Education Benefits for Members of the Reserves

As a member of the Reserves, benefits are available to you to help fund your post-secondary education and support your personal and professional development. Benefits include Tuition Assistance, the GI Bill, the Top Up program, and more.

Military Reserves Tuition Assistance (TA)

Reservists can claim up to 100 percent of Tuition Assistance which can pay for college courses taken during off-duty hours. This can equal up to $250 TA per semester hour, with an annual maximum of $4,500. Members of the National Guard can also claim tuition assistance, though rates and eligibility vary between the service branches. TA can be used to fund on-campus and distance learning, offering a great deal of flexibility to servicemembers.

Voluntary Education Benefits Programs

Army

GoArmyEd is a virtual gateway designed to support Army personnel access learning opportunities. The portal can be used to request TA, learn about Army Continuing Education System (ACES) programs and services, link to eArmyU, and get information about Army Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOCAD).

eArmyU is an online learning portal providing accessible, flexible online learning opportunities plus information and guidance.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) is a consortium of colleges and universities that offer easy transfers of credits for servicemembers who move between schools in the network. The Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) is a partnership of colleges that works with the SOC to encourage continued education.

Navy

The Navy College Program is the Navy's center for personal and professional development. The Navy College Program site has additional information about TA and other voluntary education opportunities and funding.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corp Lifelong Learning Programs Branch (MRV) provides information and learning opportunities for marine personnel.

SMART Transcripts provides Marine Corps personnel with an official document endorsing college credit for military education and training. The Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE).

Air Force

Air University is the Air Force's education center, offering military and civilian education and training by incorporating the Community College of the Air Force.

Coast Guard

Coast Guard reservists have access to funding, information, and education opportunities that are similar to those of the other service branches.

GI Bill Reserve

Since 1944, the GI Bill has provided millions of servicemembers with educational benefits. Today, those benefits extend to servicemembers in the Reserves. Three key GI Bill Reserve programs include the Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB - SR), the Military Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP), and the Buy-Up Program.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB - SR). Members of the Selected Reserve are eligible for funding for training or education under the Educational Assistance Allowance.

Military Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP). If you serve on active duty for a contingency operation and serve a minimum of 90 consecutive days after September 11 2001, you could be eligible for funding under REAP.

$600 Buy-up Program. If you are a member of a Ready Reserve component, you could be eligible for taking advantage of the "buy-up" program. In this program, contributions of up to $600 could result in up to $5,400 in additional GI Bill benefits.

For more information, speak to your Education Service Specialist (ESS), who should be able to help you determine the benefits that will best fit your educational needs.

Karin has been a freelance writer for several years. She has a PhD and a background in education and research.