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Education benefits available for Guard called to active duty
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Veterans, this week let’s discuss an educational program that is available to our returning warriors in the National Guard. The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) provides educational assistance to members of the National Guard and Reserve components who are called or ordered to active duty service in response to a war or national emergency as declared by the president or Congress. A servicemember who serves on active duty on or after Sept.11, 2001, for at least 90 consecutive days or accumulates a total of three or more of years of service is eligible. Reserve or National Guard members whose eligibility is based upon continuous service receive a payment rate based upon their number of continuous days on active duty. Members who qualify after the accumulation of three or more years aggregate active duty service receive the full payment allowable. • 90 days but less than one year — $570.40 monthly • One year but less than two years — $855.60 monthly Two or more continuous years — $1,140.80 monthly Participants may pursue training at a college or university, or take technical training at any approved facility. Training includes undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate courses; state licensure and certification courses; courses for a certificate or diploma from business, technical or vocational schools; cooperative training; apprenticeship or on-the-job training; correspondence courses; independent study programs; flight training; entrepreneurship training; remedial, deficiency or refresher courses needed to complete a program of study; or preparatory courses for tests required or used for admission to an institution of higher learning or graduate school. Effective Jan. 28, 2008, members who are called up from the Selected Reserve, complete their REAP-qualifying period of active duty service and then return to the Selected Reserve for the remainder of their service contract have 10 years to use their benefits after separation. Reserve Education Assistance Program students in the work-study program may also assist with an activity relating to the administration of this education benefit at DOD, Coast Guard or National Guard facilities. The above are simplified guidelines; call me for additional information or to set up an appointment, 541-962-8802. I am located at the Center for Human Development, 2301 Cove Ave, La Grande.
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