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EDUCATION BENEFITS PLENTIFUL AFTER DEPLOYMENT

EDUCATION BENEFITS  AFTER DEPLOYMENT
By Spc. Mark O’Rear, 444MPAD; photo illustration by Tech. Sgt. Mark Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA; Model:Sgt. Marsha Grant

To most Guard Members, the benefits and processes of the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) can be a little intimidating.

With the addition of a fairly new set of benefits, the MGIB- Reserve Educational Assistance Program Chapter 1607 (REAP), the odds and ends may seem unfathomable to comprehend. But fear not! There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Guard Members who are federally mobilized and serve for at least two years of continuous active duty may qualify for the MGIBAD (Chapter 30). However, if they had served less than two years, they would be entitled to nothing. With the addition of Chapter 1607, REAP, all that is going to change.

Chapter 1607 was created in October of 2004, which made certain individuals who were activated after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or an increase of current benefits. For service members who have used their GI Bill benefits or their benefits had expired this is a new set of education money. The modification was designed to provide a progressive ladder of MGIB benefits for Guard Members who had not reached that full two year requirement.

Chapter 1607 was designed to provide a progressive ladder of MGIB benefits for Guard Members who had not reached that full two year requirement.

The educational assistance allowed payable under Chapter 1607 is a percentage of the Chapter 30 three-year rate based on the number of continuous days served on active duty. The full-time rate in the table below is the rate for fulltime institutional training under Chapter 1607 on or after October 1, 2006. Part time students would receive less.

Under any one chapter of the MGIB, you may receive a maximum of 36 months of entitlements (units) at the full-time rate. Those eligible for both Chapter 30 and 1607 may receive a maximum of 48 units.

The main differences between the Chapter 1607 and 30 is that the 1607 does not require a $1,200 enrollment. Also unlike the Chapter 30, which expires 10 years after date of discharge, the 1607 has no expiration date and remains active until exhaustion of benefits or the Soldier leaves the Selected Reserve.

The money can be used not only for traditional colleges, but also for licensing or certification programs, technical schools and On-The-Job (OJT) apprenticeships like Helmets to Hardhats.

For more information call the Education Office at (609) 562-0975 or visit the website at www.nj.gov/military/education/ index.html.

With all that money and benefits up for grabs, don’t miss your chance to cash-in on your education.

Amount of time a Reserve
Member Serves on Active Duty
Percentage of
Ch. 30 (three-year rate)
Full-time Rate
(Eff. Oct. 1, 2006)
90 days but less than one year
40%
$440.40
One year but less than two years
60%
$660.60
Two years or more
80%
$880.80

 

Table of Contents
Volume 33 Number 5 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2008 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military