Understanding VA benefit chapters

GI Bill

The GI Bill® is a federally funded program through the Department of Veterans Affairs that helps make college more affordable to eligible veterans and their eligible dependents. Each program differs in eligibility requirements, as well as what kind of aid the veteran/dependent student should expect to receive. Listed below are the different chapters of the GI Bill® in which LSU participates.

For more information about the GI Bill®, please visit va.gov/education.

https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/

Chapter 30-Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) Service members only

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) can help you pay for education and training programs. If you’ve served at least 2 years on active duty, find out if you qualify for the MGIB-AD program.

You may qualify for additional entitlement under the Rudisill decision

If you have 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty, you may now qualify for up to 48 months of entitlement. You must be eligible for benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

Note: Even if you gave up your right to use MGIB-AD benefits in the past (we call this “relinquishing” your benefits), you may now qualify to use some of that entitlement. 

Find out if you can use more than 1 education benefit

Chapter 30-Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) Service members only

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Find out if you qualify.

Am I eligible for education benefits under the MGIB-SR program?

You may be eligible for education benefits under this program if you meet these requirements.

One of these must be true:

• You have a 6-year service obligation (you agreed to serve 6 years) in the Selected Reserve, or

• You’re an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to serve 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation

Note: Your obligation must have started after June 30, 1985, or for some types of training after September 30, 1990.

And all of these must also be true:

1. You complete your initial active duty for training (IADT), and

2. You get a high school diploma or certificate of equal value, like a High School Equivalency Diploma or GED, before finishing IADT (Note: You can’t use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement), and

3. You stay in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit
   (Note: You’ll still be eligible if you’re discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct)

Chapter 31-Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Veteran only

If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.

Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill Service members and their family

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB), or Chapter 33, helps you pay for school or cover expenses while you’re training for a job. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Find out if you can get this education benefit.

You may qualify for additional entitlement under the Rudisill decision

If you have 2 or more qualifying periods of active duty, you may now qualify for up to 48 months of entitlement. You must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD).

Note: Even if you gave up your right to use MGIB-AD benefits in the past (we call this “relinquishing” your benefits), you may now qualify to use some of that entitlement. 

Chapter 35- (DEA) Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Service-members families

As the family member of a Veteran, you may be eligible for VA education benefits, including money for school or to help you cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Find out how to get and manage these benefits.

Chapter 1606-Montgomery GI Bill Selected Service Reserve-Veteran

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) program offers up to 36 months of education and training benefits. If you’re a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be eligible for this benefit. Find out if you qualify.

You may be eligible for education benefits under this program if you meet these requirements.

One of these must be true:

• You have a 6-year service obligation (you agreed to serve 6 years) in the Selected Reserve, or

• You’re an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to serve 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation

Note: Your obligation must have started after June 30, 1985, or for some types of training after September 30, 1990.

And all of these must also be true:

1. You complete your initial active duty for training (IADT), and

2. You get a high school diploma or certificate of equal value, like a High School Equivalency Diploma or GED, before finishing IADT (Note: You can’t use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement), and

3. You stay in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit
   (Note: You’ll still be eligible if you’re discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct)

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