TSTC - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1607/REAP)

REAP (Chapter 1607 of title 10, U.S. Code) is a new education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.

If you attended classes for the full month you cannot verify your attendance before the last calendar day of the month. If you attended classes for a partial month you can verify your attendance anytime after your enrollment ends.

Eligibility will be determined by the Department of Defense (DoD) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as appropriate.  Generally, a member of a Reserve component who serves on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 under title 10, U.S. Code, for at least 90 consecutive days under a contingency operation, is eligible for REAP.  There is no specific time frame to use REAP; however, your eligibility generally ends when you leave the Selected Reserves. National Guard members are eligible if their active service extends for 90 consecutive days or more and their service is:

• Authorized under section 502(f), title 32, U.S. Code
• Authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency, and
• supported by federal funds.

Monthly Rates Effective August 1, 2008:

To Apply

1.  Submit VA Form 22-1990  (Application for Education Benefits) or apply online at:

http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp Note: Takes 3-6 weeks to receive notice of eligibility

2.      Provide your letter of eligibility to Texas State Technical College, Attn:  Financial Aid Office located at 1902 North Loop 499, Harlingen, TX  78586 for certification of your courses.  NOTE:  If student is under EA or ADN, courses will have to be approved by college or university from which the student is getting his degree from before they can be certified.

For More Information, Call Toll-Free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

or Visit Our Web Site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/.