Military Educational Programs

The Veterans Affairs site created over 30 plus pages describing all of the educational programs they offer and the criteria that it takes to receive those benefits. So rather than just copy and paste all of that info on BootCamp4Me, I will point you in the right direction.

The Veterans Affairs Educational Programs Fact Page

The main programs that you will want to check into are the Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance and the Post 9/11 GI Bill. There are other programs out there such as Vocational Rehab that help you with school cost, but it is specifically for those with injurys… I hope you will never qualify for that program.

The Post 9-11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

For more information visit the mother ship: VA Post 9/11 Page

The Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) is available for those who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. MGIB encompasses both the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (Chapter 30) and The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606). Under Chapter 30, Active Duty members enroll and pay $100 per month for 12 months; and are then entitled to receive a monthly education benefit once they have completed a minimum service obligation. Under Chapter 1606, a reservist must be actively drilling and have a 6-year obligation in the Selected Reserve to be eligible.

For more information visit the mother ship: The VA Montgomery GI Bill Page

Reserve Educational Assistance (REAP)

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.

Some reservists may contribute up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive up to $5400 in additional GI Bill benefits. You must be a member of a Ready Reserve component (Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, or Inactive National Guard) to pay into the “buy-up” program.

For more information visit the mother ship: VA REAP Page

Many Others

Like I said up top, there are many other programs out there. I am sure you still have questions… Such as; Can your educational benefits be transfered to a spouse?

Sometimes those answers are no… Then one day, someone high up says “Thats not right” and changes the program immediately (such as the state of CA messing up the post 9/11 bill when it came out). So because of that I wanted to point you to the official VA site. That way if and when things get changed, you will have the most up to date information out there.

Heck, the VA is even on Twitter for you to get up to the minute info.