Understanding the Difference Between the Montgomery-SR and Post 9/11 GI Bills
There are SIGNIFICANT differences between the Post 9/11 and Montgomery-SR so it is important for Soldiers to understand the specifics.
While most Guard Soldiers may use the benefits of the Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill (MGIB-SR), eligible members called to active duty service may also have the option of using the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Commonly referred to as the Forever GI Bill, the Post 9/11 GI Bill was recently granted by Congress a number of expansions that may broaden benefits to Guard Soldiers.
The new revisions to the Post 9/11 GI Bill include:
- Removal of the 15-year delimiting date
- Full benefits to Purple Heart recipients
- Increased money for those pursuing a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree
- Broadened benefits eligibility for reserve component Soldiers
- Added protections for survivor Family members
National Guard members called to active duty – when a governor requests federal assistance in response to a major disaster or emergency, when the DoD mobilizes reserve components in support of a combatant command or, in some instances, when Soldiers serve full time on a Title 10 or Title 32 – may be eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill.
There are significant differences between the Post 9/11 and MGIB-SR, so it is important for Soldiers to understand the specifics when determining which to use.
While the average Guard Soldier will receive a larger set of bene ts from the Post 9/11 GI Bill, every Soldier’s circumstance is different. The best way to decipher which bill is best, is to determine what percentage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill a Soldier is eligible for and, based on that information, calculate which bill will pay out the higher level of funding. A State Education Service Of cer can help with this calculation.
The most significant difference between the two bills is the amount of money awarded each month and to whom that money is paid. The Post 9/11 GI Bill pays tuition cost to the school, and a books-and- supplies stipend, plus a monthly housing allowance directly to the student. The MGIB-SR requires that payments be made only to the student.
Additionally, unlike the MGIB-SR, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is transferable to dependents (spouse or child) and offers the ability to move the entitlement to a secondary dependent should the first beneficiary pass away before using the entitlement.
For the Post 9/11 to be transferable, a service member must have completed certain tasks. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, service members must have at least six years of service in the armed forces (combining years of service in reserve component and active duty is allowed) on the date of approval and agree to serve four additional years from the date of election in order to be eligible.
The breakout below offers further details on the benefits associated with the two bills.
Tuition
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: $375 per month for full-time students
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Up to 100%. Based on the amount of time served on qualifying active duty orders. 90 cumulative days for 40%; at least 6 cumulative months for 50%; at least 12 cumulative months for 60%; at least 18 cumulative months for 70%; at least 24 cumulative months for 80%; at least 30 cumulative months for 90%; at least 36 cumulative months for 100%
Payment Terms
- 36 Months
Payment Recipients
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: Student
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: School and Student
Expiration
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: While actively serving
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Never Expires if the qualifying service ended on or after January 1, 2013
Housing Allowance
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: No Coverage
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Available to Soldiers attending school more than half time. Based on the E-5 with dependents Basic Allowance for Housing Table. School ZIP code is used as location identifier for amount. Online-only students receive eligible percentage at a rate of half the national average.
Books
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: No coverage
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Up to $1000 per year paid proportionately based on enrollment
Tutoring
- Up to $100 reimbursed per month
Relocation for School
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: No Coverage
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Up to $500 if the service member is traveling over 500 miles from an extremely remote location
Apprenticeship or On-the-Job Training
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: First six months of training – $281.25 per month; second six months of training – $206.25 per month; remaining pursuit of training – $131.25 per month
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Equal to Monthly Housing Allowance of E-5 with dependents. School ZIP code is used as location identifier for amount. First 6 months – 100%; second 6 months – 80%
Ability to Transfer Benefits
- Montgomery Select Reserve GI Bill: No coverage
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: Service member must be in service when initiating transfer request. Must have served at least 6 years prior to transfer request and serve 4 additional years after request. Spouses may use benefits for lifetime. Children must use benefits before their 26th birthday.
Both the Montgomery Select Reserve and Post 9/11 GI Bills are excellent programs that help service members and their loved ones pursue their educational goals. For specific information on which program is best for you, talk to your State Education Service Officer. You may also visit GIBill.va.gov/Apply-For-Benefits or call 1-888-GI Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551).
By STAFF WRITER Keegan Rammel
