FAQ:
Effect of Call-Up to Active Duty on VA Education Benefits
Montgomery
GI Bill-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) What
if I am receiving chapter 1606 benefits and I am called up
and have to drop out of school without receiving credit?
You
are entitled to chapter 1606 benefits through the date you
dropped out of school.
If
you were called up under title 10 (federal authority), VA
will restore the entitlement you were charged for the period
that you received benefits. For example, if you were in school
one month and had to drop out, you keep the money for that
period and VA will add back a month to your entitlement for
you to use at a later time. If you were called up under title
32 (State authority), you don't receive the entitlement restoration
benefit.
If
you have been overpaid education benefits, VA will not pursue
collection action if you are deployed to a combat area.
What
is the effect of call-up on my period of eligibility for chapter
1606?
If you are activated for even one day under title 10, VA will
extend your period of eligibility by the period of your active
duty plus 4 months. You will receive a separate extension
for each call-up. This extension is not available if you were
called up under title 32.
Can
I continue to use chapter 1606 after I have been called up?
In general yes. This is a decision by your military component.
Where
can I get additional information?
Go to www.gibill.va.gov. From there, you can email VA if you
need more assistance.
Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty)
(Chapter 30)
Questions affecting those already eligible for chapter 30
What
if I’m receiving chapter 30 benefits and I’m
called up and have to drop out of school without receiving
credit?
You
are entitled to chapter 30 benefits through the date you dropped
out of school.
If
you were called up under title 10 (federal authority), VA
will restore the entitlement you were charged for the period
that you received benefits. For example, if you were in school
one month and had to drop out, you keep the money for that
period and VA will add back a month to your entitlement for
you to use at a later time. If you were called up under title
32 (State authority), you don't receive the entitlement restoration
benefit.
If
you have been overpaid education benefits, VA will not pursue
collection action if you are deployed to a combat area.
What
if I am already on active duty and must stop school due to
a new duty assignment or increased workload?
The same principle applies as if you were called up to active
duty. You are entitled to chapter 30 benefits through the
date you dropped out and you are entitled to the entitlement
restoration benefit.
What
are the effects of call-up on my period of eligibility?
Your
period of eligibility (commonly called your delimiting period)
is extended from your last date of discharge or release from
active duty provided you serve at least 90 days on active
duty. There is an exception to the 90-day requirement if you
are discharged or released for a service connected disability,
for a non-service connected medical condition which preexisted
the later active duty service, for hardship, or because of
a reduction in force for the convenience of the government.
You would not receive this extension of your eligibility if
you were called up under title 32 (State authority) for operational
purposes within your State.
Can
I receive benefits during the call-up period?
Yes if you established chapter eligibility before the call-up.
Montgomery
GI Bill (Active Duty) (Chapter 30)
Questions affecting those not already eligible for chapter
30
What
if I am called up for less than 2 years under title 10 and
I have never established chapter 30 eligibility?
Service resulting from call up under title 10 is generally
not qualifying
for chapter 30.
What
if I am called up for 2 years or more?
You will be eligible for chapter 30 in most cases unless you
decline chapter 30 in writing.
What
if I am initially called up for less than 2 years but I am
extended so that I do serve at least 2 years?
In most cases, you will be eligible for chapter 30.
Does
the military collect $1,200 from me if I am going to be eligible
for chapter 30?
Yes.
Can
I use the same period of active duty to establish eligibility
under both chapters 30 and 1606?
No. One period of service can only be used to establish eligibility
to one program or the other. You can choose whichever is best
for you.
Can
I receive benefits while called up?
If you are establishing eligibility based on the call-up period,
you must wait until you have served 24 months to use your
benefits. If you were already eligible for chapter 30 when
you were called up, you may begin using benefits immediately.
What
if I am in the National Guard and I am called up under title
32?
Such service may be qualifying for chapter 30 if it is for
the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing,
or training the national guard.
Can
I contribute $600 while on active duty and receive an increase
in my chapter 30 benefits?
Yes if you are already eligible for chapter 30 and you first
entered active duty after June 30, 1985. Otherwise No.
Where
can I get additional information?
Go to www.gibill.va.gov. From there, you can email VA if you
need more assistance.
VEAP (Veterans Educational Assistance
Program -- Chapter 32)
What
if I am receiving chapter 32 benefits and I am called up and
have to drop out of school without receiving credit?
You
are entitled to chapter 32 benefits through the date you dropped
out of school.
If
you were called up under title 10 (federal authority), VA
will restore the entitlement you were charged for the period
that you received benefits. For example, if you were in school
one month and had to drop out, you keep the money for that
period and VA will add back a month to your entitlement for
you to use at a later time. If you were called up under title
32 (State authority), you don't receive the entitlement restoration
benefit.
If
you have been overpaid education benefits, VA will not pursue
collection action if you are deployed to a combat area.
What
if I am already on active duty and must stop school due to
a new duty assignment or increased workload?
The same principle applies as if you were called up to active
duty. You are entitled to chapter 32 benefits through the
date you dropped out and you are entitled to the entitlement
restoration benefit.
What
are the effects of call-up on my period of eligibility?
Your period of eligibility (commonly called your delimiting
period) is extended from the last date of discharge or release
from active duty provided you serve at least 90 days on active
duty. There is an exception to the 90-day requirement if you
are discharged or released for a service connected disability,
for a non-service connected medical condition which preexisted
the later active duty service, for hardship, or because of
a reduction in force for the convenience of the government.
You would not receive this extension of your eligibility if
you were called up under title 32 (State authority) for any
reason.
Can
I receive benefits during the call-up period?
Yes.
Where
can I get additional information?
Go to www.gibill.va.gov. From there, you can email VA if you
need more assistance.
Dependents Educational Assistance
(Chapter 35)
What
if I am receiving chapter 35 benefits and I am called up and
have to drop out of school without receiving credit?
You
are entitled to chapter 35 benefits through the date you dropped
out of school.
If
you were called up under title 10 (federal authority), VA
will restore the entitlement you were charged for the period
that you received benefits. For example, if you were in school
one month and had to drop out, you keep the money for that
period and VA will add back a month to your entitlement for
you to use at a later time. If you were called up under title
32 (State authority), you don't receive the entitlement restoration
benefit.
If
you have been overpaid education benefits, VA will not pursue
collection action if you are deployed to a combat area.
What
are the effects of call-up on my period of eligibility?
If you are activated during your period of eligibility under
title 10, VA will extend your period of eligibility by the
period of your active duty plus 4 months. You will receive
a separate extension for each call-up. This type of extension
is in addition to the extension you would receive for your
first period of military service which occurs between your
18th and 26th birthdays. Under the latter extension, your
eligibility period would extend 8 years from your release
from active duty from this period of service but not beyond
your 31st birthday.
Example:
You are eligible for chapter 35 between your 18th and 26th
birthdays. You are called to active duty for 12 months from
March 1, 2003, at age 20 and you are discharged on February
28, 2004. Because of your first period of active duty, your
period of eligibility would be extended 8 years from February
28, 2004. Because of your call-up, you would receive one additional
year plus 4 months.
Can
I receive benefits during the call-up period?
No. You may not receive chapter 35 benefits while you are
on active duty.
Where
can I get additional information?
Go to www.gibill.va.gov. From there, you can email VA if you
need more assistance.
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