Factors to consider when choosing which GI Bill to use


Many veterans and servicemembers are eligible for more than one education benefit program, including:

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)
  • Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30)
  • Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606)
  • Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP, Chapter 1607)
  • Veterans Education Assistance Program (VEAP).

 

Before selecting the VA education benefit best suited for a specific individual, these questions should be considered:

Which benefit pays the individual more?

Is s/he receiving other aid?

  • Will entitlement to that aid change?

What Post-9/11 GI Bill tier is the person eligible for?

What type of training will be pursued (i.e., bachelor’s degree, flight training, on-the-job, etc.)?

  • How much, if any, of the training will be online/distance learning?
  • Is the preferred training covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

Where will the individual be living when pursuing training?

Is the delimiting date (the timeframe to utilize benefits) important?

Will the individual be a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009?

Is s/he eligible for Transfer of Entitlement? Does s/he want to transfer entitlement?

 

Note: Eligibility for transfer of entitlement is determined by the military branches of service.

 

Does the individual have remaining entitlement under other VA Education Programs?

  • Does the individual plan to use that entitlement before using the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

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