Chapter 1606 VA Benefits: How to Access the Montgomery GI Bill® for Selected Reserve Members

Chapter 1606 VA Benefits: Members of the Selected Reserve can get financial help for school and training through the Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program, which is a Chapter 1606 benefit.

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Reserves, and Army and Air National Guard are included. This program offers 36-month benefits to qualifying participants.

MGIB-SR eligibility requires Selected Reserve members to meet specified standards. They must take a service vow and undergo training.

All of the following have to be accurate:

• You are required to serve in the Selected Reserve for six years.
• If you are an officer, you have committed to serving for an extra six years on top of your original term of service.
• The beginning of your service requirement had to be after June 30, 1985.
• A high school degree or its equivalent, completion of your initial active duty training, and continued good standing with your Selected Reserve unit are additional requirements.
• You might still be qualified even if your discharge was brought on by a disability that wasn’t the result of misconduct.

An extensive range of educational pathways are supported by the MGIB-SR program, including:

• College, business, technical, or vocational schools.
• Apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
• Licensing or certification programs.
• Tuition assistance, correspondence courses, and national tests.

In some cases, the program may include flight training along with remedial, deficient, and refresher training.

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Your monthly benefit (full-time, part-time, etc.) will depend on the type of training you’re getting and how fast you’re getting it.

Your payment is usually split up based on how many days you attend each month. You will get your money at the end of each month.

Chapter 1606 VA Benefits: How to Request Benefits

The first step to accessing your benefits is to get your Notice of Basic Eligibility (DD Form 2384-1) from your unit if you qualify. Once you have this document, your unit will input your eligibility into the Department of Defense system.

Before enrolling in a program, it’s essential to ensure that the program has been approved by the VA. You can do this by using the GI Bill Comparison Tool or contacting the school directly. If the program hasn’t been approved, the school will need to request VA approval.

When you’re ready to apply, submit VA Form 22-1990 online. If you’re already enrolled in training, you’ll need to provide your Notice of Basic Entitlement, VA Form 22-1990, and VA Form 22-1999 to your employer or educational institution to be certified for benefits.

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Those who have served more than one qualifying period of active service may be eligible for 48 months of benefits. If you’re summoned to active duty, your qualifying term may be extended by four months plus your mobilization.

To continue receiving payments, it’s important to verify your enrollment each month. This can be done through your employer’s training or HR department or your school’s financial aid or veterans office for on-the-job training.