VA Educational Benefits

Reserve Educational Assistance
Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607)

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 ended REAP on November 25, 2015. If you're a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® in many ways has replaced REAP because it also provides educational assistance benefits for Reserve and National Guard members called to active duty on or after September 11, 2001, and in many cases provides a greater benefit than REAP.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® Eligibility

You may be eligible for education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these requirements must be true:

  • You served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
  • You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
  • You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
  • You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member

Note: If you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

How to Apply

  • Veterans who wish to use their VA educational benefits for the first time should apply online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ and complete a Form 22-1990 - Application for Educational Benefits, to receive a Certificate of Eligibility.
  • If educational benefits have previously been used complete a Form 22-1995 - Change of Program or Place of Training, online at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/ to receive a Certificate of Eligibility.
  • Submit the following items to the Rice University Office of the Registrar:
    • Certificate of Eligibility
    • Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)
    • Official academic transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities
    • VA Information Sheet
    • VA Degree Plan

Note: If you can conserve your GI Bill educational resources by using other federal, state, and university aid, you may have enough financial resources to attain a graduate (master's) degree. Always apply for federal, state, and university financial aid.