Chapter 1606 Reserve Select GI Bill Purpose
The Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606) is an education program. It provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard Reserves.
How to be eligible for Chapter 1606
First, one of these must be true:
- You have a 6-year service obligation (you agreed to serve 6 years) in the Selected Reserve, or
- You’re an officer in the Selected Reserve and you agreed to serve 6 years in addition to your initial service obligation. Note: Your obligation must have started after June 30, 1985, or for some types of training after September 30, 1990.
And all of these must also be true:
- You complete your initial active duty for training (IADT), and
- You get a high school diploma or certificate of equal value, like a High School Equivalency Diploma or GED, before finishing IADT (Note: You can’t use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement), and
- You stay in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit
(Note: You’ll still be eligible if you’re discharged from Selected Reserve service due to a disability that was not caused by misconduct)
How to obtain a CH 1606 Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Go to How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
- Scroll down and click the blue box that says ‘Apply for education benefits’ and answer the questions.
- Sign in to VA.gov using your preferred method of login (DS Login or ID.me) to start your application.
- Complete the selection process and submit your application!
After completing the application process. It can take the VA up to 30 DAYS to process your digital application, please be sure to check the status online every 2-3 business days.
NOTICE:
As of November 10th, 2025, Student Business Services manages all military education benefit applications, questions and/or inquiries. This includes federal military benefits and the Hazlewood Act exemptions.
All processes will now be completed through their office located on the third floor of West Hall.
For any questions regarding the processing or implementation of your benefits, including the status of submitted documents, please contact Texas Tech University Student Business Services (SBS) through the SBS Military Services portal: https://help.sbs.ttu.edu/TDClient/209/Portal/Requests/ServiceCatalog?CategoryID=2826 or by calling (806) 742-3272. They will be able to view your application, all documents and will be able to assist you further if needed.
Official communication is done through TTU Email. The SBS Office will contact you via your TTU email if additional documentation is required.
Students have up to the LAST DAY OF CLASSES to submit their application, please see the Texas Tech Academic Calendar.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ENSURE THEY HAVE SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION & UPLOADED NEEDED DOCUMENTS EACH SEMESTER.
If you need assistance obtaining your COE, please call VA education benefits (Monday – Friday, 8:00am -7:00pm ET) at 1(888) 442-4551 or visit va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Education and Training. The use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.