An Introduction to Army Reserve Education Benefits
While many of the programs available to members of the Army and Army Reserve are similar, some programs are unique to the Reserve. If you are a reservist, here is a list of programs that could help you complete your post-secondary education.
Army Reserve Tuition Assistance (TA)
Army Reserve Tuition Assistance helps you increase your professional and personal development by paying you up to $250 per credit hour to take college courses. TA has an annual cap of $4,500.
Army Reserve Voluntary Education Programs
As a reservist, you can use other programs, including GoArmyEd or SOCAD to pursue a post-secondary education.
- GoArmyEd. A virtual electronic gateway you use to sign up for TA, access college courses and reports, and sign up for eArmy courses.
- eArmy. With eArmy, you declare a "home" college, but can take courses from other schools closer to where you are stationed that are transferred back.
- Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOCAD). A network of over 1,950 Army-approved schools offering two and four-year undergraduate degree programs. Schools within the SOCAD network guarantee you will not lose credits if you transfer within their network.
- Concurrent Admissions Program (CONAP). At enlistment, you set up a college plan to use your military education benefits. You can choose from over 1,950 participating SOC schools where you can take classes and earn credits for your military training.
GI Bill Reserve
Created in 1944 by President Roosevelt, the GI Bill is vital to helping servicemembers complete their post-secondary educations. Today, the GI Bill offers educational benefits to Reserve members as well.
Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR). The MGIB-SR pays you to go to school for up to 36 months. As long as you stay in the Reserves, you have 14 years to use your benefit. Once discharged, however, your benefit ends. GI Bill Reserve eligibility includes:
- signing a six-year enlistment
- obtaining your high school diploma
- completing initial active duty for training (IADT)
- maintaining satisfactory membership in the Reserves
MGIB "Kicker". The Army Reserve version of the Army College Fund, it can be used concurrently with the MGIB-SR and pay you to go to school. If available, kickers are offered when you enlist in designated units and certain MOSs.
Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP). REAP applies to Reservists ordered to active duty after September 10, 2001. If your active duty was for at least 90 continuous days, you may qualify. With REAP, there isn't a time limit to use your education benefit, however, you must remain a Reserve member to use it.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
Depending on how much college you have left, you may qualify for a two, three, or four -year program. You have to agree to accept an officer commission and serve four years in the Reserves. In return, you get a full-tuition scholarship or room and board, plus a monthly living expense.
Federal Student Aid
You also have access to federal aid programs as a member of the Reserves. Options include:
- College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP). If you opt for CLRP when you enlist for six years, you can get up to $40,000 of existing student loans paid, however, you can't get the MGIB-SR also.
- Loans. With the common Stafford loan, the money can come from two different programs. Both programs are basically equal, but the repayment plans differ.
- Grants. Pell grants are basic grants to which other federal and non-federal aid is added. They do not have to be paid back.
As a Reservist, be sure to take advantage of the educational benefits available to you, from the GI Bill to federal loans--they could make the difference in completing a post-secondary education.
Learn more about Reserve education benefits:
This list does not include all schools that accept GI Bill funding. For a full list of schools by state, click here.
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs: Master of Mgmt, B.S. in Health Administration - Emergency Management, B.S. in Business/Public Sector, more...
Earn your English language teaching certification with Bridge. Our International Diploma in English Language Teaching program can be completed in just one month and will qualify you to teach English in classrooms all over the world.
Programs: Bridge Certificate in English Language Teaching
American Military University's online programs can prepare you to succeed in a civilian or military career. Choose from more than 70 Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degree programs.
Programs: B.A. in General Studies, A.A. in Accounting, A.S. in Explosive Ordnance Disposal, more...
Purdue University offers a strong foundation of tradition and history, an environment of intellectual curiosity and discovery, and a supportive, student-centered approach to learning.
Programs: MS in Education in Learning Design and Technology
We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.
Programs: PhD in Counseling - Pastoral Counseling , BS in Business - Marketing , MA in Worship Studies - Church Planting, more...
Considering a new career or need additional job training? Whether you want to train for a new career, advance within your current company, or simply learn new skills to stay competitive in today's job market, Allied's distance education training can help! Because the courses are offered online and through traditional distance education, the stress associated with driving to and attending a live class is eliminated. Start your new career training today, start it with Allied Schools.
Programs: Virginia Real Estate License, Quickbooks Course, Computerized Financial Accounting, more...
Earn your degree without disrupting your life with Argosy University's flexible online programs in business, education and psychology. Benefit from experienced faculty, personalized service, and a supportive community.
Programs: Management (MBA), Forensic Psychology - Law Enforcement Concentration (MA), Accounting (DBA), more...
Start your career with an education from Anna Maria College. We are a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university that offers online degree programs as an alternative to our traditional campus courses.
Programs: Master of Public Administration - Justice Administration, RN to BSN, Master of Public Administration - Health Care Administration, more...
Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters or a doctoral degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals.
Programs: LLM in International Finance and Banking Law, MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management, Master of Science in Project Management, more...
Regis University offers a rich tradition of Jesuit education to enrich your life and further your career.
Programs: MBA: General, MS in Organizational Leadership (MS-OL), MS in Organization Leadership: Enterprise Resource Leadership and Planning, more...
Disclaimer: Armystudyguide.com does not guarantee the schools listed above accept GI Bill funding. Please check with the school before enrolling.
