Paying for College

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) (Chapter 30) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible Service members and Veterans for programs such as: college, business, technical, or vocational school; apprenticeship / on-the-job training; correspondence courses; remedial, deficiency, and refresher training (in some cases). You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be fewer or more years depending on the situation.

What you Need to Know:

• You will be required to verify attendance monthly by calling 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378) or using the WAVE online system.
• You only receive your full benefit amount if you had 36 months of service and are enrolled full time in school.
• The MGBI pays you and you pay the school.

You qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill if:

1. You contribute $100 a month for the first 12 months you are active duty, or qualify under VEAP conversion.
2. You completed High School or equivalency certificate before applying for benefits.
3. You served at least 2 years on active duty.
4. You received an Honorable discharge.

See Monthly Educational Assistance Allowance effective October 1, 2022.

The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program, sometimes referred to as Chapter 31 or Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab), helps veterans with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs.

For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible. Depending on your situation, VR&E may pay for educational expenses, including books or additional materials needed for class.

Contact a Veteran Readiness Counselor in Missouri at (314)253-4100.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill  (Chapter 33) can help you pay for education or job training if you served on active duty after September 10, 2001 and qualify for benefit. You will have 15 years to use your Post-9/11 benefits if your discharge date was before January 1, 2013. Those discharged after January, 1, 2013 have no expiration of benefits.

What you Need to Know:

• You only receive your full benefit amount if you had 36 months of service and are enrolled full time in school.
• You receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) based on your location. *You must be in one seated class to get the location rate.
• You can receive up to a $1000 yearly book stipend, which is roughly $41.67 per credit hour.
• You must be enrolled more than 50% (more than 6 hours in fall or spring) to receive your BAH.
• The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays the school for eligible tuition & fees.
• If you choose to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) instead of the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD or Chapter 30), you cannot switch at some later date to use MGIB-AD. If you decide to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the VA will refund part or all payments you made into MGIB-AD. Learn more about Montgomery GI Bill refunds

You qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill if:

1. Served at least 90 days active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
2. Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
3. Served for at least 30 continuous days (without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
4. Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran

See Payment Rates effective August 1, 2022.

The Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) (Chapter 1606) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve, including Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Reserves. It also includes Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.

You must be an Active Reservist to use this benefit.

What you Need to Know:

• You will be required to verify attendance monthly by calling 1-877-VA-ECERT (1-877-823-2378) or using the WAVE online system.
• You only receive your full benefit amount if you had 36 months of service and are enrolled full time in school.
• The MGBI pays you and you pay the school.

You qualify for the MGBI Select Reserves Bill if:

1. After June 30, 1985, you signed a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve
2. You completed your Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT)
3. You got your high school diploma or GED before you completed your IADT
4. You are in good standing in a drilling Selected Reserve unit

See the Monthly Educational Assistance Allowance effective October 1, 2022.