As a Reservist, What G.I. Bill Do I Get?
Q: I am a drilling reservist. I have been deployed to Iraq in 2003. Am I eligible for any of these GI bills? If so, which ones and for how much?
A: As a Reservist, to qualify for the for the Montgomery G.I. Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), you have to:
- sign up for a six-year enlistment;
- been awarded your high school diploma before completing IADT;
- complete IADT;
- remain in good standing as a drilling member of your unit (no more than four unexcused absences).
Assuming you have done all these things, then you would qualify for 36 months of education benefits. Keep in mind, generally speaking, your MGIB-SR is only good while you remain a member of the Reserves and expires 14 years from your date of eligibility or when you leave the Reserves.
In your case, your 14-year delimiting date is altered due to your mobilization. If your mobilization was for 12 months, then the length of your mobilization plus four months is added to your delimiting date. So while normally your MGIB-SR would end when you got out of the Reserves, you should have 16 months of benefit left if you leave the Reserves sooner than 14 years.
Right now the Montgomery G.I. Bill – Selected Reserves currently pays students $333 per month to go to school.
You should also qualify for 36 months of the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 60% level, meaning the VA would pay 60% of your tuition and fees directly to your school, up to the maximum, and you would get 60% of the housing allowance and book stipend. Just be aware the Post 9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover non-degree courses such as trade, technical, licenses and certifications.
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