Veterans, don’t leave your $1,200, degree, or trade certification on the table.
Following the 2024 Supreme Court decision in Rudisill v. McDonough, military veterans may be eligible for an additional year of GI Bill benefits—or a refund of the $1,200 they paid into the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). The ruling allows qualifying veterans up to 48 months of combined benefits under both the MGIB and Post-9/11 GI Bill, up from the previous 36-month cap.
To qualify, a veteran must have served at least two distinct periods of active duty: one that qualifies for the MGIB and another for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans who previously waived MGIB to use Post-9/11 benefits can now revoke that waiver and may regain access to additional funding.
This applies to more than just college. MGIB benefits can also be used to pay for approved trade schools, apprenticeships, and certification programs—an important option for veterans pursuing skilled careers in areas like HVAC, welding, and electrical work.
Michael Zuniga, a veteran education certifying official at Everett Community College (EvCC), said awareness is still low. “Most student veterans haven’t even heard of Rudisill,” he said. “I recommend everyone with multiple service periods just apply. The worst they’ll hear is no.”
Veterans who last received an education claim decision before August 15, 2018, must file VA Form 22-1995 and request a Rudisill review. In the remarks section, write: “Requesting Rudisill review for additional GI Bill eligibility based on multiple qualifying service periods.”
Those whose education decisions came after that date will be automatically reviewed. The deadline to request a new expiration date recalculation is October 1, 2030. After that, standard delimiting rules apply.
Key differences between the two GI Bills:
• MGIB pays a flat-rate monthly stipend directly to the veteran.
• Post-9/11 GI Bill pays tuition to schools, includes a housing allowance and book stipend.
• MGIB benefits are not transferable; Post-9/11 benefits may be transferred while on active duty.
Zuniga said that no EvCC student has received a new Certificate of Eligibility (COE) with Rudisill-related updates yet. “Students are applying, but the VA hasn’t communicated much about what to expect,” he noted.
If your COE shows only 36 months of entitlement but you served under both programs, you might qualify for 12 more months. Veterans seeking support can contact the EvCC Veterans Resource Center or call the VA Education Call Center at 1-888-GIBILL-1.
Veterans and dependents who want to share their Rudisill stories can email chris@mil2vet.com to contribute to future advocacy.
Whether you take the $1,200 and ride off into the sunset or go back to school or trade training, this ruling could change your life—or a fellow veteran’s. Please share it.
About the author:
Chris Elder is a retired Navy veteran, host of the Mil2Vet podcast, full-time college student, and licensed realtor and investor. He focuses on veteran advocacy and telling real stories that help vets get the support they’ve earned.
A longer version of this article was first published in the Everett Community College’s newspaper The Clipper.
