Montgomery G.I. Bill

RESERVE GI BILL (MGIB-SR)

Overview:

The MGIB-SR is an educational assistance program enacted by congress on 1 Jul 85 to attract high quality men and women into the reserve branch of the Armed Forces.

Eligibility:

  • Enlist, reenlist or extend to have a six year obligation in the ARNG
  • Soldiers may extend for the MGIB-SR at any time during their enlistment, they do NOT have to wait until 90 days prior to ETS
  • Have a High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Complete Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT) or equivalent

Note:Enlisted soldiers must have a MOS, Officers and Officer Candidates must have completed IADT or must complete Officer Basic Course (OBC).

Benefit: (effective 1 Oct 05)

  1. College Courses
    • 36 months of ‘full time’ benefits while attending college course
  2. On the Job Training/Apprenticeship:
    • Using your MGIB at your job!
    • VA pays you a monthly benefit while performing a job and earning wages
    • See www.GIBILL.VA.gov for Starting pay information
    • Examples include: Welders, Painters, Cooks, Mechanics, Police
    • Contact your ‘State Approving Agency’, State Department of Education, or State Department of Employment and Training for list of approved jobs
  3. Work Study:
    • A part time job paid by the VA!
    • Work at any VA approved facility (ARNG armories qualify!)
    • Earn minimum wage (State or Federal whichever is higher)
    • Earnings are tax free and don’t count against your MGIB
    • Work must be MGIB related and soldier must be in receipt of the MGIB at 3/4 time or more
    • File VA Form 22-8691, Application for Work-Study Allowance with your Regional VA Office
  4. Suspension:
    • Soldiers who leave the ARNG and enter the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or Inactive National Guard (ING) may be granted a one time, ‘period of non-availability’ for up to 1 year (3 years for missionary obligation)

Note: MGIB-SR benefits are suspended during the entire period of non-availability.

Termination:

  • Entitlement to the MGIB-SR is terminated when any of the following occur:
    • Failure to return to an active drilling status after a period of suspension
    • Failure to extend for the period of suspension
    • Declared an Unsatisfactory Participant (9 AWOLs)
    • 14 years after initial eligibility date
    • The MGIB-SR entitlement period is extended for any period of federal mobilization plus 4 months

    How to Become or Verify Eligibility:

    • The Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) is issued to you by your ARNG State MGIB Manager or ESO immediately after you become eligible for the MGIB-SR.

    How to Receive Your Payments

    • Click here for the online Veteran's Affairs Application Process.
    • To be used for college courses and related expenses, OJT, Apprenticeship, Workstudy, or other Veteran Affairs Programs.

    VA Help Information:

    • General VA Information: 1-800-827-1000
    • MGIB Information: 1-888-GI-Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551)
    • Automated Telephone System (WAVE): 1-877-823-2378
    • VA Web Site www.GIBILL.VA.gov