Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve - Sauk Valley Community College

Montgomery GI Bill^®- Selected Reserve - Chapter 1606

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member 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.

What is the Montgomery GI Bill^®- Selected Reserve?

You may use this education assistance program for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Remedial, refresher and deficiency training are available under certain circumstances.

Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program.

You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits.

Your eligibility for the program normally ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve.

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.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

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.

If your Reserve or National Guard unit was deactivated during the period October 1, 1991, through September 30, 1995, or you were 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.

How Much Does VA Pay?

Current Benefit Rates for Chapter 1606 Benefit Recipients

How Do I Apply?

Your unit will give you DD Form 2384-1, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), when you become eligible for the program. Your unit will also code your eligibility into the Department of Defense personnel system so that VA may verify your eligibility.

New Applicant

You can apply by filling out VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits. The original VA Form 22-1990, member 4 version of your DD-214 and a SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet to the Office of Veterans Services. You must also request transcripts from all previous education/training be sent to SVCC. Contact information for transcript requests may be found here.

You may also apply online at the vets.gov website. If you choose to apply online, please print out the application and bring it along with your SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet to the Office of Veterans Services. We will notify the Veterans Administration Office of your method of applying for benefits.

Transfer Applicant

You can apply by filling out VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. This form is available at the vets.gov website. The original VA Form 22-1995 and SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet must be submitted to the Office of Veterans Services.

Monthly Verification of Enrollment

All veterans using the MGIB must verify their enrollment at the end of each month that they are receiving benefits for. Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by using our Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling the toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

How can I Prevent Overpayments and Penalties?

An overpayment is an incorrect benefit payment that is more than the amount to which you are entitled. You must promptly notify SVCC's Certifying Official of changes affecting your benefits, to prevent or reduce overpayments.

Carefully read all mail from the VA about the effective dates and monthly rate of your benefits. If you think you have received an incorrect check or direct deposit, contact the VA immediately. If you fail to contact the VA regarding a check or direct deposit for the wrong amount, you will be liable for repayment of any resulting overpayment.

How Can I Get More Information?

Visit the Montgomery GI Bill^®- Selected Reserve Education Benefits web page. Or Call toll free 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve

Montgomery GI Bill®- Selected Reserve - Chapter 1606

What is the Montgomery GI Bill®- Selected Reserve?