Can you use both the montgomery gi bill and the chapter 35 simultaneously for college?

2020-10-23T08:31:46-04:00

So I’ve used up my post 911 gi bill and im trying to pursue my master’s. I enlisted in the reserves and I believes reservists are entitled to the montgomery gi bill; however, my father was also a fully disabled vet after Vietnam so that makes me eligible for the ch 35 gi bill. Am I able to use both of these benefits for my masters?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 23 at 2020 9:00 AM

2020-10-23T09:00:26-04:00

Dude...

I’m no VA Benefits Specialist nor pretent to be on, but I’m pretty sure you are on your own!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2020 9:27 AM

2020-10-23T09:27:14-04:00

They both have limits on how long you are eligible. I believe the disability benefits should be used first.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Oct 23 at 2020 9:28 AM

2020-10-23T09:28:48-04:00

Check with VA. Although your father was a disabled veteran, GI Bill normally requires formal transfer to dependents. Drilling reservists may get Montgomery GI Bill, but there are special requirements and significant paperwork
https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) | Veterans Affairs

Learn about Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve benefits (MGIB-SR) available for education and training. Service members may be able to get up to 36 months of benefits as part of the MGIB-SR program.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 23 at 2020 11:09 AM

2020-10-23T11:09:18-04:00

There are some educational benefits for Reservists. The link is more "big picture" overview, than anything else, but it should give you an idea what might be available from the Reserves.

You may also want to check with your state to see if they offer education benefits. I inquired in my state when I was working towards my Masters, but as I was already getting the Post 9/11 GIB, I wasn't be eligible for anything from the state until I exhausted that federal benefit, which was fine.

https://www.goarmy.com/reserve/benefits/education.html

Army Reserve Tuition Assistance, Education Benefits & Loan Repayments

How do you plan on paying for college? Did you know the Army Reserve can help? Read how the Army can provide tuition assistance, student loan repayments and provide other educational benefits.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 23 at 2020 2:30 PM

2020-10-23T14:30:26-04:00

You are probably referring to VA DEA. That requires you to be under 26 years old when starting to draw that money. Chapter 35 ??? of what ?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Oct 23 at 2020 4:51 PM

2020-10-23T16:51:09-04:00

https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/2020/01/13/court-rules-again-to-give-veterans-access-to-both-post-911-and-montgomery-gi-bill-education-benefits/

From Jan:

"Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims issued its final ruling on the case of “BO vs Wilkie,” letting stand an earlier decision that the Department of Veterans Affairs practice of making veterans relinquish their Montgomery GI Bill eligibility in order to receive Post-9/11 GI Bill payouts is improper.

Federal officials argued in court that the arrangement is designed to make sure veterans aren’t doubling up on their government benefits for personal profit. But the court rejected that argument, saying that instead veterans eligible for both programs should receive each set of payouts, just not simultaneously."

"That means that veterans who use up their 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits would still have access to 12 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits if they paid into the program while they were serving. Under existing federal statute, any government higher education payouts are capped at 48 months."

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/veterans-military-funeral-honors/which-gi-bill-is-best-for-you

https://www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/

Honestly with Post 9/11 alone should cover a Masters degree. I have two Masters. The first one I used primarily TA and then 9/11 GI when I couldn't pay what was left after TA. And then I had 30 months left so I got a second Masters.

Court rules again to give veterans access to both Post-9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill education...

Federal officials have two months to appeal the ruling or start paying out potentially billions in new education benefits.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2020 11:18 PM

2020-10-24T23:18:38-04:00

If your Masters is in IT, just looking at your MOS. Do you know about VET TEC?

https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/vettec-high-tech-program/

And if your Masters is in STEM related field you can get an extension on your post 9/11

https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/stem-scholarship/

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