Applying for benefits
Contact the MU Veterans Center for help applying for benefits.
If you plan to apply for the Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB), please bring to the MU Veterans Center a copy of your DD-214 (for prior active duty) or, if you are in the Guard or Reserves, a copy of your Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE). If you have received a Certificate of Eligibility sent to you by the VA, please bring it with you. If you have questions or you do not have these documents, please contact us for further information.
If you have applied for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, please bring either a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility or a copy of the application for those benefits.
Contact our office at 573-884-4383 before applying for MGIB or Post-9/11 benefits to discuss which bill would give you the maximum benefits.
Missouri’s Returning Heroes Act, combined with the Montgomery GI Bill®, could give you the largest amount of financial support for the longest period of time (48 months).
We can assist you with any of the other VA benefits listed below. The VA GI Bill® website, www.gibill.va.gov, contains application forms as well as explanations of the benefits. The information may be overwhelming; once you have narrowed down your options, please give us a call at 573-884-4383 or email us at veterans@missouri.edu for additional help.
Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB)
Military personnel who have served 36 months on active duty with honorable discharge
- Up to 36 months of benefits
- Additional 12 months of Chapter 33 benefits after exhaustion of Chapter 30 benefits
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve
Reservists with no deployments and a 6-year obligation
- Up to 36 months of benefits
- Must have completed basic training and advanced individual training (AIT) to receive Chapter 1606 benefits
- Eligible for tuition assistance after basic training
Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
Reservists or guardsmen who have served in combat
- Up to 36 months of benefits
- Additional 12 months of Chapter 33 after complete exhaustion of Chapter 1607
- A member called or ordered to active service while serving in the Selected Reserve remains entitled to benefits under REAP only by continuing to serve in the Selected Reserve
Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Veterans who have service-related disabilities of more than 10 percent
- Benefit covers tuition, fees, necessary bookstore supplies (may include computers) and a monthly stipend
- Separate application from other GI Bill® benefits
- If deemed eligible, assigned a vocational rehabilitation counselor
Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA)
Dependents of veterans who have a 100 percent service-connected disability or are deceased due to service or a service-connected disability
- Up to 45 months of education benefits
- Spouses may use the benefits for correspondence courses
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®
Military personnel who completed at least 90 days of aggregate service after Sept. 10, 2001, or who developed service-connected disabilities after 30 days
- Up to 36 months of benefits
- Pays highest public in-state tuition
- Can be used for any program
- BAH of E-5 with dependents while school is in session
- Prorated for student’s rate of pursuit (course load)
- For online only, pays half the national average
- Transferable to dependents
If you are a veteran and a resident of Missouri (on your DD-214) and you have served in a combat location, contact the MU Veterans Center at 573-884-4383 to discuss your benefits. Because of the Missouri Returning Heroes Act, you may have options that will offer more financial support. If you are a veteran who wants to transfer your benefits to a dependent, please contact the Veterans Center for more information.
| Member Services | Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable |
|---|---|
| At least 36 months | 100 percent |
| At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service-related disability | 100 percent |
| At least 30 months, but fewer than 36 months | 90 percent |
| At least 24 months, but fewer than 30 months | 80 percent |
| At least 18 months, but fewer than 24 months | 70 percent |
| At least 12 months, but fewer than 18 months | 60 percent |
| At least 6 months, but fewer than 12 months | 50 percent |
| At least 90 days, but fewer than 6 months | 40 percent |
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.