Students: The Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill

Summary

This article provides information regarding the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill, both of which offer educational benefits to veterans and active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. These programs provide financial assistance for education and training, offering veterans opportunities to further their education and careers.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is available to veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001, and have received an honorable discharge. To qualify for the full benefits, a veteran must have served at least three years of active duty after this date.

Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers several benefits, including:

• Tuition and Fees: Covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. For private or foreign schools, it covers up to a maximum amount set by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Monthly Housing Allowance: Based on the cost of living where the school is located.

• Annual Books and Supplies Stipend: Provides up to $1,000 per year.

Approved Training

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes:

• Graduate and undergraduate degrees

• Vocational/technical training

• On-the-job training

• Flight training

• Correspondence training

Veterans may use these benefits for up to 36 months, and they are payable for 15 years following release from active duty.

Transfer of Benefits

Eligible members of the armed forces on August 1, 2009, can transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouse or dependent children. This transfer is facilitated by the Department of Defense (DOD).

For more information, visit FSCJ Military and Veterans Service Center.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available to those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. It encompasses both the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30) and the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606).

Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD) (Chapter 30)

The MGIB-AD program provides up to 36 months of education benefits, which can be used for:

• College and university degree programs

• Technical or vocational courses

• Correspondence courses

• Apprenticeship/on-the-job training

• Flight training

• High-tech training

• Licensing and certification tests

• Entrepreneurship training

• Certain entrance examinations

Benefits are generally payable for 10 years following release from active duty. Eligibility requires an honorable discharge, a high school diploma or GED, and meeting specific Veterans Administration criteria.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606)

The MGIB-SR program may be available for members of the Selected Reserve, including:

• Army Reserve

• Navy Reserve

• Air Force Reserve

• Marine Corps Reserve

• Coast Guard Reserve

• Army National Guard

• Air National Guard

This program provides up to 36 months of education benefits for:

• Degree programs

• Certificate or correspondence courses

• Cooperative training

• Independent study programs

• Apprenticeship/on-the-job training

• Vocational flight training programs

Eligibility Criteria:

• Six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve, signed after June 30, 1985

• Completion of initial active duty for training (IADT)

• Attainment of a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT

• Good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit

Extended Eligibility:

If mobilized (recalled to active duty), eligibility may extend by the mobilization period plus four months. If the unit is deactivated between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2014, or if involuntarily separated (except for misconduct), the original eligibility period is retained for 14 years from the first six-year obligation date.

For more information, visit FSCJ Military and Veterans Service Center.

How Much Does VA Pay?

The monthly benefit paid is based on the type and length of service.

Important Note

For Financial Student Aid (FSA) purposes, federal veterans' education benefits are not treated as estimated financial assistance (EFA) in a student's cost-of-attendance (COA) calculation. Veterans' benefits are not counted as income and should not be reported as income on the FAFSA.

Students: The Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill

This article provides information regarding the post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill.

The Post 9/11 GI - Bill
Veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001 and received an honorable discharge will qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. To qualify for the full benefit a veteran must have served at least 3 years of active duty after September 10, 2001.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill can be used while on active duty provided the completion of at least 90 days of service (excluding basic entry level & skill training).

Those who were members of the armed forces on August 1, 2009, who are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, may receive from the DOD (Department of Defense) the opportunity to transfer benefits to a spouse or dependent children.

Approved training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill includes graduate and undergraduate degrees, vocational/technical training, on-the-job training, flight training, and correspondence training. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits which are payable for 15 years following release from active duty.

Benefits the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay include:

• Tuition and fees

• Monthly housing allowance

• Annual books and supplies stipend

 For more information go to https://www.fscj.edu/military-veterans?

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. MGIB encompasses both the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30) and The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606).

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)(Chapter 30)

The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following release from active duty. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 30.

The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty, called "MGIB" for short, provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

• College

• Technical or Vocational Courses

• Correspondence Courses

• Apprenticeship/Job Training

• Flight Training

• High-tech Training

• Licensing & Certification Tests

• Entrepreneurship Training

• Certain Entrance Examinations

An eligible veteran is one who has an Honorable Discharge, a High School Diploma or GED, and meets the requirements of one of the categories determined by the Veterans Administration.

Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606)

The MGIB-SR program may be available for members of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

This education assistance program may be used for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. The program provides up to 36 months of education benefits.

One exception to this rule exists if you are mobilized (or recalled to active duty from your reserve status), in this case your eligibility may be extended for the amount of time you are mobilized PLUS four months. For example, if you are mobilized for 12 months your eligibility period is extended for 16 months (12 months active duty PLUS 4 months.) So even if you leave the reserves after mobilization, you may have additional eligibility to the MGIB-SR.

If your unit is deactivated during the period beginning on October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2014 or you are involuntarily separated (for reasons other than misconduct) you will retain your original period of eligibility which is 14 years from the date of your first 6 year obligation with the selected reserves.

For more information go to https://www.fscj.edu/military-veterans?

Eligibility

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

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

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

• Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT

• Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit.

How Much Does VA Pay?

The monthly benefit paid is based on the type and length of service.

Important Note:

For FSA purposes, federal veterans' education benefits are not treated as estimated financial assistance (EFA) in a student's COA (cost-of-attendance) calculation. Veterans' benefits are also not to be counted as income, and therefore are not reported as income on the FAFSA.