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Active Duty GI BIll Eligibility

General Eligibility

  • You must have first enlisted on or after July 1, 1985
  • You must have had a pay reduction of $1,200.00
  • You must have had continuous active duty equal to or greater than your initial enlistment period
  • Some VEAP participants were able to convert to the GI Bill during special conversion programs

Special rules for early discharges

Persons who were discharged early for:

  • reduction in force
  • disability
  • hardship
  • a physical or mental condition which interfered with duty
  • a medical condition which existed prior to service

are eligible for GI Bill entitlement for a time period that is the same as the number of months served.

Persons discharged for Convenience of the Government must serve 20 months of a 2 year enlistment or 30 months of a 3 year enlistment to be eligible for GI Bill benefits.

If you are recalled to active duty:

Immediately notify your school and the VA, you may be able to keep the benefits you've already received and you may be eligible to extend your ending date for benefits.

Back to Active Duty GI Bill Information