Weighing GI Bill Options

Military personnel that choose to continue using their Montgomery GI Bill (and not immediately make the jump to the Post 9/11 GI Bill) might be able to receive an additional 12 months of benefits.

The normal transferability rules between the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill are as follows: for as many months of entitlement you have remaining under the Montgomery GI Bill, that is the amount of months granted to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill. However, if the Montgomery GI Bill is completely exhausted, then the military personnel applies for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, they may receive up to 12 additional months of benefits, for a total of 48 months.

Here’s an example provided by Jack Mordente, director of Veterans Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University:

“I have a veteran who has 6 months of GI Bill and 4 semesters to graduate. He can use the 6 months to exhaust his Chapter 30 [MGIB]. With our 9 month academic year he will be paid 3 months over his 36 months. He then transfers to Chapter 33 [Post-9/11 GI Bill] and gets 9 more months and finishes his degree.”

On May 11th the VA encouraged anyone considering enrolling in the new GI Bill “to get educated about it first” because it is an irrevocable decision.

The five questions suggested:

1. Which benefits pay more?
2. What tier of benefits am I eligible for under new bill?
3. What type of training do I want to pursue?
4. How long do I expect to take to use the benefit?
5. Do I plan to attend school less that fulltime?

Jack suggests two more:

1. How many months do you have left on your current GI Bill?
2. How many semesters do you have left to graduate?

For many active duty personnel, reserve members, and veterans, it may be better to wait until you have expended your 36 months of MGIB before applying for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Make sure to talk to a VA representative to find out if you are eligible for extending your benefits another 12 months. You can reach the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1.

Reference

Howell, Terry. “Switching to the GI Bill? Not so fast!” Military.com. http://military-education.military.com/2009/05/plan-to-switch-to-the-post911-gi-bill-not-so-fast.html.