Montgomery GI Bill – Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607)
Montgomery GI Bill - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a Department of Defense education
benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the
Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or
national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or
Congress. This program makes certain reservists who were activated for at least
90 days after September 11, 2001 either eligible for education benefits or
eligible for increased benefits. This benefit may be used for degree and
certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and
correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be
approved under certain circumstances.
$600 Buy-up Program
Some reservists may contribute up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill to receive
increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive
up to $5400 in additional GI Bill benefits. You must be a member of a Ready
Reserve component (Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, or Inactive
National Guard) to pay into the “buy-up” program. For more information contact
your personnel or payroll office.
What is REAP?
REAP (Chapter 1607 of title 10, U.S. Code) is an education program that provides
up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves,
Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to
active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the
President or Congress.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility will be determined by the Department of Defense (DoD) or Department
of Homeland Security (DHS), as appropriate. Generally, a member of a Reserve
component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10,
U.S. Code, for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation, is
eligible for REAP. There is no specific time frame to use REAP; however, your
eligibility generally ends when you leave the Selected Reserves.
National Guard members are eligible if their active service extends for 90
consecutive days or more and their service is:
- authorized under section 502(f), title 32, U.S. Code,
- authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a
national emergency, and
- supported by federal funds.
How do I Apply?
You can apply by completing VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits or
you can apply online at vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.
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