Reserve Educational Assistance Program - Chapter 1607

What is REAP?

REAP was established as a part of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. It is a new Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency (contingency operation) as declared by the President or Congress. The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security will determine who is eligible for this program. The Department of Veterans Affairs will administer the program and pay benefits from funds contributed by DOD.

Who qualifies for REAP?

The Secretaries of each military service, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security (Coast Guard) will determine eligibility and establish the program to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserves of the armed forces who are called to duty for 90 days or more. Members may be eligible after serving 90 consecutive days on active duty after September 11, 2001.

You will receive 36 months of full time entitlement at your given rate. A REAP participant may not use more than 48 months of entitlement under any combination of VA Educational programs.

What is the Period of Eligibility?

REAP participants who separated from the Selected Reserve after completing their service contract under other than dishonorable conditions are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years after they are separated from the Selected Reserve.

Details of the New Provision. 

(1)  Members who were called up from the Selected Reserve, completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then returned to the Selected Reserve for the remainder of their service contract are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation.  In addition, members who were called up from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then entered the Selected Reserve to complete their service contract are now eligible for REAP benefits for 10 years upon separation.

(2) Members who were called up from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) or the Inactive National Guard (ING), completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, and then returned to the IRR/ING are not eligible for the 10-year post service eligibility period.

(3) Members who were called up from the Selected Reserve, completed their REAP qualifying period of active duty service, returned to the Selected Reserve, and later transferred to the IRR/ING are not eligible for the 10-year post service eligibility period.

What about members released for disability?

Members released early for disabilities incurred or aggravated, in the line of duty, receive REAP benefits at the rate they were qualified for when they were released. For example, if a claimant served on active duty of one year and 6 months prior to being released, he or she would be entitled to receive benefits at the 60% rate for as long as they're entitled to REAP benefits. Members released prior to completing 90 days of active duty service would be entitled to benefits at the 40% rate. If you are released for disability, you are entitled to REAP benefits for 10 years from your date of eligibility.

Veterans eligible for REAP will most likely also be eligible for Chapter 1606. The REAP program pays more than Chapter 1606. You must weigh the benefits of retroactively electing REAP with the benefits of using it for future training.

How Much Does VA Pay?

The benefit payable under REAP is a percentage of the Chapter 30 three-year or more enlistment rate click HERE for rates based on the number of days of continuous service on active duty.

• If you serve 90 days but less than 1 year, you will receive 40% of active duty rate.
• A service period of 1 year but less than 2 years of active duty will pay 60% of the active duty rate.
• New legislation has made the 80% of the active duty rate available to anyone who was mobilized for at least 2 continuous years of active duty OR served multiple mobilizations totaling 3 years or more. All qualifying mobilization periods beginning on or after 9/11/2001 may be used to determine eligibility for the 80% rate.

IMPORTANT: Members on active duty are only entitled to be reimbursed for the actual cost of the tuition and fees of the courses taken (not to exceed the statutory rate.)

Note: This benefit is retroactive to September 11, 2001. A reservist attending school will be paid a percentage of the MGIB three-year rate in effect during the time in which he/she was enrolled. For example: The three-year full time MGIB rate in June of 2002 was $800. Someone being paid the 40% rate for school enrollment in June 2002 would receive $320 for full time monthly benefits.

$600 Buy-up Program

Some reservists may contribute up to an additional $600 to the GI Bill to receive increased monthly benefits. For an additional $600 contribution, you may receive up to $5400 in additional GI Bill benefits. You must be a member of a Ready Reserve component (Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, or Inactive National Guard) to pay into the "buy-up" program. For more information contact your personnel or payroll office. For a listing of the increased monthly rates click HERE.

How Do I Apply?

Your unit will give you DD Form 2384-1, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), when you become eligible for the program. Your unit will also code your eligibility into the Department of Defense personnel system so that VA may verify your eligibility.

New Applicant

You may apply by filling out VA Form 22-1990, Application for Education Benefits and submitting the completed form along with your DD-214 member 4, and a SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. You must also request transcripts from all previous education/training be sent to SVCC. Contact information for transcript requests may be found here.

You may also apply online at the Veterans On-Line Applications (VONAPP) website. If you choose to apply online, please print out the application and bring it along with your SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. We will notify the Veterans Administration Office of your method of applying for benefits.

Transfer Applicant

You can apply by filling out VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training. The original VA Form 22-1995 and SVCC Veteran Educational Benefit Cover Sheet must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Monthly Verification of Enrollment

All veterans using the REAP must verify their enrollment at the end of each month that they are receiving benefits for. Your enrollment can be verified starting on the last calendar day of the month by using our Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling the toll free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

How can I Prevent Overpayments and Penalties?

An overpayment is an incorrect benefit payment that is more than the amount to which you are entitled. You must promptly notify SVCC's Certifying Official of changes affecting your benefits, to prevent or reduce overpayments.

Carefully read all mail from the VA about the effective dates and monthly rate of your benefits. If you think you have received an incorrect check or direct deposit, contact the VA immediately. If you fail to contact the VA regarding a check or direct deposit for the wrong amount, you will be liable for repayment of any resulting overpayment.

If you apply for financial aid with SVCC and complete the FAFSA, you must declare your veteran benefits on the FAFSA or you will be liable for repayment of an overpayment.

How Can I Get More Information?

Visit the REAP Questions and Answers web page. Or Call toll free 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).