Qualifying for Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserves Benefits
To qualify for Chapter 1606 benefits, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985. If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after Sept. 30, 1990.
- Complete your initial active duty for training.
- Meet the requirement to receive a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT. You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement.
- Remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit. You will also retain MGIB-SR eligibility if you were discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct. Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.
Other Factors to Consider
- Your eligibility for the program normally ends the day you leave the Selected Reserve.
- An exception exists if you are mobilized or recalled to active duty from your reserve status, in which case your eligibility may be extended for the amount of time you are mobilized plus four months. For example, if you are mobilized for 12 months, your eligibility period is extended for 16 months: 12 months of active duty plus four months. Even if you leave the Reserves after mobilization, you may have additional eligibility under the MGIB-SR.
- If your unit was deactivated during the period beginning Oct. 1, 2007, through Sept.
30, 2014, or you are involuntarily separated for reasons other than misconduct, you
will retain your original period of eligibility, which is 14 years from the date of
your first six-year obligation with the Selected Reserves.
Additional Details
Learn more about Chapter 1606 benefits.
Additional Benefit Sources for SC National Guard Members
- National Guard members may also be eligible for state tuition assistance. For more information, contact the South Carolina National Guard Education Office.
- The South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program offers financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard who enlist or stay active in the South Carolina Army or Air National Guard. For additional details, visit College Assistance Program.
Process and Documentation
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- after you are formally accepted to the university
- up to 120 days prior to the first day of class.
Documentation requirements:
- VA Form 22-1990
- Original copy of Notice of Basic Eligibility (recommended but not required)
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.
- A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA can substitute for VA Form 22-1990 and the NOBE.
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- after you are formally accepted to the university
- up to 120 days prior to the first day of class.
Documentation requirements:
- VA Change Form 22-1995
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.
- Copy of your Academic Transcript from my.sc.edu.
Your Certification of Enrollment will be sent to Muskogee VA Regional Processing electronically through the VA:
- up to 120 days prior to the first day of class.
Documentation requirement:
- Unexpired VA Form 28-1905 on file
- Complete an Enrollment Certification Request.