Editing G.I. Bill (section)

==Content==
All veteran education programs are found in law in Title 38 of the United States Code.  Each specific program is found in its own Chapter in Title 38.

Unlike scholarship programs, the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) requires a financial commitment from the service member. However, if the benefit is not used, the service member cannot recoup whatever money was paid into the system.

In some states, the National Guard does offer true scholarship benefits, regardless of past or current MGIB participation.

===Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill)===
In 1984, former Mississippi Democratic Congressman [[Gillespie V. Montgomery|Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery]] revamped the G.I. Bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/history.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709175000/http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/history.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 9, 2006|title=Education and Training Home|last=223D|access-date=June 19, 2016}}</ref> From 1984 until 2008, this version of the law was called "The Montgomery G.I. Bill". The '''Montgomery GI Bill&nbsp;— Active Duty''' (MGIB) stated that active duty members had to forfeit $100 per month for 12 months; if they used the benefits, they received {{As of|2012|lc=on}} $1564 monthly as a full-time student (tiered at lower rates for less-than-full-time) for a maximum of 36 months of education benefits. This benefit could be used for both degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and correspondence courses if the veteran was enrolled full-time. Part-time veteran students received less, but for a proportionately longer period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp|title=Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) - Education and Training|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref> This meant that for every month the veteran received benefits at the half-time, the veteran's benefits were only charged for 1/2 of a month. Veterans from the reserve had different eligibility requirements and different rules on receiving benefits (see Ch. 1606, Ch. 1607 and Ch. 33). MGIB could also be used while active, which only reimbursed the cost of tuition and fees. Each service has additional educational benefit programs for active duty members. Most delay using MGIB benefits until after separation, discharge or retirement.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

===="Buy-Up" option====
The "Buy-Up" option, allows active duty members to forfeit up to $600 more toward their MGIB. For every dollar the service member contributes, the federal government contributes $8.  Those who forfeit the maximum ($600) will receive, upon approval, an additional $150 per month for 36 months, or a total of $5400. This allows the veteran to receive $4,800 in additional funds ($5400 total minus the $600 contribution to receive it), but not until after leaving active duty (unless the tuition of a term is higher than the monthly MGIB rate would pay).  The additional contribution must be made while still on active duty. It is available for G.I. Bill recipients using either Ch. 30 or Ch. 1607, but cannot be extended beyond 36 months if a combination of G.I. Bill programs are used.  It will pay past 36 months of eligibility, by being paid to the end of the term where entitlement is exhausted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBAD|title=Education and Training Home|last=223D|access-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005040618/http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm#MGIBAD|archive-date=October 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The "buy-up" option is not to be confused with a "kicker".  A kicker is an additional payment as well, however it is a contractual incentive for specific jobs, and not an optional offering soldiers can pay into.

====Time limit/eligibility====
MGIB benefits may be used up to 10 years from the date of last discharge or release from active duty. The 10-year period can be extended by the amount of time a service member was prevented from training during that period because of a disability or because he/she was held by a foreign government or power.

The 10-year period can also be extended if one reenters active duty for 90 days or more after becoming eligible. The extension ends 10 years from the date of separation from the later period. Periods of active duty of fewer than 90 days qualify for extensions only if one was separated for one of the following:
* A service-connected disability
* A medical condition existing before active duty
* Hardship

For those eligible based on two years of active duty and four years in the Selected Reserve (also known as "call to service"), they have 10 years from their release from active duty, or 10 years from the completion of the four-year Selected Reserve obligation to use MGIB benefits.

At this time, service members cannot recoup any monies paid into the MGIB program should it not be utilized.

