How to Use VA Benefits – Reservists/National Guard

Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve

The MGIB-SR program may be available to you if you are a member of the Selected Reserve. The Selected Reserve includes the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Eligibility for this program is determined by the Selected Reserve components. VA makes the payments for this program. You may be entitled to receive up to 36 months of education benefits. Your eligibility for the program normally ends on the day you leave the Selected Reserve. This program is also commonly known as Chapter 1606.

  • Apply to Western Washington University:
      • Decisions for admittance to Western are generally received 6 weeks after the application deadline.
      • Upon acceptance and confirmation of enrollment to Western contact the Veteran Services Office to schedule a new-student orientation.
  • Get the DD Form 2384-1:
      • Obtain your Notice of Basic Eligibility when you become eligible for the program from your unit and provide the completed form to our office. Your unit will also code your eligibility into the DoD personnel system so VA may verify your eligibility.
      • OR, if you have used the benefit previously, complete a Change of Program form and submit it to our office (Wilson Library 165)
  • Apply for Benefits:
      • You should receive a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the VA approximately 6 weeks after completing the application on va.gov. It is important to get a copy of this to the Veteran Service Office on campus (Wilson Library 165) as soon as you do in order to avoid finance and late charges on your account.
  • Apply for Financial Aid:
      • Apply even if you are receiving VA benefits!
  • Meet with an academic advisor to map out a plan of study.
      • Those with below 90 credits who have not yet decided on a major should contact the Academic Advising Center to begin working on their plan of study.
      • Those with 90 credits or above are required to declare a major to use their benefits and should schedule an appointment with an advisor in your major department.
  • Register for Classes:
      • Veterans receive priority registration after completing their first quarter.
  • Submit your Certification Request
      • If this certification request form is not submitted each quarter you wish to use benefits, you will not receive your benefits! This is what our office uses to get your information to the VA so that your payment can be disbursed in a timely manner.

Attend classes, build your community, and access any resources available to help you complete your educational goals.

Additional Resources

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance programs are branch specific and must be worked out between the service member pursuing the benefits and their respective Chain of Command/Education Counselor. Our office has no oversight regarding your Tuition Assistance benefits nor do we process any paperwork associated with the benefit. Service members need to first check with an education counselor for the specifics involving TA by visiting their local installation education office or by going online to a virtual education center.

  • Meet with an academic advisor to map out a plan of study.
      • Those with below 90 credits who have not yet decided on a major should contact the Academic Advising Center to begin working on their plan of study.
      • Those with 90 credits or above are required to declare a major to use their benefits and should schedule an appointment with an advisor in your major department.
  • Submit your Certification Request
    • If this certification request form is not submitted each quarter you use benefits, you will not receive priority registration for the quarter.
      • It is possible to use both your Tuition Assistance and Chapter 1606, or other VA educational benefits, throughout the academic school year however, both cannot be used concurrently.
      • For the DOD process, go to How to Use the Military Tuition Assistance Program, for more information regarding TA benefits.
      • For the Western process, go to Outreach and Continuing Education to fill out the proper form. Current rate is $166/credit.

Service-Specific Links