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Education benefits for Guard and Reserve members

Montgomery GI Bill, Selected Reserve

Selected Reserve members can qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill, Selected Reserve, a no-pay-in program available to reservists for as long as they are actively participating within a 14-year period. Those who qualify can receive financial assistance while attending school full or part time.

Reservists who became eligible for the program on or after Oct. 1, 1992, now have 14 years to use their benefits, which automatically increase each Oct. 1. Reservists now receive $297 per month while in school full time, with reduced rates for those attending half and quarter time, up to a total benefit of $10,692 for full-time study in Veterans Affairs-approved courses if they:

• Have made a six-year commitment in the Selected Reserve.

• Have completed initial active-duty training.

• Remain in a drilling status. Reservists in critical career fields may be eligible for an additional $100, $200 or $350 per month or $12,600 by using the GI Bill, Selected Reserve Kicker program, which is managed by each service.

Contact:

• Air Force Individual Mobilization augmentees: (800) 525-0102, Ext. 330; http://arpc.afrc.af.mil

• Air Force unit reservists, (800) 223-1784, Ext. 71267;www.afrc.af.mil

• Army Reserve Individual Mobiliz-ation augmentees: Army Human Resources Command-St. Louis, AHRC-PAP-R, 1 Reserve Way, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200;(314) 592-0504

• Army unit reservists: educational services specialist, Regional Support Command

• National Guard soldiers and airmen: state education officer

• Naval reservists: (800) 621-8853; http://navyreserve.navy.mil

• VA regional offices: www.va.gov/sta/ guide/home.asp?DIVISION=ALL or www.gibill.va.gov.