Can I go on AGR or Active Reserve orders and still go to school full time using the GI Bill and still get the monthly housing it comes with?

2019-06-02T15:36:09-04:00

Considering going into AGR or Active Reserve but my question is if I can still attend full time classes using the GI Bill and receive the monthly housing allowance that comes with it along with the BAH.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jun 2 at 2019 3:51 PM

2019-06-02T15:51:51-04:00

If you go AGR your job comes first. There are limited AGR positions and if you went to school fulltime who would do the work?

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jun 2 at 2019 4:06 PM

2019-06-02T16:06:00-04:00

AGR is hard to get...maybe recruiter...My friend is in the AR and goes to school....and gets housing....look up the US code for the Chapter 33....read all about it.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-06-02T16:07:22-04:00

AGR (Active Guard/Reserve) are the active duty positions in the Guard and Reserve.
On orders, you would collect the actual BAH related to your grade, status of dependents and zip code of your place of duty.
And you would be expected to perform duties like any active duty Soldier, from 0900 to 1630.
You could continue to take any college courses that don't impact your ability to perform your active duty job, but the GI Bill would at least stop the BAH, as you would be eligible for real BAH.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 5:38 PM

2019-06-02T17:38:00-04:00

Being AGR, your status is Active duty (people confuse AD with Regular Army. Active duty is a status) so you receive everything that any other AD Soldier would get but you also work like every of AD Soldier does. It is your job full time. So, going to a brick and mortar school would be a bit of a challenge so I would suggest online schooling. Most people go to the Reserve so they can do school full time.

Like in mentioned earlier, AD is AD no matter the component so you’d already be receiving BAH based off of where you are stationed. You only get it once. It wouldn’t be doubled or anything. So, you would receive it no matter what.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 2 at 2019 7:55 PM

2019-06-02T19:55:12-04:00

I remember doing a full time GS job, lots of Reserve stuff and a full MS program with the old GI Bill. The result was no memory of anything other than the above for two years. You have to do your due diligence work thing. How you beat yourself up after hours is mostly your own business. BTW, inform your CoC of your plans. A good Command will support you, up to a point. Take the schooling in manageable bites. AD comes with various benefits which school doesn't affect, so the BAH is good to go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2019 10:13 PM

2019-06-02T22:13:56-04:00

Well, some of the people kind of answered your question, but I’ll confirm.

No. You cannot double dip BAH.

If you’re AD, RA or AGR, just use tuition assistance. Save the GI Bill for yourself later, or a family member.

I’m AGR now, and have been RA in the past. Feel free to ask anything you might be curious about.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2019 10:41 AM

2019-06-03T10:41:01-04:00

You cannot receive BAH and the housing benefit that the Post 9-11 GI Bill provides for students, at the same time. Once you get off active duty or AGR & attend classes part time or full time, you'll receive the housing benefit at the E-5 rate for your school's area/zip code. If it's part time, then you'll receive a prorated amount.