GI Bill

  • Q: When I try to call the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), I sit on hold for a long time. Is there another way to ask a question about my account?

    A: You can ask a question online at http://www.gibill.va.gov. Set up your own account by clicking on the Your Account tab on the FAQs page. You should receive a response within 72 hours.
  • Q: How do I find out how many months of the GI Bill I have used?

    A: Only the DVA can give you this information. You can call them at 1-888-442-4551 or contact them online at http://www.gibill.va.gov. Set up your own account by clicking on the Your Account tab on the FAQs page. You should receive a response within 72 hours.
  • Q: What should I do if the VA denied my request for education benefits?

    A: Contact the GI Bill Support Team at gibill@ng.army.mil and scan any denied documentation, as we can validate your entitlements and help correct this action.
  • Q: Will my Chapter 1606 benefit be reinstated if I sign a new six-year Reserve Component contract?

    A: You are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
    Learn more.
  • Q: Will I lose my Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit when I become a member of the Active Guard Reserve (AGR)?

    A: Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
    Learn more.
  • Q: Can I continue to use my Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit after I am discharged from the Guard?

    A: You are eligible to continue receiving payments if you are medically discharged or if you were deployed prior to your benefit delimiting date. If you are medically discharged, you retain your benefits for 14 years from your original date of eligibility. If you were deployed, you have the time of deployment plus four months. For example, if you were deployed for 12 months, you have 16 months (12 months plus the additional four) from your date of discharge to use any remaining benefits.
  • Q: When will my Chapter 1606 benefit expire?

    A: If your eligibility began prior to October 1, 1992, you are eligible for 10 years from your beginning date of eligibility, or until the day you leave the Selected Reserve. If your eligibility began on or after October 1, 1992, you are eligible as long as you remain drilling in good status with a Reserve component, or until the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
  • Q: How many breaks in National Guard service can I have and still retain my eligibility for the MGIB-SR benefit?

    A: You are authorized a one-time break in service not to exceed 12 months (up to 36 months for missionary service) during your military career.
  • Q: My MGIB-SR eligibility was terminated due to being an unsatisfactory participant. Can I become eligible again?

    A: No. If your eligibility is terminated from MGIB-SR, you are no longer eligible to receive benefits and your eligibility cannot be reinstated.
  • Q: Does my Border Mission time count for the Chapter 1607 benefit?

    A: Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
    Learn more.
  • Q: I received an email telling me my Eligibility for Mobilized Soldiers (EMS) letter was available. What is an EMS letter, and do I have to give it to the VA to collect my Chapter 1607 benefits?

    A: The EMS letter is simply the Army National Guard’s way of notifying you that you may be eligible for the Chapter 1607 benefit. You do not need to send this letter to the VA to collect your benefit, as it does not provide any specific information about the time you served on Active Duty. The VA will need your DD214(s) as proof of benefit eligibility.
  • Q: Does REAP Chapter 1607 pay for flight training?

    A: Yes. Chapter 1607 will pay for a variety of training options, but reduced rates may apply. Visit http://www.gibill.va.gov for current rates and additional information.
  • Q: Can I have allotments held from my drill pay for the REAP Chapter 1607 Buy-Up Program?

    A: No. Reserve Soldiers can contribute to the Chapter 1607 Buy-Up Program only by submitting a lump-sum payment by cashier’s check or money order (no personal checks allowed). Contact the GI Bill Support Team at gibill@ng.army.mil for additional information on how to enroll in the Chapter 1607 Buy-Up Program.
  • Q: If I am discharged due to disability before my 90th day of service, what percentage of my benefits will I receive under Chapter 1607?

    A: If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
    Learn more.
  • Q: Am I eligible for Chapter 1607 benefits if I’m receiving a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship?

    A: It depends on your scholarship. You are not eligible for Chapter 1607 if you are currently receiving the Dedicated Guard Scholarship or Regular Army ROTC Scholarship. The Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarship (GRFD) has no impact on your Chapter 1607 eligibility.
  • Q: I am currently an AGR Soldier who previously mobilized to Iraq. I was told that as an AGR Soldier, I can no longer use my Chapter 1607. Is this true?

    A: AGR Soldiers can still use their Chapter 1607 benefits. However, while you are on Active Duty, you will receive benefits only up to the cost of tuition and fees. You cannot use Chapter 1607 in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance.
  • Q: Can my 10-year delimitation date be restarted even after it has already passed?

    A: The DVA will give you a new 10-year window from the last Honorable Active Duty DD214 that they have on file for you, even if your previous 10-year window has already expired.
  • Q: If I reset my 10-year eligibility window, will I have more months of benefits?

    A: Restarting your eligibility window gives you additional time to use your remaining entitlement benefits. It does not provide you any additional months of benefits.
  • Q: What is qualifying Active Duty for AGR (Title 32) for Chapter 30 benefits?

    A: To qualify for Chapter 30 benefits, your Title 32 Active Duty service must be for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training the National Guard.
  • Q: If I qualify for both the MGIB-AD benefit and the MGIB-SR benefit, can I receive them at the same time?

    A: No. You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
    Learn more.
  • Q: I was discharged from the Navy after 5 1/2 years under less than honorable conditions. While in the Navy, I paid into the Chapter 30 program. I’m now in the Guard, and the VA denied my application to use my Chapter 30 benefits. Why?

    A: To use the Chapter 30 benefits after you have separated from Active Duty, your discharge must be fully honorable. If you receive any other type of discharge (such as under honorable conditions or general), you will not be able to use Chapter 30 benefits.
  • Q: I did not use any of my Chapter 30 benefits before they expired. Can I get my $1,200 back?

    A: No. Department of Defense policy does not allow refunds of the $1,200 contribution for any Service Member who fails to qualify for the benefit or who elects not to use the benefit.
  • Q: Does my school have to wait for my Post-9/11 Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to submit my enrollment certification?

    No. The school representative is encouraged to submit your enrollment certification anytime after you have enrolled.
  • Q: I’m a full-time Title 32 AGR Soldier. Am I eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

    Yes. Per Public Law 111-377, effective 4 January 2011, the definition of Active Duty was extended to include: Full-time service in the National Guard of a state for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing or training the National Guard or in the National Guard under section 502(f) of title 32 when authorized by the President or the Secretary of Defense for the purpose of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by Federal funds.
  • Q: I'm currently a Title 32 AGR Soldier who previously mobilized. Do I qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Since I am Active Duty, will I get the housing allowance and book stipend?

    Yes. You qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to your mobilization and Title 32 AGR service, as long as you have served at least 90 aggregate days or more in either one or both statuses listed, since 11 September 2001.  Since you’re on Active Duty, you cannot get the housing allowance but will qualify for the book stipend.