Attention Veterans: The Rudisill Decision and Your Benefits

Impact of Rudisill Supreme Court Decision on Veterans' Education Benefits

What does the Rudisill Decision mean for Your GI Bill Benefits?

The VA has changed how different periods of service impact your eligibility, thanks to the Rudisill Supreme Court decision. If you qualify for both the Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) through separate periods of service, you can now use benefits from both programs for up to 48 months total, for education or training. Bookmark this VA decision tree link for help determining your eligibility.

What is considered a "Separate" period of service?

A separate period of service means you reenlisted and served another term. It's not just an extension of your original enlistment.

Here's what doesn't count as a separate period of service:

• If your service was involuntarily extended because of stop-loss.
• If your duty was extended without an official reenlistment.

Why does this matter to you?

Before this decision, veterans who qualified for both GI Bills weren't always able to use the full education benefits from both. Now, if you served multiple enlistments and meet the requirements, you can stack your benefits and get more coverage for school or training—up to 48 months total.

Find out more about the Veteran Education Benefits available to you.

What should you do next?

If you think this applies to you or you aren't sure, it's worth checking in with the VA or a veterans' benefits advisor to see how you can take full advantage. Your service earned you these benefits—make sure you're utilizing everything you're entitled to! We're here to help you do that.

Check out the many bachelor's and master's degree and certificate course options open to you as a Bellevue University student. Bellevue University is one of the top Military-Friendly schools, with faculty and staff to support you all the way, many with military experience themselves.

From the Director's Desk

Stan Hawkins attended the University of Central Missouri as a student-athlete and went on to earn a B.S. in Management from National American University and an A.A.S. in Communications from the Community College of the Air Force. In 1990, Stan joined the United States Air Force and worked in USSTRATCOM, AFSOC, CENTAF, the NSA, and DIA. He retired from the USAF in 2010 as an Electronic Intelligence/Information warfare/Psychological Operations analyst. After retirement, Stan spent a year working for Lockheed Martin as a satellite payload operator/intelligence analyst at Buckley AFB, Colo. Stan began working in higher education in 2011 at National American University as a Director of Admissions. He joined Bellevue University in 2020 as Assistant Director of Military Programs and became Director of Government Operations in 2021. He oversees Bellevue's Military Programs as part of the Strategic Partnerships portfolio of key markets at the University. He was also named a member of the board of directors in 2023 of New Visions Homeless Services, which serves the homeless and hungry of the Council Bluffs and Omaha area.

Contact One of Us Today!

Email: [email protected], or call 1.866.676.3614.

Military-Veteran related resources we think you'll like.

Education That Is Relevant
Life After the Military: What's Next?
Can You Get a Degree While in the Military?
What You Should Look For in a Military-Friendly University