====Top-up option====
Service members may use GI bill in conjunction with Military Tuition Assistance (MilTA) to help with payments above the MilTA CAP. This will reduce the total benefit available once the member leaves service. Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–377, January 4, 2011), Section 111, amended Title 38, U.S. Code, by adding section 3322(h), "Bar to Duplication of Eligibility Based on a Single Event or Period of Service," which does not allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish eligibility for a Service Member under more than one education benefit. If a service member applies for Montgomery GI Bill benefits (such as the Top-up option to augment Tuition Assistance) and entered service on/after August 1, 2011, then they must incur a subsequent period of service to convert to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. If the service member cannot incur another period of service, they are not eligible to convert.  The VA considers a service member has elected a GI Bill upon submission of VA Form 22–1990.and VA approval and issues a Certificate of Eligibility.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=William |title=INFORMATION PAPER |url=https://www.hrc.army.mil/Site/Assets/Directorate/tagd/Post_9-11_GI_%20Bill_Bar_to_Duplication.pdf |work=hrc.army.mil |publisher=US Army |access-date=September 5, 2016 |ref=AHRC-PDE-I |pages=2 |language=en |format=Information Paper |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918015708/https://www.hrc.army.mil/Site/Assets/Directorate/tagd/Post_9-11_GI_%20Bill_Bar_to_Duplication.pdf |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Educational====
* College, business
* Technical or vocational courses
* Correspondence courses
* Apprenticeship/job training
* Flight training (usually limited to 60% for Ch. 30, see Ch. 33 for more flight information)

Under this bill, benefits may be used to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university, a cooperative training program, or an accredited independent study program leading to a degree.

===Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation Program)===
"Chapter 31" is a [[vocational rehabilitation]] program that serves eligible active duty servicemembers and veterans with service-connected disabilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/|title=Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Home|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref>  This program promotes the development of suitable, gainful employment by providing vocational and personal adjustment counseling, training assistance, a monthly subsistence allowance during active training, and employment assistance after training. Independent living services may also be provided to advance vocational potential for eventual job seekers, or to enhance the independence of eligible participants who are presently unable to work.

In order to receive an evaluation for Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation and/or independent living services, those qualifying as a "servicemember" must have a memorandum service-connected disability rating of 20% or greater and apply for vocational rehabilitation services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp|title=U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs|first=Philadelphia|last=IIT|access-date=June 19, 2016|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617181843/http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> Those qualifying as "veterans" must have received, or eventually receive, an honorable or other-than-dishonorable discharge, have a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more, and apply for services. Law provides for a 12-year basic period of eligibility in which services may be used, which begins on latter of separation from active military duty or the date the veteran was first notified of a service-connected disability rating. In general, participants have 48 months of program entitlement to complete an individual vocational rehabilitation plan. Participants deemed to have a "serious employment handicap" will generally be granted exemption from the 12-year eligibility period and may receive additional months of entitlement as necessary to complete approved plans.

===Chapter 32 (Veterans Educational Assistance Program)===
The Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) is available for those who first entered active duty between January 1, 1977, and June 30, 1985, and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in this education benefit program. Participants' contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis by the Government with a maximum allowable participant contribution of $2,700.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/veap.asp|title=Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - Education and Training|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref> (Maximum possible government contribution: $5,400. Maximum possible benefit: $8,100.) This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses.

===Chapter 33 (Post-9/11)===
{{Main|Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008}}
Congress, in the summer of 2008, approved an expansion of benefits beyond the current G.I. Bill program for military veterans serving since the [[September 11 attacks]] originally proposed by Democratic Senator [[Jim Webb]].  Beginning in August 2009, recipients became eligible for greatly expanded benefits, or the full cost of any public college in their state. The new bill also provides a housing allowance and $1,000 a year stipend for books, among other benefits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp|title=Post-9/11 GI Bill - Education and Training|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref>

The VA announced in September 2008 that it would manage the new benefit itself instead of hiring an outside contractor after protests by veteran's organizations and the [[American Federation of Government Employees]]. Veterans Affairs Secretary [[James B. Peake]] stated that although it was "unfortunate that we will not have the technical expertise from the private sector," the VA "can and will deliver the benefits program on time."<ref>Davenport, Christian, "Expanded GI Bill Too Late For Some", ''[[Washington Post]]'', October 21, 2008, p. 1.</ref>

In December 2010 Congress passed the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. The law, often referred to as G.I. Bill 2.0, expands eligibility for members of the National Guard to include time served on [[Title 32 of the United States Code|Title 32]] or in the full-time [[Active Guard Reserve|Active Guard and Reserve]] (AGR). It does not, however, cover members of the Coast Guard Reserve who have served under [[Title 14 of the United States Code|Title 14]] orders performing duties comparable to those performed by National Guard personnel under Title 32 orders.

