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GI Bill benefits are available for Selected Reserve service members to help with education and training costs. The Montgomery GI Bill SR (Chapter 1606), is available to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, as well as the National Guard.
Called to Active Duty
Chapter 1606 reservists who are called to regular active duty will have their delimiting date extended by the period called to active duty plus four months. Even if the reservist then subsequently leaves the selected reserves, that person will still be able to use his/her chapter 1606 benefits by the length of the extended delimiting date.
Beside the MGIB SR, activated reserve and Guard service members may have two other GI Bill options. The first gives those who serve continuously for 24 or more months on active duty, the option to pay into the GI Bill for active duty (Chapter 30). The second program, called the Reserve Education Assistance Program (Chapter 1607). REAP allows activated reserve and guard members up to 80 percent of the GI Bill for active duty (Chapter 30). This program is further explained in the Chapter 1607-Reserve Educational Assistance Program section.
The MGIB SR Chapter 1606 benefit is worth over $10,000. This amount is based on the 2007 monthly full-time student payment rate of $309 multiplied by the 36-month limit. This “payment rate” automatically increases on October 1 each year. You get the increase no matter when you became eligible or start using it.
If your Reserve or National Guard unit is deactivated during the period October 1, 1991, through September 30, 1995, or you are involuntarily separated (e.g., reduction in force) from Reserve or National Guard service during this same period, you will retain eligibility for MGIB - SR benefits for the full 14 year eligibility period. 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.
MGIB SR Eligibility - To be eligible for the MGIB SR you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve or Guard signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation.
- 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.
Using Your GI Bill: If you have never applied for your 1606 GI BILL sees the ‘applying for benefits’ section.
If you have already submitted an application for benefits to the VA, see the ‘process for receiving benefits at UCSB’ section. Once you begin receiving your benefit checks (Direct Deposit) you will have to complete the VA’s Web Automated Verification of Eligibility (WAVE) process each month to continue to receive your monthly benefits payments. See the WAVES section for more information about using WAVES.
For more information about Chapter 1606 benefits and eligibility, see the Chapter 1606 Brochure or contact the VA Regional Office for additional assistance by dialing toll-free, 1-888-442-4551.
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