Get Your Degree By Using Your Selected Reserve Education Benefits
As a Reservists or Guardsman, you are entitled to various education benefits to help you pay for school and get your degree. While some benefits apply while in a drilling status, others apply if you are ordered to active duty.
Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
Under the MGIB-SR program, drilling Reservists and Guardsman can receive up to 36 months of education benefits. As of October 1, 2009, a full-time student can get paid $333 per month to help pay for school. Eligibility consists of:
- Having your high school diploma or GED before completing Inactive Duty for Training (IADT)
- Completing IDAT
- Committing to a six-year enlistment obligation
- Remain in good standing in an active Selected Reserve unit.
The MGIB (SR) applies to members of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marines Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve along with the Army and Air National Guard.
US Army Reserve (USAR) Educational Benefits
In addition to the MGIB (SR), the USAR offers two additional education benefits. If you meet the USAR entrance eligibility requirement and enlist for six years, you can receive up to $22,000 in education benefits. If you enlist into a critical Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), you could also earn an additional $350 per month for up to 36 months.
Air Force Reserve Educational Benefits
As a drilling Air Force Reservist, you can earn college credits for taking job-related technical courses through the Community College of the Air Force. They are the only military college authorized to award associates' degrees.
Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP)
As a member of the Selected Reserves, if you are ordered to active duty for at least 90 consecutive days, then you could be eligible for REAP. Depending on your active duty tour length, you could receive up to $827.20 per month for up to 36 months.
Veterans and the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty - (MGIB-AD)
As a veteran, if you served two years on Active Duty and then within one year of discharge enlist for four years into one of the Selected Reserves, you could be eligible for up to 36 months of MGIB (AD) education benefits.
Voluntary Education Programs
The Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard offer voluntary education opportunities through the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC). The SOC is a network of about 1,800 colleges working together by transferring credits from other colleges within the network. The courses may be taken either campus-resident or through distance learning.
Below is the SOC program for each branch:
- Army - SOCAD
- Navy - SOCNAV
- Marines - SOCMAR
- Coast Guard - SOCCOAST
- Air Force - The Air Force's uses its Community College of the Air Force as an affiliate program of the SOC program.
Additionally, National Guard members have additional voluntary education opportunities available to them through each of their respective states.
As a Selected Reserve member, now is the time to use your education benefits and pursue getting your degree. With the online option, it is easy.
Reserve Tuition Assistance
Reserve Tuition Assistance Helps Reservists Pay for School
Tuition Assitance Helps Army Reservists Advance Civilian and Military Careers
Learn More About Reserve Education Benefits
Montgomery GI Bill--Selected Reserve
Choosing Reserve Benefits: REAP or Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve?
|
