REAP Education Benefit Program
Chapter 1607 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) was established in 2005 as a Department of Defense education benefit program. This education benefit program was designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserve (Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and the Air National Guard) called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency. This education benefit program makes certain Reservists who were activated for at least 90 days after September 11, 2001 are either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefit through the REAP program.
Under the REAP education benefit program, you are entitled to receive 36 months of full-time education benefits, regardless of how long you served in a qualifying period of active duty. There is a maximum of 48 month total of combined benefits.
With so many education benefits programs available to active duty military, Guard and Reserve, Veterans, and their dependents, navigating what you’re education benefit programs you’re entitled to and what can and can’t be combined can be a daunting task. If you are eligible for more than one benefit, it would be a good idea for you to discuss your education plans with your VA or your Veteran Service Officer. It is also a good idea to double check that a state approving agency or VA has approved the program offered by a school, employer, or Joint Apprenticeship Committee that you’re interested in.
If you’re “entrepreneurial” and want to take courses to start your own business or grow your business to the next level, Reap will cover courses offered by any Small Business Development Center (SBDC), administered by the Federal Small Business Administration, or
by the National Veterans Business Development Corporation (also known as “The Veterans Corporation”), a federally chartered non-profit.