IAVA | February 24, 2016
Read: Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill: When to switch over
I get a lot of questions from veterans who are eligible for both the Montgomery GI Bill (Active and Reserve portions) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill who want to know how to maximize their benefits. Nine times out of 10 the Post-9/11 GI Bill is a better option for those that are eligible for full eligibility under both programs.
Veterans transferring into the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) will generally receive 36 months of educational assistance, approximately four academic years’ worth of an education. A veteran who used benefits from one of the older GI Bill programs will likely have additional education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Former active duty veterans who are currently using the MGIB (Chapter 30), may qualify for 12 additional months of new GI Bill benefits due to a loophole caused by VA regulations. If a veteran uses all 36 months of their MGIB benefits (every last day) and then transfers over to the new GI Bill they will be given 12 additional months of benefits. However, if a veteran transfers over from the MGIB with any remaining benefits (even one day) they will only receive the same number of months as they had with the old GI Bill.
For example, a veteran with five days left on the old MGIB who transfers over to the new GI Bill will only get five days of benefits with the new GI Bill. If that veteran had burned the rest of their MGIB benefits they would have received an additional 12 months.
If the veteran never used MGIB (Chapter 30) benefits, but had used other benefits such as REAP (Chapter 1607), Select Reserve GI Bill (Chapter 1606) or VEAP (Chapter 32) he or she can receive up to total 48 months of educational benefits but no more than 36 months in any one particular program. For example, a veteran who used 10 months of REAP (Chapter 1607), will be entitled to 26 more months of REAP (Chapter 1607) benefits or 36 months of Post 9/11 GI bill benefits.
As always, if you have any questions about your benefits and how to use them please contact IAVA’s RRRP Team.
This blog was originally published on NewGIBill.org.
