Education & Training

Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)

Eligibility

Individual must enter active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, and receive an honorable discharge. An individual also may qualify for the full benefit by initially serving 2 continuous years on active duty, followed by 4 years of Selected Reserve service.

Participation

Service members have their military pay reduced $100 a month for the first 12 months of active duty.

Discharge

The discharge must be honorable. Discharges designated "under honorable conditions" and "general" do not establish eligibility.

Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserves)

Period of Eligibility

If a reservists stays in the Selected Reserve, benefits end 10 years from the date the reservist became eligible for the program. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may extend the 10-year period if the individual could not train due to a disability caused by Selected Reserve service. If a reservist leaves the Selected Reserve because of a disability, the individual may use the full 10 years. VA may also extend the 10-year period if the reservist was called to active duty during the Persian Gulf War.

Counseling

Counseling may be available for individuals who are eligible for VA educational assistance, who are on active duty and within 180 days of discharge, or who have been discharged one year or less under conditions other than dishonorable.

Work Study

Students who are drawing benefits under any veterans education program are eligible for work-study. Participants must train at the three-quarter or full-time rate. They will work under the supervision of a VA employee and may:

  • Perform other approved activities
  • Prepare and process VA paperwork
  • Provide outreach service
  • Work at a VA medical facility

Vocational Rehabilitation

Eligibility

Veterans and service members are eligible for vocational rehabilitation if three conditions are met:

  • They suffered a service-connected disability or disabilities in active service, and are receiving at least 20% compensation, or would do so but for receipt of military retirement pay.
  • They were discharged of released under other than dishonorable conditions or are hospitalized awaiting separation for a service-connected disability.
  • They need vocational rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap caused by their service-connected disability.

Benefits

A disabled veteran will be given an evaluation to establish eligibility. An eligible disabled veteran may receive:

  • Employment assistance
  • Self-employment assistance
  • Training in a rehabilitation facility and college
  • Other training

Severely disabled veterans may receive assistance to improve their ability to live independently.

Period of Rehabilitation Program

The veteran must complete a rehabilitation program 12 years from the date of discharge. This period may be extended if a medical condition prevented the veteran from training or if the veteran has a serious employment handicap. Disabled veterans may receive services until they have reached their rehabilitation goal, up to 48 months. VA may provide counseling, job placement and post-employment services for up to 18 additional months.

Rehabilitation Program Costs

While in training and for two years after completing training, eligible veterans may receive subsistence allowances in addition to their disability compensation or retirement pay. VA may pay the costs of:

  • Books
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Tuition and required fees

VA may also pay for special support, such as:

  • Lip-reading training
  • Prosthetic devices
  • Signing for the deaf
  • Tutorial assistance

Life Insurance

Two regular and two disabled insurance programs are currently open for new policy holders. Servicemen's Group Life Insurance is open to active-duty members of the uniformed services. Veterans' Group Life Insurance is available to individuals released from active duty after August 1, 1974, and to reservists. Service Disabled Insurance is available to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance provides mortgage life insurance for veterans granted specially adapted housing grants.