Active Duty National Guardsmen And Reservists Receive An Increase In Educational Benefits
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As more assistance is being handed down to service members, guardsmen and reservists proudly serving their country are not left out of the loop. The Department of Veterans Affairs increased and improved educational benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserves serving active duty.
The New Educational Benefits For Guardsmen And ReservistsBefore, guardsmen and reservists had to be in the service for two continuous years, whereas now service members with three years of active duty could be eligible for the maximum amount under the Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP), no matter how long their breaks were in active duty. REAP currently doles out a maximum payment of $880 per month. These benefits will be available for up to 10 years after leaving the service.
In 2007, over 60,000 National Guardsmen and reservists received REAP benefits. The revision comes as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which increases the period of eligibility for service members who complete their tour of duty before leaving the reserve.
Other Ways The Increase Benefits Active Duty Guardsmen And ReservistsIn addition to the general increase, those that are eligible for REAP may be able to add more to their monthly rates. Guardsmen and reservists can get an extra $5 for every $20 they contribute, with a cap at $600. Over time, this can add up to $5,400 extra to the total of the 36 months of educational benefits.
Guardsmen or reservists participating in REAP and the GI Bill program will be able to receive faster payments if they are pursuing a non-degree program that is less than two years.
Not Enough Done For Active Duty Guardsmen And Reservists?Steve F. Kime, from the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, claims that the VA is a bureaucratic mess that needs to consolidate education benefits and standardize active-duty benefits across the board. “If you’re calling up some of these kids for two or three tours in Iraq and asking them to do everything an active-duty person does,” said Kime, “they ought to receive the same benefits as the guys they’re sitting in the foxhole with.”
With over 500,000 National Guardsmen and reservists mobilized since 2001, and with many serving multiple tours, there has been little room to complete college or earn a degree. The lack of military members means that increased benefits are discouraged in order to hold onto troops. Much of the information, particularly for guardsmen and reservists, is incorrect since the laws keep changing and their eligibility for certain benefits is often questioned. However, these new increases will definitely help those that have served get the chance to further their education.
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