The 2010 law also includes enrollment periods. In this case if the veteran is full-time, and the maximum BAH rate is $1500 per month, then the veteran will receive (13/30)x$1500 = $650 for the end of the first period of enrollment, then the veteran will receive (10/30)x$1500 = $500 for the beginning of the second period of enrollment. Effectively, the change in break-pay means the veteran will receive $1150 per month for August instead of $1500 per month. This has a significant impact in December - January BAH payments since most Colleges have 2-4 week breaks.

Another change enables active-duty servicemembers and their G.I. Bill-eligible spouses to receive the annual $1,000 book stipend (pro-rated for their rate of pursuit), adds several vocational, certification and OJT options, and removes the state-by-state tuition caps for veterans enrolled at publicly funded colleges and universities.

Changes to Ch. 33 also includes a new $17,500 annual cap on tuition and fees coverage for veterans attending private colleges and foreign colleges and universities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://military-education.military.com/2011/01/va-offers-more-details-on-gi-bill-changes/|title=Education|last=Military.com|access-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128053137/http://military-education.military.com/2011/01/va-offers-more-details-on-gi-bill-changes/|archive-date=January 28, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Chapter 34 (Vietnam Era G.I. Bill)===
The Vietnam Era G.I. Bill provided educational assistance for service members serving on Active Duty for more than 180 days with any portion of that time falling between January 31, 1955, and January 1, 1977.  To be eligible, service members must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.  There was no service member contribution for this program like Chapter 30 or 32.  This program was sunset on December 31, 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gibill.va.gov/Training/stakeholder/runtime/jobaids/glossary/glossarypages.html?chapter34-vietnameragibill
|title=Vietnam Era G.I. Bill (REAP)|website=www.gibill.va.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/docs/admin22/m22_4/part01/ch03.htm
|title=Vietnam Era G.I. Bill|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref>

===Chapter 35 (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program)===<!-- This section is linked from [[SDEAP] -->
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program delivers education and training advantages to dependents from eligible resources to veterans who have either have a terminal illness due to a service-related condition, or who were called to active duty or had a disability related to serving in the American forces in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.va.gov//education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance|title=Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance|date=November 15, 2019|website=Veterans Affairs|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324095550/https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/dependents-education-assistance/|archive-date=March 24, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> That program gives around 50 months of education benefits. However, there are still more opportunities. The benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on the job training. Spouses of veterans and former spouses are offered free courses occasionally.

===Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill- Selective Reserve)===
The Montgomery G.I. Bill&nbsp;— Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program may be available to members of the
Selected Reserve, including all military branch reserve components as well as the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. This benefit may be used for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_sr.asp|title=Montgomery GI Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) - Education and Training|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref>

===Chapter 1607 (Reserve Educational Assistance Program)===
{{Main|Chapter 1607 (G.I. Bill of Rights)}}
The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) was available to all reservists who, after September 11, 2001, complete 90 days or more of active duty service "in support of contingency operations." This benefit provided reservists return from active duty with up to 80% of the active duty (Chapter 30) G.I. Bill benefits as long as they remained active participants in the reserves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/reap.asp|title=Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) - Education and Training|website=www.benefits.va.gov}}</ref>  Chapter 1607 was sunset on November 25, 2019, to make way for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/reap/|title=Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)|website=www.benefits.va.gov|date=February 11, 2022}}</ref>