The words ‘G.I. Bill’ first comes to mind when someone mentions military and veteran educational benefits. There are actually three bills, or programs, that provide educational benefits to service members and veterans. Depending on when you served, you may qualify for more than one VA Education Benefit Program. Some benefits you can take advantage of while still on active duty.

First up is the Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB). If you served at least 90 days on active duty after September 11, 2001, served 30 consecutive days and were discharged with a service-connected disability, or received a Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, and served any amount of time on active duty, then you may qualify for benefits. A dependent child may apply for benefits if transferred from a qualifying veteran or service member.

Next is the Montgomery G.I. Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD). It can help pay for education and training programs if you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty. There are four categories for qualification, allowing a large number of veterans to access this program.

Then there is the Montgomery G.I. Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR). If you agreed to serve 6 years in the Selected Reserve, or you’re an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to serve 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation, you may qualify for 36 months of benefits under this bill. Service must have started after June 30, 1985, or for some types of training after September 30, 1990.

You can get more information on these programs by using the VA Comparison Tool. It doesn’t answer every question, but it does provide a lot of good info on covering tuition, books, certifications, national exams (e.g., ACT, SAT), and more at colleges, universities, vocational institutes, and other institutions approved to receive VA education benefits.

If you are Active-Duty, or a member of the Guard or Reserve, you need to check in with your installation’s Education Office and unit leadership before making any plans. Always keep in mind that the service’s needs outweigh your desire to take a class. When I applied for tuition assistance to begin my Master’s Degree program, one of my fellow lieutenants did the same. He was working nights, however, and that knocked him out of two semesters, but he was able to begin the first Summer session when he switched to days.

Finally, don’t leave your future education only in the hands of the VA. Every state offers education and other benefits to veterans, and many offer reduced tuition to Active-Duty, Guard, and Reserve personnel. For example, this is the educational benefits page on CALVET, California’s veteran benefits office. Each state will have their own information on their own sites.

Always remember, these are your benefits. You earned them, or you are earning them now. Make the most of them to help your family advance toward the life you want.

In our next part of VSO 101, we will explore more on veteran death benefits!

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