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Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs

Benefits - Montgomery GI Bill Educational Benefits (Chapter 30, 33, 1606, and 1607)

How to apply

Chapter 30
The student must obtain a copy of VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits) from the PSC veterans affairs advisor and/or apply through www.gibill.va.gov. The student must submit the completed form to the PSC veterans affairs advisor, along with Member-4 copy (showing the character of service) of their DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for each enlistment period.
Chapter 33
The Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting and processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Students should complete and submit the application form available from www.gibill.va.gov. Students will receive a letter explaining US Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision regarding eligibility for the program.

The application form requires that individuals currently eligible for benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) and make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Chapters 1606 and 1607
The student must obtain a copy of VA Form 22-1990 (Application for Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits) from the PSC veterans affairs advisor and/or apply through the US Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at www.gibill.va.gov. The student must submit the completed form to the PSC veterans affairs advisor, along with a DD-2384, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), from the education officer at their unit.

What determines eligibility?

Chapter 30
If the student has served in active military services and is applying for Chapter 30 benefits, the DD-214 must indicate that the student participated in the program (paid $100 per month for 12 months) and that the student received an honorable discharge. If the student served in active military services and is applying for Chapter 32 (Post-Vietnam Era Education Assistance Program), they must have paid into the program while on active duty.
Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.
Chapter 1606
The student must have completed one year of their original enlistment and have completed their basic training in the National Guard or Selected Reserves. The student must be actively serving on a six-year commitment with the National Guard or Selective Reserve unit.
Chapter 1607
Generally, a member of a reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, under title 10, U.S. Code, for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation, is eligible for REAP. There is no specific time frame to use REAP; however, eligibility generally ends when you leave the Selected Reserves.

How are the recipients selected?

The Department of Veterans Affairs reviews the applications and makes the selection based on their guidelines.

How is the amount of the award determined?

Chapter 30
The monthly education benefits have base amounts for two years of service, or for three or more years of service. In addition, some individuals may have bonuses or "kickers" that will increase the amount they receive each month. The bonus is determined at the time the member enters the service. Chapter 30 benefits last for 36 months at full time continuous enrollment.
Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009.
Chapter 1606
The monthly education benefits have a base amount, but certain units now give "kickers". The student needs to check with their unit to see if they qualify for a "kicker". Chapter 1606 benefits last for 36 months at full-time continuous enrollment.
Chapter 1607
The educational assistance allowance payable under REAP is a percentage of the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB) rate based on the number of continuous days served on active duty. Persons released before 90 days due to an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty receive the 40 percent rate. Current rates of payment can be found at www.gibill.va.gov.
How and when are the funds paid out?
The applications are submitted to the regional Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis. The first pay may take six to eight weeks (or more if the application is incomplete) before it is received. After that, the student is paid their first payment. Thereafter, they will be paid each month for the previous month’s attendance. Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607 students must perform a monthly verification prior to receiving their monthly pay. For more information regarding Chapter 33, visit www.gibill.va.gov.
Additional information
Students can receive a total of 48 months of benefits if they qualify under more than one program. Montgomery "GI Bill" education benefits can be used for both undergraduate and graduate work. If the student is attending at a rate less than full-time, they will receive a smaller monthly amount and the length of time will be extended accordingly. A Chapter 30 student has a maximum of 10 years from the date of discharge to use the benefit or it is forfeited. A Chapter 1606 student has a maximum of 10 years from the date they become eligible to use the benefit or it is forfeited.  For more information regarding Chapter 33, please refer to www.gibill.va.gov.