Financial Benefits

Benefits for prevously deployed Service Members

New GI Bill (Chapter 33)/"Post 9/11"

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. Individuals who are eligible for the new benefit may begin using the benefit August 1st, 2009 for training that begins on or after that date.

Eligibility - only active duty service performed after September 10th, 2001 may be considered for determining eligibility for this new benefit. To be eligible, a Service Member or veteran must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty.

Benefits - the maximum basic benefit provides the following:

• Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning in the state you are attending school
• Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to an E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as the school
• Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year

The maximum basic benefit is earned after serving an aggregate of 36 months of active duty service or after 30 days of continuous service for those individuals who were discharged for a service-connected disability. Individuals serving between 90 days and 36 months of aggregate active duty service will be eligible for a percentage of the maximum benefit.

Because of the complexity of the new Chapter 33 Education Benefits, before making a final decision about which GI Bill benefits to use, visit with a Higher Education Veterans Programs Regional Coordinator at 1-800-456-8519 or call an operator at the GI Bill call center at 1-888-442-4551. You can also visit the MyMilitaryEducation Web site or the GI Bill Web Site for more information.

Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP 1607)

Eligibility:

• Mobilized 90 days or more, ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress
• Disabled members who are injured or have an illness or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and are released from active duty before completing 90 consectutive days are also eligible

Benefits:

• 40% of the Active Duty MGIB for 90 consecutive days but less than one continuous year
• 60% of the Active Duty MGIB for one continuous year but less than two continuous years
• 80% of the Active Duty MGIB for two continuous years or more

To apply for MGIB REAP 1607, contact the VA Certifying Official at your College or University.

State Tuition Reimbursement (STR)

Eligibility:

Service Members who were deployed and have now satisfactorily completed their service contract in the Minnesota National Guard.

Benefits:

• This benefit can be used for up to a period of 2 years plus the deployment length of time
• The lifetime maximum STR benefit is still 208 quarter or 144 Semester credits

To apply for STR benefits, send an email to education@mn.ngb.army.mil requesting information on STR Extended.

Benefits for active drilling members of the Minnesota National Guard in good standing

ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

Eligibility:

Traditional Service Members and officers of the Army National Guard are eligible for FTA.

Benefits:

• 100% of a member's tuition and authorized fees (further limited by semester/quarter hour caps)
• Paid upfront and directly to the school after ADD/DROP date

For current rates and application information, visit the Virtual Army Web site

State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) Program

Eligibility:

Minnesota National Guard Service Members with the rank of E1 to O5, including Warrant Officers are eligible for the STR Program.

Benefits:

• Lifetime maximum benefits is 208 quarter or 144 semester credits
• Maximum reimbursement is 100% of the undergraduate tuition rate of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Campus upon successful completion of the coursework

To apply, contact your full-time unit representative.


More "Education Resources" pages:
Education Resources
Advising and Planning Programs

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