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Education & Employment

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

Up to 36 months of education payments, $508 a month full time from October 1, 2026, for a Guard or Reserve member with a six-year Selected Reserve obligation.

Also called: MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606, Selected Reserve GI Bill, Guard GI Bill, Reserve education.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve is a Defense Department benefit that VA pays. A member of the Selected Reserve, Army or Air National Guard, or a reserve component, qualifies with a six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve (or six years beyond an officer's initial obligation), a high school diploma or equivalent before finishing initial active duty for training, initial training complete, and continued good standing in a drilling unit. Rates, effective October 1, 2026 Full-time: $508.00 a month Three-quarter time: $408.00 a month Half time: $253.00 a month Less than half time: $127.00 a month Eligibility usually ends on leaving the Selected Reserve, with exceptions for disability and for units deactivated or members involuntarily separated from October 1, 2007, to September 30, 2014, who keep 14 years from the first obligation. Mobilization extends the period by the time mobilized plus four months. From August 1, 2026, a public school must charge an in-state rate to a Chapter 1606 student under 38 U.S.C. 3679(c), as already applied to Chapters 30, 31, 33 and 35. The unit's Notice of Basic Eligibility, DD Form 2384-1, comes first.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
Gate	Rule
Six-year Selected Reserve obligation	A six-year obligation in the Selected Reserve, and continued satisfactory participation.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed Social Security number
Where to get it Your Social Security card. Social Security replaces a lost card.
Listed by VA, How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits read 2026-10-10
Needed Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
Where to get it A check from the account, or your bank.
Listed by VA, How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits read 2026-10-10
Needed Education and military history
Where to get it Your school transcripts and diplomas, and your DD214 or other service records.
Listed by VA, How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits read 2026-10-10

Figures

Each figure is dated with the day it was read. A local figure moves whenever the statute or the local ordinance does, so confirm it with the office that grants it before you rely on it. Statute verified gives the day the weekly section check last found the statute standing on the legislature’s own code site; a figure without it rests on a statute the check does not read yet.

Dated figures for Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
Figure	Amount	Read from
Full-time monthly rate, effective October 1, 2026	$508.0010 U.S.C. 16131	Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve ratesRead 2026-10-08

Sources

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)Official
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve ratesOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.