 1991 through September 30, 1995; and/or October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2014 or 2) a Soldier was discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability not caused by misconduct.

 

Education programs that qualify under the GI bill include:

 

• attending classes that lead to a college degree like an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Degree

 

• vocational programs that lead to a degree or certificate

 

• accredited independent study such as online or internet training

 

• correspondence training (55% of approved costs)

 

• on-the job (OJT) or apprenticeship training - reimbursed at:

  • 75% of the fulltime GI Bill rate for the first six months of training

  • 55% for the second six months

  • 35% for the remainder of the training

  • Soldier also receives a salary from employer

 

• flight training - up to 60% of approved charges (must have private pilot license and valid medical certificate)

 

• licensing & certification up to $2,000.00 per exam - pass or fail

 

• entrepreneurship classes offered through the Small Business Development Center or the National Veterans Business Development Center

 

• high cost tech courses - up to 60% of the charges may be reimbursed

 

•  Tuition Assistance: "Top-Up"

 

Payment Rates are based on a number of factors, including:

 

• length of Soldier's original enlistment

 

• type of training taken

 

• amount of classes Soldier is enrolled in

 

• participation in the GI Bill $600.00 buy-up program

 

• participation in a college fund program

 

• rates determined by Congress which usually change each fiscal year

 

Current Payment Rates:

 

The following rates are effective as of 1 October 2013.

 

For Soldiers enrolled in institutional training:

 

• Full time: $362.00 per month

 

• ¾ time: $270.00 per month

 

• ½ time: $179.00 per month

 

• Less than ½ time: $90.50 per month

 

For Soldiers enrolled in apprenticeship and on-job training:

 

• First six months of training: $271.50 per month

 

• Second six months of training: $199.10 per month

 

• Remaining pursuit of training: $126.70 per month

 

For Correspondence and Flight: Entitlement charged at the rate of one month for each $362.00 paid

Cooperative: $362.00

 

Correspondence Payments: 55% of the approved charges

 

Flight Payments: 60 % of the approved charges

 

Veterans Affairs (VA) Notification:

 

• For colleges, vocational schools, independent study, flight, correspondence, and high-tech training, the school reports Soldier's enrollment to the VA.

 

• For OJT and apprenticeship training, Soldier's employer or union notifies the VA.

 

• For licensing & certification tests, Soldier must report his enrollment and provide the VA with a receipt, his test results, and written permission for VA to view his records.

 

• For entrepreneurship classes the Small Business Development Center of the National Business Development Center will report Soldier's enrollment to the VA.